Lilyisthatyou

Invites You To “Party 22”

By Cody Capalongo

Lilyisthatyou represents everything right about the music industry in 2021. The artist came crashing onto the scene in July with the highly anticipated release of “FMRN,” an emotionally honest masterpiece exploring Lily’s relationship with sexual confidence and emotional vulnerability. The track’s uplifting instrumental, accompanied by contrasting, intense, and lustful lyrics, made it an immediate pop anthem.

Initially just a fun project, Lily posted a TikTok on June 16th using a snippet of the unreleased song as the audio. The video exploded just a few days later, accumulating over 1.5 million likes before its shocking removal. TikTok’s decision gave the song a new meaning for Lily: It represented the consequences associated with having the “urge to be as loud and sexual as men” that women are all too familiar with, and the song now stands as an anthem encouraging women to embrace and feel comfortable expressing their sexual confidence.

30 million Spotify streams later, Lily is back with another hit in her latest release, “Party 22!” The song takes inspiration from the important role that music played in helping the world move past the last pandemic, the Spanish flu, a century ago. Lily hopes the piece will occupy a similar role in today's societal landscape, creating a song that feels like “a release of the depressing chaos that was this year and the release of someone who does not deserve you,” and encourages its listeners to “party like it's 2020.”

We spoke with Lily about her rapid ascent to fame, the creative process that enabled it all, her newest release, and more!

Hey Lily! Thank you so much for speaking with us today, and congrats on the recent release of “Party 22!” Can you walk us through the inspiration behind the track?

The inspiration for ‘Party 22’ came from an article from a magazine I read in the summer titled ‘party like it's 2022’. The article talked about how important dance music was moving forward past this pandemic and what an important role music played in moving past the pandemic in the early 1900s. I also wanted to create a song that felt like it was a release, a release of the depressing chaos that was this year, and the release of someone who does not deserve you anymore.

What was the writing process like for this single?

The day I wrote the song all I had was the title. I was working with Jussi and Kennedi in Los Angeles, I believe it was the second studio session of my trip. We started out with a different idea but I brought up this title and it immediately resonated with both Kennedi and I, we latched on to it and quickly wrote the song. I remember us laughing a lot, feeling instantly connected, and having so much fun, this song came really naturally.

Has music always been a part of your life or is it a newer endeavor?

Music has always been a part of my life, I can't remember a time where it didn't feel natural or normal to me to want to create in this way. I think there are so many aspects of art that inspire me, but lyrics and sound always felt like the easiest way to express what I was going through and understand myself better.

Although you have your own very unique sound, is there anyone that you take musical inspiration from?

I would say my biggest musical Inspirations are The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and Tove Lo. I draw a lot of inspiration from the expression of Jazz, I’ve always been hypnotized by the voices of Billie Holiday and Chet Baker. But, I'm constantly looking for new things, ideas, people, places, and conversations to inspire me in and outside of music

You’ve expressed that you also enjoy writing poetry. What role does poetry play in your life, and how have you seen it affect your music?

I don't think my music could exist without poetry. I think my music is poetry. I have so much appreciation for the stories and language used by poets. I wouldn't say I stopped writing poetry. I just think I've started to write more music. But, I believe they can exist together in the same MP3.

Do you ever take ideas from your poems and develop them into songs?

Yes, yes, a million times yes. I'm still reading journals from when I was 15 and finding ways to bring the ink on the page to life.

Obviously, we have to talk about the song that started it all, “FMRN.” Your TikTok showcasing the single amassed some 1.5 million views almost overnight. What was that experience like?

Every time I think of that day I take a deep breath because it really changed everything. I'll never forget what it felt like the first time, to have thousands of people believe in you, want something that you created. The experience was chaotic and beautiful and messy and overwhelming but it brought me here.

Unfortunately, the video also got the attention of TikTok and was eventually taken down. How did you feel when this happened? Did it have any effect on your perspective on the song itself?

It definitely made the song more important to me and hopefully to many others. When it happened actually wasn't surprised - I think women spend their lives facing consequences of the urge to be as loud and sexual as men. But I'm grateful the video was removed because it created a new meaning for FMRN and helped me build a beautiful relationship with Tik-Tok.

“FMRN” is currently sitting at just over 27.5 million plays on Spotify. Do you feel like coming off of such an explosive debut affected how you approached making “Party 22" at all?

It definitely did not affect the creative process, but it did affect my thoughts in terms of a release and expectations of what that should look like. I'm so happy it's out though, and I have loved all the feedback from fans, friends, and family.

How did “FMRN'' actually come about? It is such an upbeat and fun track, but was there any deeper meaning that you hoped to convey through it?

When I made it it was just for fun, it was the removal of the video that allowed me to see the deeper meaning of the song. It's helped me grow a lot in my personal life, in my issues with sex and desire. I've received hundreds of messages from fans about the meaning it has brought to them and to me that is the most important.

You work very closely with your partner, Caleb. In fact, he actually produced “FMRN.” Do you feel that having such a close connection with someone on your musical team has enhanced or affected your music in any way?

Caleb and I actually worked together today, the special thing about our sessions is that it takes away a lot of pressure, we just have fun. It has definitely enhanced my music in a way because it's been so special to grow alongside him during the last 6 months. I'm excited to continue to create more with him and watch us both develop as people and as artists.

What else can fans expect from you going forward in 2022?

A lot more f****** music, and a lot more visual content. Expect them to be surprised and obsessed because that's how I feel when I listen to the new stuff.

When Lilyisthatyou makes it to LA, she will go get a smoked salmon bagel from Courage Bagels.

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