Chloe Mayse’s new single, “High School,” is moving and compelling, like a journey at the very core of all trials in teenage life and the quest for self-acceptance. From the get-go with the line “I thought I was different,” Chloe’s voice is seasoned with sincerity as you quickly get pulled into her world. The song tiptoes between contagious rhythms and deep emotions, unfiltered by the artist’s versatility.
Chloe Mayse is a Toronto-based alt-pop singer-songwriter who self-admittedly brings her half-Irish, Chinese-Trinidadian culture to her stripes in music. Hers had been an early journey into music, with singing beginning at two years old and her mastering of various instruments — guitar, piano, ukulele, and bass guitar — by the time she was a teenager. A defining moment in the shaping of Chloe’s musical style and career was winning a 2014 singing competition, subsequently leading to a performance with her idols Tegan and Sara at the Juno Awards.
“High School” deep dives into her high school years in an all-girls Catholic school and the turmoil that came with figuring out her sexuality in such a conservative setting. Chloe’s storytelling is raw and relatable, encapsulating secret crushes, unspoken feelings, and the most intense desire for acceptance.
The production of “High School” complements Chloe’s lyrical narrative perfectly. The setting is contemporary but, simultaneously, classic, filled with lush instrumentation and the depth of emotion of the song. Chloe’s vocal performance shows quiet strength and vulnerability, which makes her music so compelling.
Her activism for the queer community and awareness of mental health are the things that shine with parents because of her music and overall public persona. Her songs are like diary entries, a look at how close, raw, and almost cruel life can be to an individual—a peek into her life and the struggles she has to go through. This realness is precisely what makes “High School” the song that it is.
“High School” and its video bring to life a new chapter in Chloe’s musical journey. It is incredibly evident in the depth of emotion expressed, that the track lies dear to Chloe. In these ways, Chloe Mayse continues to inspire and connect with listeners through her music to provide a voice for those who might feel different yet, at the same time, wonderfully unique, just like her.
You can find more of Chloe Mayse at:
You can listen to ‘High School’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.