Moss: Maya Hawkes’ Upcoming Album and What to Expect from the Breathtaking Songwriter

Stranger Things star Maya Hawke, a 24-year-old singer-songwriter, actress, and daughter Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, is days away from the release of her new record, Moss.

As of September 20th, the Moss singles titled “Sweet Tooth” and “Thérèse” were joined by the unannounced release of “Luna Moth.” It is already clear from the three songs that Hawkes soft voice and illustratively written lyrics will bring likewise gut-wrenching, celestially written, and frisson-triggering music with the rest of the album.

“Put a needle through a Luna Moth

The one I crushed and let you down

I left it on your doorstep

But I didn’t stick around

To watch you smile at an ugly thing

To try and ease my guilt

Watch you looking at a broken wing

Like it could be rebuilt”

` -”Luna Moth” by Maya Hawke

Hawke, having recently performed shows as supporting act for indie/alternative artist Faye Webster whilst in the spotlight for her role in Stranger Things, is the epitome of versatile, authentic talent. She has become the peoples new infatuation and a light on the genuine celebrities that are sometimes looked over. Amid her raspy but soothing voice and the bona fide presence she carries, is the person that brought characters like Robin Buckley to life. Hawke is known for her role as the sarcastic, lesbian, and snarky Hawkins High School Student and more recently played the also queer, and vindictive Eleanor in Netflix’s latest film Do Revenge, starring opposite of Riverdale actress Camilla Mendes and Euphoria actor Austin Abrams.

Maya’s music carries luggages of meaning that from just one listen, is clear to be genuine and from the depths of her heart. If you aren’t convinced, simply look to the first released track, “Thérèse'.” While it may take focused listening or a detailed explanation to grasp– it is worth it because Hawkes songwriting is breathtaking. Inspired by the Balthus painting, Thérèse Dreaming, Hawke sings about what she sees in the young girl, Thérèse’, mind. The painting is an infamously controversial piece– mainly regarding the sexualization of the young girl through her exposed posture. Similar to the painting, some may perceive Hawkes NSFW music video for “Thérèse” as a provocative, sexual video; but the reality of the song, in Hawkes words, is that young girls are “bombarded with negative and doctored images of bodies all the time, whether we want to be or not.”

“Milk matches her underwear
Get her down
Take her off the wall”

` -”Thérèse” by Maya Hawke

The listener gets an immediate sense that the viewer sees pieces of themselves in Thérèse. The division between Thérèse—the muse—and Maya, along with women everywhere, vanishes. Hawke acknowledges that some may not have the capacity to see the beauty– hence the lyrics: “Thérèse does not belong to you. The horses, cars, and cowboys do.”

Hawkes lyrics speak volumes on a generational struggle and, as Hawke told IndieWire, “how hard we have to fight against internal and external forces just to love each other, love ourselves, love our bodies.”

“I want to be as versatile and experimental as I possibly can and keep working on my craft, even if now it has to be in the public eye,” Hawke stated in a 2019 interview with Glamour. Anyone reading the article in 2022, may wonder how Hawke feels after the release of Stranger Things season four and the rising recognition of her beautifully executed music. Although there is no direct piece of her mind to end the wondering, it can only be assumed that by her consistently serene attitude, whether it be on stage or in front of a camera, she would still back that quote.

Set to be released this Friday, September 23rd, Hawkes album will include 10 additional songs that are bound to overwhelm listeners' emotions in the most complex and beautiful of ways.

Will you be listening to Moss? Comment below.