INTERVIEW: LEW
Singer-songwriter, LEW, released her latest EP, TOO SEXY TO BE SAD, in October of 2025. The former country singer pivoted to a more dance-pop sound earlier in the year with her EP, Dead Inside; and TOO SEXY TO BE SAD is a testament to how good a decision that was. Each song on the EP is fun and playful, reminiscent of a better era of pop music. Noisescape Magazine was fortunate enough to get to chat with LEW about this new project, her rebrand, and her experiences opening for Marielle Kraft.
You just released your new EP, TOO SEXY TO BE SAD. How does this era compare to your previous EPs, Dead Inside and This Is Your Brain On Love so far?
This is by far my most playful and dance-driven era. While writing this EP, I was really inspired to create a fun live show. I feel so lucky to have been on tour literally as the project was released, doing exactly what I wanted to be doing— performing these songs live. It gave me a whole new perspective on what I want my live show to feel like and I’ll always carry that with me going forward into future eras.
Sonically, the EP is very unique. The songs all sound pretty different from each other, while still being tonally cohesive. Did you write the songs with this larger project in mind or did they just fit together after you wrote them individually?
Thank you so much— that’s so kind. I had my first session with Mike Robinson, who produced this whole project, a couple of years ago. As we kept going back into the studio, we never made a song I didn’t just absolutely love. When it came time to release new music, it felt like a no-brainer to put out every song we had written together as a singular project. I love how thematically, they all have their own identity, but sonically are very cohesive - Mike was definitely the driving force behind that and I am so grateful for his brilliance!
What do you hope fans get out of this new project?
I wrote this project in a pretty dark time of my life, honestly. Everything in my life was changing at once and I felt like I had nothing to grab on to. I would literally blast songs like “Fergalicious” at volume 10 and force myself to dance to them in my kitchen, even in the midst of my worst mental breakdowns. I wanted to create music that provided that confident feeling while still being honest. Songs that could be used for that same purpose, or for pumping yourself up when you’re low.
Who are some of your musical influences?
There are so many! P!NK, Lady Gaga, Avril Lavigne, Charli XCX, Michelle Branch, Billie Eilish, No Doubt, The Goo Goo Dolls, YUNGBLUD, The Wallflowers, Hayley Williams, Lily Allen, Rihanna…the list goes on.
The music video for “TOO SEXY TO BE SAD” was very fun and sexy— perfectly fitting the vibe of the song. What was it like creating the visuals for this era?
Thank you! It was so fun creating the visuals for this era. My insanely talented creative director, Whitney Otte, worked with me to make all my aesthetic and visual dreams come to life. I wanted everything in this era to feel like an unapologetic rave for the misunderstood. I absolutely love the way the video came out, and we had the best time on set.
You just got back from a tour where you opened for Marielle Kraft. Tell us a little bit about what that was like for you.
Not to be dramatic but tour changed my life. I hadn’t been on a consistent tour in a couple of years. Which also means I hadn’t toured since changing my genre from country to pop and my artist name to LEW. In a time where artistry is so dominantly online, getting back out on the road really refined and clarified my purpose. My favorite part of being an artist is connecting live. It’s literally the pinnacle of it all and the whole reason I do it. It was really good to be reminded of that and to get to have face to face, real human connection every single night. It got me really excited about, going forward, unique ways I can engage my audience and create unforgettable, tech-free moments. I’m very revved up and inspired going into 2026 about these possibilities.
You released your debut single, “She’s Mine,” in 2021. How do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist since then?
Time truly flies. I can’t believe that was almost five years ago. I don’t think we ever truly know 100% who we are, and that is where the excitement and discovery of evolution comes to life. That being said, I feel like I know myself now more than ever. My lyrics and my message have always been my North Star, and I feel like that has stayed the exact same since my debut single. Outside of that, I feel so much more comfortable in my skin expressing who I really am. I know what clothes I feel the most myself in, environments, makeup, hair, visuals, aesthetics. And I feel a hell of a lot more brave to speak my mind and stand up for what I believe in. I think most of all, I finally started trusting my inner voice. It’s always been there, but I’ve let it become much more than a whisper.
If you could play a song to introduce someone to your music, which one would you play?
Ah! I’d probably play them the next thing I’m working on that’s unreleased :). I always feel the closest and most vulnerable to what I’m currently working on. If I had to pick one from my released discography, I’d probably choose “Pressure Points.” It feels like my most lyrically honest song that is released.
Listen to TOO SEXY TO BE SAD now!
WHERE TO FIND LEW
Facebook | X | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music