We Speak Pop

Natalie Gray opens up on mental health with ‘The Me I Pretend To Be’, out now via Aztec Records!

Published

12 months ago

May 24, 2023

Don Reed

THE ME I PRETEND TO BE is the latest single from Synth-Pop artist Natalie Gray. Grabbing inspiration from some of Natalie’s favourite artists such as Cyndi Lauper and Madonna, as well as more recent artists such as Paramore, Kings Elliot and Lawrence, this song embodies the desperation of losing yourself and hiding behind a smile and a cliche whilst it feels that your world could crumble at any second.

Following the success of Natalie’s previous single “Fire” supported by BBC introducing, THE ME I PRETEND TO BE steps away from her usual upbeat and colourful sound and brings a more honest and nostalgic feel, touching on the reality of living with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, a theme that a lot of us can relate to. This latest track is Natalie’s first time opening up about her own personal experience with living with PTSD and struggling to find her old self.

Instead of reaching for your hairbrush and throwing your best 80s dance moves infront of the mirror, THE ME I PRETEND TO BE will have you opening your old photo albums and coming face to face with your own demons.

Natalie has teamed up once again with childhood friend and personal agony aunt Jack Craig, (the producer behind “Dance Floor” and “One In A Million”) to create this vulnerable and heartstring grabbing song.

THE ME I PRETEND TO BE comes after Natalie’s first ever UK tour “TAKE BACK THE BEAT” which raised money for Women’s Aid to help support survivors of domestic abuse and violence, a charity very close to Natalie’s heart.

Natalie Gray on Social Media: @natgraymusic

We Speak Music

Emerging Artist Pilar Victoria Drops Mesmerizing Track ‘Headphones’

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

Joni Jones

Rising artist Pilar Victoria is known for blending upbeat pop with melancholic undertones. Her latest single, “Headphones”, is here, and it’s a melodic journey through love and loss that’s bound to resonate with anyone who’s ever faced heartbreak.

Pilar Victoria, who grew up in Argentina and now calls Texas home, has a unique multicultural background that seeps into every note she sings. Her music is a beautiful tapestry of soulful melodies and deeply personal lyrics, reflecting her rich heritage and diverse experiences.

Her musical journey started young. Pilar Victoria was writing songs and playing instruments by the age of 11. Despite strict restrictions on social media usage, her passion couldn’t be contained. She began posting snippets of her music on TikTok, quickly gaining a loyal following. “I wasn’t allowed to be on social media growing up, but I decided to be anyways,” Pilar Victoria reveals. “I posted small clips of my songs on TikTok and got a lot of positive attention. It led me to release music on Spotify. I even had to convince my parents to support me financially for the distributor service.”

Now, with “Headphones”, Pilar offers us her take on love and loss. The song, co-written with Nowels in Santa Monica, combines the melancholy of heartbreak with an infectious pop beat. Pilar explains, “I wrote this song during a tough time. I wanted to block out all the pain and intense emotions I was feeling, and putting on headphones became a metaphor for tuning out the world and being alone with my thoughts.”