Taken from Spotify
Michael O'Shea | March 29th 2025
20-year-old indie pop artist Madelyn White is unabashedly herself in her artistry. With four songs currently released and an upcoming EP, the Annapolis-based musician has found a community online.
“It’s really beautiful on [Tiktok], because everybody’s trying to do the same thing,” White said in an interview with 4th Wall. “We all see each other.”
White’s cousin, lxybee, produces all of her music. This includes songs like defective model and locket, as well as White’s upcoming EP, Ask Again Later, which will be released this spring.
It’s set to include six tracks, three of which will be new, while the others will be existing singles. The title is inspired by the response from Magic 8 Balls, which have become a common theme in her social media branding.
A new track, White Swan, will be accompanied by White’s first music video. Her music has often been compared to Madison Beer, which she attributes to their shared inspiration from Ariana Grande. White said she’s also inspired by artists such as Tate McRae, Griff, and Alessi Rose.
Her fans, who largely find her through TikTok livestreams, have played a huge part in her growth. They connect her with other artists who in turn give her inspiration. White said she celebrates the community she’s built on TikTok.
“I’ve never thought of it as competitive, because there’s so much room for everybody,” she said.
The online platform serves as her main source of engagement with both new and returning fans, which she said is rewarding.
Her most streamed song, the day you left, was born from a collaboration with TikTok user Jake Shane, who had posted a video of a poem he wrote. White sang it in a response video, which Shane took notice of. Adding her own original verse and bridge, White created a song and credited Shane, who then shared it with his large social media following.
Despite how grateful she is for TikTok, White said she avoids writing songs catered to potential trends.
“I’ve always stopped myself from doing that because I don’t want to release something that doesn’t feel like me,” she said.
White described her songwriting process as poeticizing everyday language. Otherwise, she starts with a title and writes around that as a way to create a cohesive aesthetic that represents her.
White performed at Wildberry Farm Market in Crofton, Maryland on March 8, marking her first live performance since she began making music. Although she often sang at venues around Annapolis before COVID-19, it was her first time singing originals, she said.
“It was such a good confidence boost to know that I could do it again … It’s good to keep myself out of my comfort zone,” she said, adding that it was “magical” to connect with people in person.
Ask Again Later will be released soon, and is described by White as a summary of her teenage years. She attributes the title to the feeling of not knowing what she wants to do despite constant pressure.
“I had no idea what the fuck I want, and still don’t,” White said. “I really try to stay true to myself, because I don’t want to be fake. What’s the point of doing that if you’re gonna be fake?”
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