Staten Island singer-songwriter Alyssa O'Toole lays down some bittersweet confessions in her latest alt-pop anthem, "i Admit iT."
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter has been carving her lane in the music scene for over four years. Since releasing her debut EP, Safe House, in 2020, she's been steadily dropping pop singles that showcase her evolving sound and songwriting skills.
With "i Admit iT," O'Toole takes a grittier turn, blending alternative pop with touches of grunge. The result is a raw, emotionally charged track that's bound to resonate with listeners.
Expanding on "I Admit iT," we're met with dark, grunge-esque guitar licks alongside airy drums that keep our heads nodding. O'Toole's vocals are both vulnerable and powerful, perfectly capturing the conflicting emotions of a relationship in turmoil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of confusion and longing, with lines like "I can't figure you out, I admit it" serving as a brutally honest refrain.
What really sets "i Admit iT" apart is its infectious instrumentals. The guitar riffs are particularly memorable, adding a layer of energy that contrasts beautifully with the song's introspective lyrics. It's powerful, catchy, and ready to sit at the top of your playlist. When you're looking for a new breakup song from the heart, this is it.
Hear it yourself and find Alyssa O'Toole's new single, "i Admit iT," on all major streaming platforms.
Welcome to Buzz, Alyssa! Congratulations on the release of your emotionally charged single, "I Admit iT." What inspired you to create this song?
I actually wrote this song nearly 3 years ago. What heavily inspired me was hearing the instrumental alone. Once I heard it, I knew this was going to be effortless to write. I hit record and sang whatever came naturally to me; the rest was history.
This is the first single I engineered myself. I wasn’t sure about releasing it until a few months ago. I went back and listened and thought, “Why haven’t I put this out yet?” I had such a great song sitting in my files on a MacBook, waiting to be played for years.
Your biggest song is probably sitting in files, too. Don’t let self-doubt prevent an amazing creation from getting the recognition it deserves. It’s about building the confidence to release it! I started to focus on being unique rather than aiming for perfection and set realistic expectations for myself as an artist.
The guitar work in "i Admit iT" is fantastic. Can you tell us about the process of creating those catchy riffs?
The production behind this song is extremely powerful. I feel that creativity comes from making various attempts. I like working with riffs that don’t sound like songs already made. I enjoy making music that’s unique, where you hear a certain riff or beat come in, and you know it’s my song or say, “yep, that’s Alyssa O’Toole.”
Your lyrics in "i Admit iT" are very introspective. Was it challenging to be so open and vulnerable in your songwriting, or does that come easy to you?
Songwriting, in general, has always been very easy for me. I like to compare it to poetry. Honestly, I think of myself as a poet more than a songwriter. If you read the lyrics to any of my songs, you’ll see the poetic side of it. Without the music, they’re all poems. I always describe my writing process as a voiceless voice that brings words to me. I truly don’t know where it comes from, but it’s like I can hear the lyrics before I sing it.
"i Admit iT" feels like a shift from your previous pop releases. Was this a conscious decision to explore a new sound?
Of course! I love working with many different styles of music. I have songs made for different genres, including rap, hip/hop, rock, R&B, EDM, etc. Overall, I make pop music. It’s essentially incorporating a little bit of everything while mixing the old with the new.
What do you hope listeners feel when hearing "i Admit iT?"
I hope my listeners feel pumped and empowered when hearing my single. This is definitely a song where you can’t help but sing along! I make my songs repetitive purposely so it’s easy for the listener to jump in and feel a part of it, too!