- Words Darcy Culverhouse
Fresh off the release of 'Tiny Voice', alt-pop’s fearless truth-teller Mae Stephens opens up on vulnerability, viral success, and stepping into her next chapter.
“I want to be the soundtrack to people’s lives,” Mae Stephens says plainly, not like it’s a lofty pop star ambition, but more like a quiet mission she’s already halfway through. At 22, the British artist is doing just that: soundtracking heartbreaks, late-night spirals, subtle wins, and everything in between with a brand of alt-pop that’s deeply emotional, weirdly funny, and entirely her own.
Her breakout moment came in 2023 with ‘If We Ever Broke Up’, a distorted disco-pop revenge anthem that went viral for good reason. Snappy, sharp-edged lyrics about red flags and wasted time, wrapped in a chaotic-yet-calculated sound that made catharsis feel cool. The track hit No.13 on the UK charts and launched Mae from supermarket shifts in Kettering to label deals, festival slots and collabs with Meghan Trainor and The Chainsmokers. But even as the streams soared past 500 million, her music didn’t lose its bite.
Since day one, Mae’s made a point of being unfiltered. Her discography doesn’t shy away from messiness; it leans into it. Joy, rage, regret and relief all sit side by side, often in the same track. It’s emotional oversharing, but polished enough to play on repeat. No feeling is too much, no subject too niche.
Her latest single ‘Tiny Voice’ leans fully into that ethos. It’s a glossy pop anthem about the voice in your head that won’t shut up – the one that rewinds conversations, questions every decision and spirals at 2 am. But instead of drowning in it, Mae flips the chaos into a sugar-rush chorus and confessional verses that feel like a diary cracked open.
As she rides the wave of success following ‘Tiny Voice, ‘ we caught up with her to talk about early setbacks, emotional resilience, and why embracing the chaos is sometimes the clearest path forward.
‘Tiny Voice’ kicks off with an instantly addictive hook and hilariously chaotic confessions. What first sparked the idea for this song, and how many of those intrusive thoughts actually come from real life?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had impulsive and intrusive thoughts. From throwing my ice cream to genuinely wondering what birdseed tasted like, my brain has always had this tiny voice telling me what to do, like a giggling child laughing at me to get into trouble.
You’ve described it as a “tongue-in-cheek exploration” of random thoughts. How do you strike the balance between humour and vulnerability, and why was it important to keep the track light-hearted rather than heavy?
Our brains are incredible things! However, they can be unkind to us at times… Many people suffer from impulsive and intrusive thoughts that can cause harm to others or themselves, and this can bring them down. I wanted to show light of the random and funny things our brains can suggest to not only tell people they’re not alone, but also to show the funny, kooky side of our minds
You worked with Pablo Bowman and Grammy-winning producer, Lostboy, on the track. What was the creative chemistry like in the studio?
It was such an awesome session! I’d worked with Lostboy once before, so there were still a few first-time nerves in the room. Like most sessions, we started off just chatting, and then the phrase ‘Tiny Voice’ came up. As soon as I heard it, something clicked in my brain, and we were off. The idea came to life so naturally, and we pretty much dove straight in from there!
And did anyone else end up sharing their own intrusive thoughts?
I’ve had fans message me to tell me their intrusive and impulsive thoughts, and I must say it’s so refreshing to hear other people’s and have a giggle amongst ourselves! Something as small as a silly thought can really bring people together.
You’ve been refreshingly open about being neurodivergent, with your 2024 track ‘ADHD’ celebrating that part of you. How have those experiences shaped your creative process and your drive to spotlight empowerment and authenticity in your music?
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on myself and the people around me. Turning 22 felt like a real turning point. It made me question who I am, what I stand for, and whether I’m truly connecting with others through my music. I’m constantly evaluating my work to make sure it feels real, not just for me, but for those listening. And as the world slowly begins to open its eyes to neurodivergent experiences, it brings me to tears. For the first time, I feel like people get it. Like I can finally be understood.
Music has always been my therapy. It’s been my ‘release button’ — especially when words failed or when no one quite understood what was going on inside my head. I wrote songs as my way of communicating with the world.
And now, knowing that those songs are resonating with people? That’s everything. It’s enough to keep me writing for the rest of my life — whether it’s to help someone through a breakup or help them discover a part of themselves they didn’t know existed. I want to be the soundtrack to people’s lives.
From supermarket shifts to 500M+ streams and sharing stages with BLACKPINK, P!NK, and Tom Grennan—it’s been a whirlwind. Was there a specific moment where it all really hit you?
I think when I started travelling, and especially going to the USA. I’ve travelled a bit in my life on holidays and city breaks with my parents, but nothing prepares you for finally doing it on your own with the sole purpose of doing it as a job. I remember sitting on the porch of my Airbnb in Pasadena thinking, ‘This is absolutely mental, how did we even get here?”
‘If We Ever Broke Up’ went viral and hit No.13 in the UK charts. How did that kind of overnight success impact you creatively and as a person?
It took a massive toll on me mentally. Having so much exposure so fast with no time to prepare mentally was a massive hurdle for me to overcome. I had a real writer’s block in the first year due to the pressure of trying to chase the golden goose and find another song that would do as well as IWEBU but over the past few years it’s been a real sense of calm coming to terms with the fact that all my music is valid and that I can release the music I love.
Your music mixes brutally honest lyrics with a sharp sense of humour. Where does that fearless, relatable storytelling come from, and why do you think pop needs more of it?
Growing up, I didn’t have a voice of my own. I was relentlessly bullied just for being myself, and that kind of pain cuts deep. When your personality is mocked for simply existing, it makes you question who you are. Eventually, I started reshaping myself, trying to build a version of me that felt safer. Then lockdown hit, the day before my 17th birthday, and it felt like I got hit by a truck. I was stuck with those thoughts, with no escape. What I went through mentally during that time is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Now, I stand here as an artist with a voice, speaking directly to the kids who feel the way I once did. You can rise above it. You can do anything you set your mind to. The opinions that once tore you down? They don’t mean a thing out in the real world. I’ll always speak the truth about how cruel school can be — and how brutal kids can be when no one’s watching. Because those stories matter. And so do the people living them.
You’ve collaborated with major names like Meghan Trainor, The Chainsmokers, and Alok. What have you learnt from those experiences, and who’s on your dream list to work with next?
Every collaboration I’ve been part of has felt surreal, like stepping out of my everyday life and into a dream. Going from complete normality to sharing a stage with The Chainsmokers or meeting incredible people like Meghan is something I’m still wrapping my head around. What I’ve learnt through all of this is that every “celebrity” you see on TV or on stage is just a person, with real emotions, real thoughts, and real lives. Meeting Meghan and her beautiful family reminded me of that. Yes, she’s a brilliant artist, but she’s also an amazing mother, wife, and friend to those around her. She’s so grounded, and I’d love love love to work with her again! I’ve also always dreamed of collaborating with Remi Wolf, Sigrid, and — I think we can all agree — Billie Eilish. That would be beyond incredible.
What’s next for Mae Stephens?
I guess you’ll have to wait and see! I’m just as excited. I’ve been working on some amazing new tracks and diving into fresh projects. I’m stepping outside of the ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ era and exploring new territory. I’m so thankful for everything ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ gave me; it opened so many doors. But now, I’ve got the space to figure out exactly what I want to bring to the table. And I can’t wait to share it.