There are certain underground artists I have followed for a long time and could never get enough of. I feel like we all have those artists we love and have always thought deserved total stardom. Maya J’an is one of those artists for me. I came across her years ago on Instagram, and have been a big fan since. Maya J’an actually used to release music under the name Maya B. She started dropping music in the late 2010s, with songs like ‘Selenas,’ Dollar To A Diamond,’ and ‘Getty Woah’ gaining traction online. Her biggest single, ‘Sink,’ which featured SAINt JHN, came out in 2020. These tracks really demonstrate how diverse her sound can be. She toes the line between Pop, R&B, and Alternative Hip Hop in a way that is so unique. For a few years in the 2020s, Maya J’an switched her focus to songwriting for others instead of dropping her own music. I am super glad, though, that she is finally back to releasing music as an artist, again. I wanted to give some thoughts on her new single, ‘cul-de-sac,’ below. Please let me know in the comments what you think of Maya J’an and ‘cul-de-sac,’ and also comment any other underrated tracks I should check out!

Right from the jump, I have to say songs like ‘cul-de-sac’ are what make Maya J’an so special. This song is so cool and invigorating. The melody for this one is honestly just so heavenly sounding. The synths that drive this one are so sweet and deep, and make me feel like I am floating when I listen to this track. I love how they become more subdued in the verses and more intense in the hook, as it gives the song so much life. The beat for ‘cul-de-sac’ consists of clapping that feels very adjacent to Flamenco music. When I hear this beat, it sort of reminds me of Rosalía. Maya J’an’s vocals on ‘cul-de-sac’ are as breathtaking as the melody. Her breathy tone is so inviting and gives this song such a warm feeling. On ‘cul-de-sac,’ Maya J’an paints a vivid picture. This song is a love letter to the city of ‘Pasadena,’ which was burned down in the fires last year. She sings of the little things about where she grew up that she loves. She doesn’t want to let go of these memories or let her city be forgotten. ‘cul-de-sac’ is a really awesome way for Maya J’an to come back to her solo music career, and I am sure this one will be on repeat for me in the foreseeable future.