Maya Ixta – Diary Entries (2024)
Maya Ixta is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and arts advocate who has released her debut EP, Diary Entries, which is a soul-baring journey through time and emotion.
Diary Entries invites listeners into her emotional world of a deeply vulnerable body of work. The title, fittingly, draws from her personal experiences showcasing her creative expression delicately and beautifully. Each track is a window into her inner world from heartache to joy, grief to empowerment. The emotional tribulations throughout the tracklist explore these universal themes with raw emotionality and striking honesty.
The journey begins with ‘First Entry’, a hauntingly beautiful acapella track. Ixta’s soulful vocals, delicately layered in harmonies, take centre stage here, setting a deeply introspective tone for the rest of the EP. The sound of paper tearing from her diary at the end of the track feels like a powerful metaphor for the vulnerability she shares through her songwriting process – revealing, editing, and transforming her thoughts into art.
The EP’s lead single, ‘Time’, is a standout track. This bilingual song offers an alluring mix of Ixta’s velvety vocals and a captivating guitar solo by her mentor and producer, Daniel Jimenez Alfandor. The song’s Spanish-inspired rhythmic nuances add richness to its message about making time for oneself amidst the rush of life. In its lyrical depth and sonic elegance, ‘Time’ doubles as a gentle reminder to nurture mental well-being while embracing life fully.
‘Little Things’ shifts the tone, encouraging listeners to slow down and appreciate the often-overlooked moments. It opens with whispered vocals that build into warm, lush harmonies, evoking the ebb and flow of ocean waves. The evolving instrumentation mirrors the lyrical message as distorted vocals warp into intensity before melting into calm. This delicate balance speaks to finding peace by focusing on positivity – a sentiment beautifully captured in the line, “Little things are all I ever notice / and simple things are all I never focus on.”
One of the EP’s most heartfelt tracks, ‘Too Soon’, is dedicated to Ixta’s late grandfather, her Abuelito. The piano-led ballad swells with grief and acceptance, capturing the sense of loss and the bittersweet nature of remembering a loved one. Ixta’s voice rises and falls with the emotional weight of the song, her vulnerability drawing listeners into their own experiences with grief, offering a sense of solidarity in sorrow.
Produced by Jimenez-Afanador, ‘someone is you’ is a poignant celebration of a once-in-a-lifetime friendship. With its tender acoustic intro, the song gradually builds to a soaring crescendo of layered vocals. Ixta’s declaration – “no more searching / no more hurting / on my own” – is both empowering and deeply emotional, an ode to the beauty of human connection and the healing power of love.
The EP closes on a high note with ‘Say You’re Mine’, a pop anthem that channels the energy of artists like Billie Eilish. Co-produced with her teacher Joleen Bell, the song starts softly but grows in intensity matching the message of standing in one’s power and rejecting societal moulds. With pulsating drums, bold bass lines, and a memorable refrain, the track becomes a declaration of self-worth and independence, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves.
Diary Entries is a striking debut that showcases Ixta’s growth as both an artist and an individual. With its deeply personal lyrics and innovative soundscapes, the EP offers introspection and empowerment in equal measure. Whether exploring themes of grief, friendship, or self-discovery, Diary Entries leaves a lasting emotional impact, solidifying Maya Ixta’s place as a dynamic voice in the music industry.
Find out more about Maya Ixta on her Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
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