Alyssa Caroline steps into new creative territory with “Fire To Ash,” a striking blend of shadowy late-night pop, textured synths, and honest storytelling. The track marks a bold evolution from her earlier sound, channeling the emotional depth of Taylor Swift, the sleek confidence of Dua Lipa, and the experimental edge of Imogen Heap.
It’s a raw yet empowering exploration of toxic patterns and self-reclamation, a sound that belongs on playlists like Pop Rising, Fresh Finds Pop, and Indie Pop Chillout.
We caught up with Alyssa to talk about her new single, creative growth, and what comes next.
“When I was writing music for the first time with a producer post-COVID, I was in a place in my life where I wanted to try a new vibe, and I’ve always been drawn to darker, moodier sounds. Fire to Ash let me really lean into that and it felt like the right time to experiment and explore that kind of sound. I have a few unreleased songs that are in that same vein, and I’m so excited to release them.”
“I think when I wrote this song, I had experienced toxic patterns and the struggle I had to break through to feel in control of my worth and my heart. There were definitely moments where I knew something wasn’t good for me, but it was hard to stop. Fire To Ash is about that messy middle space, where you’re still learning to choose yourself again.”
“I usually start songs in a few different ways; sometimes I’ll sit at the piano and build chords, sometimes I pull from lyrics in my notes app, or I’ll find a random 2 a.m. voice memo of a melody I mumbled half-asleep. Fire To Ash actually started with the lyrics. I was channeling a younger, more impulsive version of myself — the one who jumped into things headfirst. I always try to make songs that I’d want to listen to myself, which is probably why I take my time before releasing them. With Fire To Ash, I wrote it back in 2021, then played around with it for the past few years with different producers.”
“When I was in the studio first working on the song, I felt a sort of club-meets-heartbreak cinematic energy which I really liked. The synths, guitars, and bass created this pulsing tension that reminded me of being a little reckless — like driving fast when no one’s around. I wanted listeners to feel that rush, that mix of danger and freedom.”
“Fire To Ash has helped me as an artist discover what I like about my music and what I don’t like. I’m always inspired to write love songs, and I think I will continue to do that, but I envision my music having softer sides and rough edges to each song. The upcoming releases have an intimate and romantic energy to them, but I will be continuing that fiery and charged energy in songs to come.”
With Fire To Ash, Alyssa proves she’s not afraid to evolve and take creative risks. The song feels like a defining moment — the kind of breakthrough that hints at something much bigger ahead. Expect more music, more depth, and more late-night anthems from an artist finding her truest voice yet.
🎧 Listen to “Fire To Ash” on Spotify
📸 Follow Alyssa on Instagram
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