One thing about TEYA is that you can never be sure in which direction she will take her music. One thing you can be sure about, on the other hand, is that the risk always pays off. Her newest release ‘To-Do List’, which came out on July 12th, 2024, is proof of that.
While TEYA usually dabbles in the realm of pop, this track starts off with brass instrumentals and some bongos, setting the scene of a Caribbean sunset. Right off the bat, this song is incredibly catchy and fun to listen to – however, there is more to this upbeat tune than it may seem at first.
Just like all of TEYA’s other songs, ‘To-Do List’ bursts with witty, layered lyricism. It once again becomes apparent that TEYA is constantly participating in songwriting camps all over Europe as each new release is a testament to her ever-improving skills. But the fact that she’s always hopping from songwriting camp to songwriting camp, releasing song after song while also putting a lot of time into promoting her work, confirms exactly what she sings in ‘To-Do List’: she has not taken a break in a very long time.
A common occurrence in TEYA’s songwriting is her tongue-in-cheek commentary on serious issues. In this case, the issue in question is overworking yourself and being overworked by your environment. In typical TEYA fashion, she smartly disguises the discussion of this issue in seemingly simplistic, sarcastic statements. One example is the line “I got things to do; like write a hit or clean my room”: It’s sassy, it’s funny, but it also alludes to the high expectations artists face while still having to deal with everyday tasks. The stark contrast between the illusion of the glamorous pop star life and the actual reality is a recurring theme in TEYA’s music.
However, it’s not just the lyrics that make this song stand out, it’s their superb delivery, too. TEYA’s velvet voice further emphasises the sass of the first verse and the high-pitched backing vocals in the chorus can be seen as symbolic for the mean little voices in your head that tell you to get things done, even when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
The positive reactions this song has received since its release are no surprise; TEYA already debuted ‘To-Do List’ when she supported Luke Black on tour and the song immediately hyped up the audience. It seems like once again, TEYA has managed to create an equally thought-provoking and danceable track, a combination she has made her specialty.
Written by: Melanie Falkensteiner
Edited by: Nèri Cliteur
