Emily Simonian Delivers An Honest And Catchy New Pop Single
- R.A.G.
- 6 minutes ago
- 8 min read
A new single from Emily Simonian most certainly comes through as a radio-friendly pop single that manages to blend elements of contemporary, hinted just underneath the surface, but also an amazing combination of old and new-school approaches.
One of my favorite things about this track is that it does feature certain kinds of key and synth sounds that are sort of sprinkled in the production of the track, and they give off this almost vintage '80s feel, which works amazingly with the rest of the song.
"Nine Lives" is also riddled with character, which is something I absolutely adored about it. This is a song that focuses a little bit on the balance of going through life, making certain kinds of decisions, and even being okay with getting risky about things.
I like this attitude. It definitely portrays honesty in a way that makes you feel good. It's got an amazing balance in terms of its lightheartedness, which it certainly is. This is not a song that takes itself too seriously, and I like that, but it does touch on topics that have to do with certain paths you take in life and where they bring you.
This goes a long way for me because it showcases an artist who can be truthful about things and let plenty of inner thought come out for all to soak in.
Because the track gives off so much heavy-handed personality, you end up connecting with it in different areas.
It's also very fun, colorful; it's got a vivaciousness that goes from the instrumentation and songwriting through to the vocals, and the whole thing has a damn near perfect energy to it.
All kinds of different keys and synthesizers are going on throughout the song, and some of them give a little bit of vastness in its undertone, while others are more upfront, focusing on flavorful rhythm and catchy hooks.
Emily definitely digs in during the choruses, which is something that hits hard. It's a catchy hook that bounces around in your brain for hours or even days after the song has ended. The only way to satiate that is to go and listen to it again. This is all signs of a great single, of course, but I feel like Emily's just natural like this.
It's all about how she articulates her lyrics and the phrasing of them. During that course, she bounces those words perfectly in between the beats, and it becomes a rhythm within a rhythm.
You can tell there was a lot of thought that went into the little details, especially in terms of the production, but also in how she performs.
She puts a bit of heart into the performance vocally, and it gives the song an extra vibrancy that resonates and lines up really well with the instrumentation and aesthetic of this pop-riddled single.
Again, I think it's really cool how she incorporates all these elements of old-school pop and a fresh, more current feel. It seems like such a natural thing for her, and the way the song was written and built really helps push that amazingly.
It's fully danceable, loads of fun, and topics that some of us go through in different parts of life. This track feels like the soundtrack to a chapter in her life, and this shows that Emily is most certainly an artist who gives pieces of herself into her music.
As I mentioned earlier, she does this in a light-hearted way, still giving the song this uplifted, pop-coated feel, but it's the character-driven aspect that really thrives here.
As the song unfolds, it builds up in different ways. The beats and percussion start to build up, leaving less space between rhythms; there are also more keys, and loads of these backing vocals that come in and sort of float through the song's ether.
This definitely gives the track some depth and amazing layers. The combination of tones and textures, especially between all the keys and synthesizers along with her vocals, just sound great together.
Those backing vocals really add a lot to the song as well. It really helps build the climactic element of the song later on.
You can tell there's a bit of emotion behind this one, and that it came from someplace authentic. I feel like it's that personality you end up getting attached to the most, and still, it's displayed with a great color and energy that you can't turn away from.
This is also a great song to introduce yourself to the artist with. However, there are some other singles she's released recently that are pretty outstanding it including one dropped earlier this year called "Body Language", which showcases different sides to her personality, a lot of bubbliness which feels good to listen to, and different areas of songwriting and instruments that still lend a great hand to her natural pop approach.
It's easy to hear that she branches out here and there and isn't afraid to create and write music that is completely infectious.
One thing is for sure: the energy she gives off on all of her music is really a key element. It's totally addicting, and I would most certainly not miss this single or the others.
Upon listening to "Nine Lives", I know I wanted to have a chat with the artist to find out where this actually came from and what might be coming up next for her.
So, while you listen to this track, have a read through of our interview with Emily Simonian below.
Check this all out right now, and you'll hear exactly what I mean.
Where did this release come from and what is it all about?
"Nine Lives" is about reinvention, second chances, and having the courage to start over. The title comes from a long-running joke among friends and family that I've lived several lifetimes already—different places I've called home, different creative pursuits, and different chapters that have each shaped who I am. I started out as a singer-songwriter, then built a career in mental health, wrote a book, eventually found my way back to music through musical theatre, and now I'm balancing all of those worlds. Every chapter has taught me something, but music has always been the constant.
