Maiah Manser, the Los Angeles-based singer, producer, and visual artist, peels back the layers of fame and self-identity in her boundary-breaking new EP, Fourth Wall, now via Arista Records. A potent fusion of pop, orchestral indulgence, and sharp lyricism, the eight-song project is an incredibly immersive affair, laying bare the glamour and the specters of the entertainment business.
Central to “Fourth Wall” is “Hollywood,” the project’s hub and a mirage that draws listeners in with an optimistic air before it splinters, fractioning into a chilling, cinematic soundscape. Ominous strings, fractured rhythms, and ghostly static interruptions echo the disillusionment of trying to attain fame and help establish the EP’s poetic themes.
Manser’s storytelling cuts deep on “Pretty Enough,” a searingly sensual track that functions as both a reclamation of self and a defiant response to beauty pressure and her Catholic upbringing. It thrums with raw, magnetic energy, making it one of the EP’s high points. “With a Smile,” the viral hit that racked up over 11 million global streams, similarly employs its hauntingly skeletal melodies to pummel you with emotion orally and offers proof of why it connected itself to millions.
Before the EP’s arrival, Manser demonstrated her versatility with “You,” a bright but icy anthem of self-affirmation that shoots down doubt with glistening synths and a vibe of cool detachment. Meanwhile, “Bad Habits” combines futuristic Western influences with a hyper-modern edge, reflecting the duality of Maiah’s artistry, where old-school storytelling meets the digital age.
Maiah Manser explained that this EP is a journey through the dreams and realities of fame, the darker sides of the industry, and the importance of staying true to oneself. With “Fourth Wall,” she destroys the illusion, creating a world as cinematic as it is intimately personal.
Connect with Maiah Manser on Instagram – @maiahmanser
