Taken from her upcoming concept album exploring “the slow climb out of co-dependency and emotional abuse,” how to be loved is the new single from Ariyel.

By Graeme Smith

How to be loved is a quiet and reflective track opening soft and minimal before the emotional is ramped up by the vocals. Observational lyrics draw us in, speaking of a kind of love that is powerful but not necessarily healthy. The rawness and vulnerability of it all is captivating and Ariyel’s voice has a quality about it that makes her music stand out. As the track hits its chorus, we are awash with its fuzzy alt pop layers, providing generous helpings of catharsis.

“This song started as a project for a song-writing class, back when I was in a relationship that was already unravelling,” Ariyel explains. “I remember my professor urging me to expand the story — to let the character escape in the end. I told him, ‘No… I don’t think she does.’

“It’s a love letter to the people we were, and the decisions we made when we already knew we were doomed. You leave when you’re ready, and you are just as much of a person when you’re trapped in that cycle as you are when you’re healing outside of it and finally beginning to understand why you stayed.”

Clearly, the Colorado, USA-based artist doesn’t mind getting raw with her music, and it makes it all the more compelling as a result. Combine that with her skill as a storyteller and her irresistible performance style, and it’s quite the cocktail. I can’t wait to hear how the story further unfolds across the album. It’s set for release later in 2025.

How to be loved is out now and you can give it a listen below.