Recommended tracks: “who,” “it doesn’t kill me anymore,” “forecast”
Artists you may like: Laufey, Claire Rosinkranz, mxmtoon
In a world where curated perfection often drowns out honesty, Lyn Lapid’s new album BUZZKILL stands out like the friend who quietly drops emotional truth bombs from the corner of the party. Released today, April 25, BUZZKILL spans out over 33 minutes, but those 33 minutes aren’t just an album; they make up a coming-of-age confessional layered in lush alt-R&B grooves, whispery pop hooks, and the kind of raw storytelling that makes you feel like you’ve just read someone’s diary (with permission, of course).
Lyn Lapid, the 22-year-old Filipino-American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has made a name for herself by not fitting neatly into any box. From her viral ukulele covers on TikTok to Gold-certified singles like “In My Mind,” her blend of musical versatility and lyrical vulnerability has racked up over a billion global streams and garnered nods from the likes of Billie Eilish and Jungkook of BTS.
But with BUZZKILL, Lapid fully finds her voice; a voice that’s a little jazz, a little bedroom pop, and completely her own. “I wanted to challenge myself and let go of the control… I was trying to be more collaborative with the writers and producers,” Lyn said when asked about evolving her sound in her interview with Melodic Magazine.
The album opens with its title track, “buzzkill,” a smoky bossa nova number that perfectly captures the awkward heartbreak of showing up to a party and immediately regretting it. “Oh no, I should’ve stayed home,” she sings, straddling the line between anxiety and dry wit. It’s the first confession of the many more in the album, a journal entry set to guitar, and the perfect tone-setter for what’s to come.
“coraline” captures the eerie, in-between feeling of starting over in a strange city. The single “I’ll be happy when” floats on dreamy piano and glitchy beats, mapping Lapid’s longing for deeper friendships and a sense of belonging in a city that still feels alien. “I’m just wondering, ‘Will I be able to have these things?’” she asks. Her honesty is quietly devastating and incredibly relatable.
But it’s not all melancholy musings. “death wish” flips the script with a light-hearted ode to friendship, inspired by a grocery store trip and an inside joke about retiring in Japan if singledom prevails. It’s a bop with bite and shares Lapid’s ability to balance depth with levity.
The album’s closer, “doesn’t kill me anymore,” is a slow-burning ballad about healing after heartbreak. “I’ve accepted myself,” she sings, her voice swimming in soft emotion. It’s a graceful conclusion to an album that doesn’t just chart heartbreak or loneliness; it also charts resilience.
Sonically, BUZZKILL is a fluid, genre-blurring collection that marries alternative R&B grooves, understated jazz influences, and clean, catchy pop melodies. Inspired by artists like Olivia Dean, Lapid uses every tool in her kit, from her classical training to her sharp pen, to craft songs that feel both expansive and intimate.
In the end, BUZZKILL prevails to be more than just an album—it’s a permission slip to feel deeply, to be a little awkward, and to grow through discomfort. Lapid doesn’t just want to soundtrack your twenties; she wants you to see yourself in them. About the album, she says,
“I wish I had this album to listen to when I was going through moving and being on my own.”
Lucky for us, she made it anyway.
Stream BUZZKILL now, and maybe keep some tissues (and a best friend) nearby. To hear these songs live, grab tickets to her upcoming tour dates here.
Follow Lyn Lapid: X / APPLE MUSIC / SPOTIFY / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / WEBSITE
