The Loop
Julianne Beffa
Exclusive
Asha Maclean: Nostalgia, Balance, and the Sound of Tomorrow
Asha Maclean’s music speaks to the complexities of growing up, loving hard, and finding yourself in the chaos of it all.
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa
In New York City, dreams are born on subway platforms, in corner bodegas, and in tiny rehearsal spaces that never sleep. For singer-songwriter Asha Maclean, the city was not just a backdrop but her foundation. Growing up in the heart of NYC meant being constantly surrounded by art, energy, and the intoxicating rhythm of possibility.
“I think it’s given me a lot of confidence,” Asha reflects. “Growing up in a fast-paced city surrounded by the arts will do that to you. I’ve always had a deep love for music and NYC really embodies the beauty of artistic expression. Opportunities can blossom in some of the most random connections.”
That sense of confidence and serendipity has shaped the twenty-year-old into an artist who feels both timeless and entirely of the moment. Her music draws on nostalgia, but not in a recycled way. It is more like the feeling you get when you stumble on an old favorite song you forgot you loved.
“I want people to feel nostalgic when they listen to my music,” she says. “Almost like when you find that track you were obsessed with as a kid and couldn’t remember the name of. Nostalgia’s one of the best feelings in the world.”
From Journals to Karaoke Machines
Music has always been part of Asha’s story. With parents who both came from artistic backgrounds, creativity was not just encouraged, it was part of her DNA.
“When I was in elementary school, I would write songs in my journal every night just because,” she recalls. “I sang the same song for hours on my own with my karaoke machine. I’d record myself singing covers until I thought it was perfect enough to post. I think I’ve always known this was what I wanted to do, it was just floating around in my subconscious.”
That early discipline has carried into her career today, especially under the mentorship of Grammy-winning producer Charles Farrar. “I’ve definitely learned to trust my instincts more. Sometimes emotions get high, but your gut never lies. I’ve also developed discipline in the studio when it comes to writing and recording. I have a routine, but I’m also open to trying new ways of things. I usually pleasantly surprise myself when I do.”
“Yoga” – The Breakthrough Moment
Her latest single, “Yoga,” is where all of these threads come together: sultry, vibey, high-energy, and deeply human. The song explores the push and pull of relationships, the way someone can make you feel euphoric one moment and off-balance the next.
“The inspiration behind ‘Yoga’ is the idea of complexities in a relationship,” Asha explains. “Whether it’s romantic or platonic, there are always ups and downs. Some days your person makes you feel like you’re on top of the world, and others, they make you feel like you’re going crazy. It’s almost like an inner monologue of the back and forth feelings you have about them.”
The song also reflects her own lived experiences. “It totally reflects my past relationships. It’s never really smooth sailing when you care a lot (and are in your late teen years). Now that I’m twenty, I’m trying to change the way I go about love. I have a goal to find emotional balance within myself before I look for it in someone else, and I also want to be better at accepting imperfections. We’re all human.”
The music video takes those themes and channels the sleek energy of 90s R&B while folding in Asha’s own personal history as a dancer. “We definitely wanted the solo female dancer to give off Aaliyah and Ciara vibes, and I would also say that I was my own reference. My earlier days as a hip-hop dancer meant a lot of hours in the studio in front of a mirror in baggy clothes with my hair down. The video feels nostalgic of my time on my middle school dance team.”
The track’s remixes only add to its versatility. “I honestly can’t pick a favorite, I think they’re all so good. It’s so cool for DJs to even acknowledge my music, let alone spend time on remixes of it. I think music should be created and recreated over and over again. That’s exactly why we sampled Cheri Dennis’ track ‘I Love You’. It’s rare that there is ever just one version of a song, even before the ‘original’ is released.”
The inspiration behind ‘Yoga’ is the idea of complexities in a relationship.
Dreamscapes and Duets
When asked what kind of movie scene “Yoga” could soundtrack, Asha immediately pictures nightlife. “In my head it’s at a house party in the city. I see the same colorful lights filling the room, with the bass turned all the way up. Everyone is dancing and sweaty, and you’re stuck on your ex who is at the same party. You’re on and off but the love is genuine. It’s a bittersweet flirtatious vibe with some swaggy back and forth choreography between the two. Envision the Step Up movies.”
That ability to merge music with atmosphere makes her stand out in a scene where culture, nightlife, and sound collide. And she is only just getting started. One of her most exciting projects is a duet with Darius Rucker, an unexpected collaboration that pushes her artistry into new territory.
“It’s a wholesome love song to sing to your family and friends,” she shares. “Something everyone can relate to. It’s also my interpretation of a country song. It’s actually the one and only I’ve ever written so it’s special to me. Darius and I met through my producer Charles Farrar early on in my career and he’s been involved since.”
It’s a wholesome love song to sing to your family and friends
Beyond Genre
Asha’s music does not sit neatly in one box. She pulls from pop and R&B, with clear nods to Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson. At the same time, she is not afraid to experiment, whether it is through a country-inspired ballad or futuristic visuals.
Her dream concert reflects that same balance. “I would love lots of air, maybe outdoors. I’d want a chill, lowkey, fun energy throughout my set. I’d love to perform some of my favorite unreleased songs, maybe a cover or two… something that the generation above me can get behind.”
Offstage, she is still a music fan first. “I’ve been loving Charli XCX. I recently did a deep dive on her discography and I’m obsessed. I have an entire playlist just of her albums. Also have been loving Labi Siffre for his simplicity in production and beautiful lyricism.”
And if she weren’t making music? Asha laughs. “Listening to it. Lol.”
The Future of Asha Maclean
What makes Asha Maclean unique is not just her sound but her perspective. She is nostalgic without being derivative, confident without being guarded, and playful without being careless. Her music speaks to the complexities of growing up, loving hard, and finding yourself in the chaos of it all.
At just twenty, she is blending past and present, pop and R&B, vulnerability and swagger. She is crafting music that feels instantly familiar yet refreshingly new. The kind of songs you swear you have known forever, even if you just pressed play.
And in a world overflowing with artists chasing virality, Asha Maclean is building something more lasting: a career rooted in memory, emotion, and the sound of tomorrow.
Read More