The song imagines a world where we get to experience life over and over again, but underneath the fantasy it's asking a very human question: What would happen if we stopped waiting and started living the life we really want? I also drew inspiration from the novel The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, which explores the main character living alternate versions of life and the importance of embracing the present. That theme resonated with me deeply.
Did you have an outside producer on this track, or was it all you?
I worked with producer, Alfredo Reed, who is based in Argentina, and he's incredible. He also produced my single, "Inside Your Mind." One of the things I appreciate most about working with Alfredo is that he really understands how to take a songwriter's vision and elevate it without losing the heart of the song. Alfredo has a great instinct for creating modern pop productions that feel polished and commercially compelling, while still feeling authentic to me. We've developed a great creative relationship, and I'm so grateful to have worked with him on this.
Are you performing live right now?
Not currently, but I'm always open to performing live. Right now I've been focusing all of my energy on writing, recording, and releasing new music, along with developing my musical theatre projects. Since I've spent the past several years creating so much material, my priority has been getting those songs out into the world. That said, I absolutely love connecting with audiences, so I'd be open to live performances if the right opportunities come along.
Are you performing live at all?
At this exact moment, my focus is on my original musical, When Two of Us Meet. It’s about to have its first staged production, which is incredibly exciting and has required a lot of my attention. While I'm not actively booking live shows right now, performing is definitely something I'd consider when the timing is right.
How did this all start for you as a songwriter?
I've been writing songs since I was a teenager. I studied contemporary composition in college and early on, I thought music would be my only full-time career, but life took me in a different direction. I got my master's degree in psychology and worked in the mental health field for awhile, but still continued to songwrite.
Truthfully, releasing my own music again wasn't originally part of the plan. My goal was to write musicals, and songs for other artists. But after working with several mentors in the industry, I kept hearing the same advice: release your own music first. It's much easier for collaborators, music supervisors, and artists to discover your work when it's available on streaming platforms rather than sitting in an email that may never get opened. Choosing to release both my musicals and my pop music under my real name, rather than creating a separate artist persona, was also a branding decision. It felt more authentic to say, "Here's everything I create." It may span different genres, but it's all part of the same creative voice.
It's also been incredibly therapeutic. I dealt with a bit of imposter syndrome—and sometimes still do—because I genuinely see myself more as a songwriter behind the scenes than as a recording artist. I'm not chasing pop stardom; I'm just deeply passionate about songwriting. Releasing my own music again has required a lot of vulnerability, but thankfully the response has been so encouraging, and that's made the experience even more rewarding.
These days I get to combine all of my passions. I write pop music, compose musicals, and I still work as a licensed therapist. Much of my clinical work is centered around helping other creatives with confidence, self-esteem, perfectionism, and performance anxiety, which feels like a meaningful way to support the artistic community while continuing to pursue my own creative path.
Are you already working on anything new at the moment?
Always! In less than two weeks my original musical When Two of Us Meet will make its first staged debut in Florida, so a lot of my creative energy is going into that right now. It's a story that follows an Armenian family's journey to America in the early twentieth century, and seeing it come to life on stage is a huge milestone. After it debuts, I’ll be editing, refining, and continuing its development. Beyond that, I'm writing another new musical, and continuing work on a full-length pop album. I function best when I'm juggling several creative projects at once–it makes me feel most alive.
What would you say people can expect from this record?
The upcoming album is going to showcase a lot of different sides of me as a songwriter. The songs span a wide emotional and sonic spectrum. You'll hear darker pop, like my song "Inside Your Mind," bright retro-inspired dance tracks like my second single "Body Language," and then more stripped-back singer-songwriter moments. My hope is that listeners will feel like they've gotten to know different parts of who I am as a songwriter.
There are such incredible approaches on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
My modern pop influences include artists like Lady Gaga, Sia, and Ellie Goulding. I really admire artists who combine strong songwriting with bold artistic identities.
My lifelong influences are broad. I grew up loving The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John, and of course I've been strongly influenced by musical theatre.
What's next for you now?
The biggest focus is continuing to release new music while also writing more musicals. Earlier today I was in a virtual pitch session with a music supervisor, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that some of my songs eventually find homes in film or television. Ultimately, I just want to keep creating. Whether that's pop records, theatre, or writing for other artists, I'm happiest when I'm making music and finding new ways to tell stories.
Before we go, is there anything you'd like to express to fans and listeners?
Just a huge thank you. Supporting independent artists truly makes a difference. Every stream, playlist add, social media share, or recommendation to a friend helps us keep creating.
There’s never been a better time to discover independent music, and I'm incredibly grateful that people have chosen to spend time with mine. I hope "Nine Lives" reminds listeners that it's never too late to reinvent yourself, take a chance on something new, or find your way back to whatever makes you feel most alive.
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