Anna Duboc Breathes Through the Chaos in New Single “Suffocating” — A Haunting Reflection on Love, Loss, and Control

Emerging indie-pop artist Anna Duboc unveils a deeply emotional and beautifully raw new single, “Suffocating." Co-written and co-produced with Matias Mora—whose credits include alt-pop standouts Chappell Roan and Gracie Abrams—the track is a slow-burning, soul-baring exploration of the kind of love that quietly erodes you from the inside out.

Written in the shadow of a devastating time in her life, “Suffocating” was born just weeks before Anna’s hometown was engulfed by the Palisades fire. The emotional weight of a crumbling relationship collided with the very real loss of place and memory, creating a song that feels like a breath caught in the chest—aching, heavy, and honest.

Set against a haunting, minimalist soundscape, “Suffocating” weaves together vulnerable verses and bittersweet choruses that echo the internal conflict of staying somewhere you no longer feel safe. Anna’s soft, ethereal vocals are laced with quiet strength, reminiscent of Billie Eilish’s emotional restraint, Phoebe Bridgers’ poetic lyricism, and Ashe’s melancholic pop melodies. Yet, Duboc’s voice is unmistakably her own—delicate, deliberate, and brave.

“I wrote this song during one of the hardest periods of my life. When your heart is breaking and your world is literally burning around you, it’s hard to breathe. Writing ‘Suffocating’ was the only way I could begin to process any of it.”

The track dives deep into the emotional gray areas of love—those moments of silent compromise suppressed feelings and the subtle shift from affection to entrapment. Anna doesn’t just tell the story; she invites you into it, painting each line with vivid imagery and unfiltered emotion.

Despite her young age, Anna Duboc is already making major waves in the indie-pop space, with over 50 million views across her platforms and a growing fanbase drawn to her ability to articulate the unspeakable. A multi-hyphenate talent, she continues to evolve as a songwriter, producer, and storyteller—one heartbreak, one fire, and one haunting melody at a time.

“Suffocating” is more than a breakup song. It’s a testament to resilience. A love letter to the self. A quiet anthem for anyone who has ever stayed too long, spoken too little, and finally decided to breathe again.

"Suffocating” is such a powerful, emotionally layered track. How did writing this song help you process everything you were going through at the time—both personally and with the Palisades fire?

I wrote the song before the fire and it was released after the fire. I am thankful that I had something to focus on other than the tragedy that struck my community. I wrote Suffocating as I could tell my previous relationship was coming to an end and we were both trying to sort of force it into being our time when it wasn’t. This song really helped me emotionally grasp that it’s okay when people don’t go perfectly together like you want to, you can’t force people to grow to fit what you need.

There’s a quiet intensity in the production and lyrics—how did you and Matias Mora work together to strike that balance between vulnerability and restraint?

I knew the song needed to have a build that indicated the realization I make in the lyrics in the instrumentation, so we decided that cutting the drums out until halfway through the song was a good idea to convey the idea of a mind spinning out of control as it loses control over itself. I really wanted the track on this one to reflect what I was feeling inside and not just sound good, so I added the acapella harmonies at the end on my own after we had finished the song because I felt like ending on a delicate moment illustrated the delicacy of the relationship at the time.

You explore the blurred line between affection and control in this song. Why was it important for you to tell this kind of relationship story now?

It’s frustrating to love someone and know that you’re not right for each other in this moment, especially when the relationship ends on good terms. I needed to share this now in order to remind myself that I need to stand firm in who I am and not alter my boundaries or beliefs for someone else.

Your style draws comparisons to artists like Billie Eilish and Phoebe Bridgers, but you clearly have your own voice. How would you define your sound in your own words?

That’s such a huge compliment omg thank you; I am still trying to find and develop my own sound. Since I am influenced by so many styles of music/musicals and artists, I often think I’ve found the pocket I fit into, and then the next week, I’m interested in a different kind of sound, so I am still trying to find my ‘pocket’ if you will.

As someone who’s already achieved 50+ million views and worn multiple hats in the industry, what’s something you’ve learned about yourself as an artist that fans might not know yet?

I think in the past, I’ve tried to develop myself as a sort of “pop princess,” but I’ve learned that that isn’t who I am. I fit into many categories in my creativity, and I can’t wait to explore it more as I become an adult.