With her latest single Slow Down, Glasgow-based singer-songwriter and producer Aylee delivers what might be her most vulnerable and relatable work to date. The track, out September 18, 2025, is the third release from her upcoming EP An Existential Crisis, and it perfectly captures the bittersweet tension of growing up at a different pace than everyone else around you.
Written and produced entirely by Aylee, Slow Down is built on a simple yet powerful idea: the feeling that life is rushing forward while you’re stuck in place. The lyrics paint vivid snapshots of comparison and quiet panic—friends moving ahead with milestones while she struggles to feel like she belongs in the same timeline. It’s deeply personal but immediately universal, a reminder that these insecurities are more common than we admit.
The track balances raw honesty with polished alt-pop production. Shimmering synth textures and understated beats give the song a lush, atmospheric feel, while Aylee’s voice delivers both strength and fragility. Standout lines like “I’m always on the outside, life’s an inside joke. I guess I’m just the punchline everybody knows” hit hard, combining sharp wit with emotional truth. Elsewhere, metaphors such as not being able to “walk in heels” while others stride ahead capture the awkwardness of growing up in a world that feels one step too fast.
What makes Slow Down shine is its emotional accessibility. The track doesn’t wallow—it uplifts, even in its honesty. The chorus, with its plea to simply breathe and find presence, offers listeners both recognition and release. It’s a song that could easily soundtrack a moment of reflection on a long night walk, or a communal sing-along at a live show.
Aylee’s artistic journey has been steadily building to this moment. Starting as a folky singer-songwriter before embracing synth-driven pop, she has carved out a sound that blends intimacy with bold hooks. Influences like MUNA, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter are audible, but the perspective is entirely her own. Previous singles Dressed Up and Good Enoughalready earned BBC Introducing support and Spotify playlist placements, setting the stage for her EP’s release. While Dressed Up was praised for its reclamation of power and Good Enough for its raw honesty, Slow Down finds its strength in stillness—in saying out loud the things most of us quietly feel.
The upcoming EP An Existential Crisis promises to explore themes of identity, comparison, and growing pains in even greater depth. If Slow Down is any indication, it won’t just resonate with listeners—it will become a companion for anyone navigating the uncertainty of early adulthood.
Live, Aylee is known for her dynamic solo performances, layering instruments and vocals to recreate her studio sound with an impressive DIY setup. With her EP launch show on the horizon, these songs will soon find their second life on stage, where their intimacy and energy can meet audiences face-to-face.
In Slow Down, Aylee doesn’t just tell her own story—she gives voice to a whole generation’s quiet fears and unspoken longings. Honest, melodic, and achingly relatable, it’s the kind of song that lingers long after the final chorus fades.
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