The track released on May 23 by Ariyel titled “How To Be Loved” extends beyond its indie pop dreaminess by representing the emotional experience of being trapped in a destructive love. A Colorado singer-songwriter uses gentle guitar sounds and complex harmonies alongside confessional vocals to portray the internal agony of loving an unreciprocating partner. The sound maintains a soft quality while delivering a powerful message. This song reflects reality because it maintains a delicate balance between subtlety and raw honesty. This artist brings a unique vocal identity and narrative that stands apart from artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski.
The song is rooted in personal truth. While she was still caught in that relationship which produced hidden scars, Ariyel started writing her song. In her performance, she occupies that liminal space—the place where you feel unready to depart yet understand that departure is necessary. The song “How To Be Loved” examines the blurred boundary between love and harm with remarkable clarity. It doesn’t ask for pity. It doesn’t rush healing. It just tells the truth. This track serves as the debut single from her forthcoming concept album which she created primarily at home over a span of five years. Each word carries the weight of lived experience while every musical note bears the deep emotional scars of surviving a major loss.
The song’s power comes from its genuine expression of truth. This song reaches out to anyone who stayed in a relationship past their limit or was unsure about their own value or confused suffering for affection. Ariyel doesn’t urge you to move forward but allows you to feel. “How To Be Loved” teaches us not to run away but to accept our current place while understanding we share it with others. It’s vulnerable, beautiful, and unforgettable.
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