Liya Shapiro’s music has such a raw honesty about it that it can’t be ignored, so I knew I had to share her latest single, Hold Me Tight, with you.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Errin Yesilkaya

It was in June 2025 that Liya Shapiro’s music first made it to our blog. Her dramatic single, Burning Bridges, captured the slow descent of mental breakdown through mournful soft rock. So, how does her new track, Hold Me Tight, compare?

It’s a fiery one, opening simple with shades of piano and Shapiro’s attitude-filled vocals. After the first verse, it grows in rock stature, bringing driving percussion, edgy guitar and plenty of soul.

To bring the track together, Shapiro went back to lyrics she wrote seven years prior, a time when she was struggling to move on from heartbreak. The chorus came later and shifted its mood from sadness to longing. Ultimately, despite the subject matter, Hold Me Tight has an uplifting feel, giving us honest emotion and catharsis.

The London-based Liya Shapiro is quickly becoming a favourite of mine. Her ear for a hook, and the way her lyrics feel easily relatable, makes her a force on the underground pop rock scene. Keep an eye on her.

Hold Me Tight is out now, and you can listen to it below.

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