Maggie Miles- Complete Artist Review
Complete Artist Review
Here you will find an overview of Maggie Miles as well as my personal rankings of her first two records. You will also find my Top 10 Songs as well as a link to an Essentials Playlist in this pages 1st photo
Maggie Miles
Maggie Mania is in full effect!
Maggie Miles, a singer-songwriter with an unmistakable voice and stage presence, hails from the heart of rural Virginia. She grew up surrounded by the sounds of music, drawing early inspiration from a variety of genres. Raised in a small town not too far from D.C., her upbringing is a significant part of her story, shaping her grounded and deeply emotional approach to her music. Maggie’s connection to her hometown and her family is evident in both her lyricism and her approach to music as an art form. I had the pleasure of seeing Maggie open for another band featured on this website, Friday Pilots Club, a couple of weeks ago. I was immediately floored and in awe of Maggie, her band and the grand production of such an intimate show.
Her early influences must span an eclectic range, from alt-pop to classic rock, and the personal depth she brings into her music hints at artists like Maggie Rogers and Billie Eilish, though she’s always maintained a sound distinctly her own. Even in her teenage years, Maggie was already showing signs of her fierce individuality and passion for her craft, playing music in her childhood basement and experimenting with songwriting as a way to express herself and navigate the complexities of life.
I’ll do my best of getting the timelines right here. Maggie released her debut single Belief in 2019. Currently a Non-LP single, Belief is littered with atmosphere and quick piano lines kicking things into gear on this funky dance pop number. Maggie’s trademark soulful, poppy vocals compliment the groovy and infectious synth lines. How is this not played at every night club? How is this not a song that every man, woman, child or animal knows and shakes their ass to? Despite the hardships in relationships subject matter, this song is fun and feel good.
After releasing songs like Shiver, Whatdoisay?, Swim, and Deserve This as singles that would eventually end up on her 2020 debut album, Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim, Maggie was featured on a fun, funky single by Butler. When You Want To (feat. Maggie Miles) is a great commercial-pop/r&b styled single.
Maggie’s debut album, Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim, really marked the beginning of her journey as an artist. Maggie’s debut was a powerful introduction to her sound—emotive, raw, and thematically introspective. On Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim, she explored feelings of vulnerability, the passage of time, and the sense of isolation so many feel throughout their formative years. This was the record that helped establish Maggie’s signature sound: a genre-defying blend of indie-pop with alt-rock sensibilities, punctuated by honest, introspective lyrics.
From the outset, Maggie’s artistry has been defined by her ability to channel deeply personal experiences into relatable anthems. Her vocal range and dynamic delivery give her music a cathartic, almost cinematic quality. Maggie’s music isn’t just about sound; it’s about feeling and connection, and she has a unique way of making listeners feel seen and understood. Delving into the personal without being exclusionary. Her music explores universal themes of insecurity, searching for meaning, and struggling with self-worth—issues many can relate to. What sets her apart is her willingness to be open about these struggles in a way that feels deeply personal, yet leaves room for the listener’s own interpretation and emotional connection.
Not long after her debut, we get treated to a new single called Costume Party. The music video of which is a perfect showcase of Maggie’s personality and style. Around this time we are delivered another collaboration, but this time with Manic. If you want a truly great Alt-Pop anthem that’s immediately singable, look no further than Nothing With You.
Leading up to Maggie’s next big project, we are handed not one, but TWO EPs and one more featured single. Water In My Hands features three reimagined tracks from her debut record entirely stripped back with added orchestration. WHATDOISAY? Deserve This, and Swim become hauntingly beautiful under these new arrangements. You Freak Me out! rounds out the first EP with a delightful new song done in this EPs cohesive theme.
The next EP you can not only listen to, but watch on YouTube! Maggie Miles ventured all the way up to Chicago to play for the infamous Audiotree Live. Maggie and company deliver an unbelievable live performance of some of her greatest songs. It’s fantastic to sit back and watch Maggie and her bandmates lose themselves in the music and their passion.
Right before Maggie’s sophomore record, she is featured on Clouds by Jaypitts. Wanna hear Maggie lay down a memorable chorus on a rap song? Check it out! Jaypitts gifts us an interesting entry in the Maggie Miles discography with his Joyner Lucas-like flow and impressive studio production.
In addition to her music, Maggie’s personal authenticity has made her a role model for many. She’s open about the challenges she’s faced—whether it’s dealing with self-doubt or the pressures of the music industry—giving her fans something genuine to connect with. Maggie has made it clear that she’s not just here to entertain; she’s here to make people feel, to make people think, and to encourage listeners to embrace their own journeys with courage and grace.
Maggie’s second album, The Lack Thereof, is a step forward in terms of both sound and thematic depth. This project sees Maggie experimenting more with production and genre-blending, moving beyond the indie-pop realm into more complex, layered compositions. The production is slicker, with more synth-driven textures and powerful instrumentation that complements the emotional intensity of her lyrics.
While the album’s themes revolve around self-reflection and the journey of chasing one’s dreams, it’s clear Maggie has honed her storytelling abilities. Tracks like Indecent and Asthma reflect a more confident artist who’s not afraid to delve into the gritty aspects of ambition, self-worth, and the search for meaning.
Maggie’s momentum continues to build. She’s performed in several major cities earning praise from both fans and critics alike. She’s been featured in prominent music publications like Flood Magazine, who called her a “rising star” in the alt-pop world. Maggie has continued to collaborate with Manic. as they released a second single together, Friends. Like Nothing With You, this is another great Alt-Pop anthem.
Maggie also released a two song single entitled Tlt(0). This A and B side single features two remixes of two tracks from The Lack Thereof. KIE gives us an electronic interpretation of Asthma and Pagu gives us his version of Asleep. Both are interesting listens!
To bring things up to date in the year of 2024, Maggie has recently released to killer new singles in Shove Down; Move On! and Skin. Don’t be surprised if you see these again later on my page as they are fantastic. Shove Down; Move On! has a slight Linkin’ Park-like rock instrumentation to it. The addictive guitar riffs demand you to stomp your feet and thrash your head before transitioning into a bright and soulful acoustic mass sing along. Maggie is dynamic as hell on this new track and she carries you through so many different feelings. Skin unleashes this great guitar picking before kicking into an almost Pop-Punk styled track. Of course, though, done again in that signature MM style.
Album Rankings
The Lack Thereof (2023)
Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim (2020)
Indecent (The Lack Thereof)
Asthma (The Lack Thereof)
Shove Down; Move On! (Single)
Hilary Duff (Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim)
Deserve This (Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim)
Split (Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim)
My Motivation Died. (Am I Drowning Or Am I Just Learning How To Swim)
Asleep (The Lack Thereof)
Costume Party (Single)
Belief (Single)
TOP 10 SONGS
In No Particular Order
Throughout her career, Maggie has garnered a dedicated following. Her live performances have become something of legend for those who’ve seen her on stage. Known for her energy and ability to lose herself in her music, Maggie’s live shows are an extension of her artistry—a space where her emotive delivery and raw talent take center stage.
With The Lack Thereof, Maggie Miles has proven that she’s more than just a promising artist—she’s a force to be reckoned with. As she continues to evolve as a songwriter and performer, there’s no doubt that her best work is still ahead of her. Her ability to balance deeply personal storytelling with dynamic and infectious soundscapes positions her as one of the most exciting new voices in modern music. Maggie has expressed a desire to keep pushing boundaries, and based on her trajectory, it's safe to say she’s only just getting started.
Am I serious? Well .. to use Maggie’s catchphrase: “Yeah, Dude.” You better believe it.