“Keepintouch” is a vulnerable pop ballad that offers a truthful account of a young adult navigating their journey to emotional maturity. Through introspective lyricism and desperate melodies, listeners are brought alongside Love You Later as she confronts her discomfort with being alone and finds peace and catharsis in learning to like her own company. The passionate pop ballad derives inspiration from current pop hits and features an alternative flare which makes the artist a stand out in the current music scene. This song will certainly be recognized in the industry for its complex musical and emotional layers.
Lexi Aviles is an unstoppable force with a message that demands to be heard. Her nostalgic sound creates a feeling of familiarity for the listener and her enticing melodies contribute to the one of a kind sound which intrigues every person who stumbles upon her music. Aviles’ songwriting offers a sense of infectious hopefulness while getting vulnerable about her own experiences. Her music makes you feel like you’re in a dream with addictive hooks that throw you into an introspective sonic universe. Love You Later pairs electric melodies and honest lyrics with shimmery guitar riffs and euphoric synths to establish her genre-defying sound.
The 23-year-old Nashville-based artist has recently made some noticeable noise in the music industry. Over the past few years, Love You Later has opened for OneRepublic, Dayglow, and Briston Maroney, attended SXSW as an official artist and, last year, she sold out Nashville’s EXIT/IN. With attention pouring in from tastemakers like LADYGUNN, EUPHORIA, The Line of Best Fit, FLAUNT, American Songwriter and more, Love You Later is an artist to keep on your radar.
Her new single, “Keepintouch,” illustrates her ability to create wholly addictive alt-pop earworms. Co-written with fellow Nashville-based songwriters Bre Kennedy and Kyle Dreaden, “Keepintouch” offers a brutally honest account to the internal battles that are prompted by heartbreak. Everyone can relate to the themes that this song presents about independence and self-esteem, and the depth that Lexi gives in her lush and beautiful lyricism is unmatched.
Explaining how the inspiration for the single came about, she says: “My boyfriend had just left for tour a few weeks prior and my friends were all starting to date people - of course, I wanted to be happy for the people I loved, but in all honesty it was really hard. I almost felt this sense of disconnection from myself like I had forgotten how to be alone. We finally came up with the concept for the song once I came to this strange realization - I felt more connected to myself when I had other people around me, but I knew that I really needed to learn to be alone again in order to truly feel connected with myself. And I also wanted to express the fear of losing the people I loved in the process. It’s pretty much summed up in the tag of the song: I’m losing touch with everyone else / trying to keep in touch with myself.”
We were able to sit down with Lexi to chat about the inspiration behind her new single “Keepintouch,” her musical influences, and what motivates her as an artist. Scroll down to read the full conversation and listen to “Keepintouch” out now on all streaming platforms!
Do you have a favorite memory in the writing or recording process for “Keepintouch?”
“My favorite memory while writing the song is basically how the song came about. I went into the session that day not exactly knowing what to write about but I did know how I felt that day. My co-writers and friends, Kyle Dreaden and Bre Kennedy opened the floor and it pretty much turned into a therapy session, lol. I told them about how my boyfriend had just left for tour and a few of my closest friends either moved away or started dating people. So naturally, I got really lonely really quick and it was almost the first time I had gotten to process it all out loud. It was then that I admitted to myself, I’ve been selfishly blaming all of those people I love for being the reason I felt so out of touch with myself. When really, I just had to learn to love to be alone again. The song is really dear to me for many reasons and I couldn’t have imagined writing it with anyone else.”
What are you most excited for people to hear on the new single?
“I'm most excited for people to hear the vulnerable, honest vocals in conjunction with the energetic, cathartic chorus with shimmery guitars, driving drums, and a captivating bass line. Personally, those are the most interesting parts of the song and what makes it feel magnetic.”
When listening to your music, I’m always in awe of your honest storytelling and raw lyrics. Do you find it difficult to be vulnerable in your writing?
“Well, thank you, that is such a compliment. First off, I believe the most inspiring art is the most vulnerable and honest so I’ve always been driven by that. I find it more difficult to be inauthentic when it comes to creating because I believe it’s virtually impossible to force creativity. It is so much more fulfilling to receive attention for something I created that is true and close to me rather than something ingenuine.”
You truly stick out in the industry due to your mix of several different musical genres. Do you actively try to avoid being pigeonholed into one genre as a musician?
“Thanks so much! I don’t necessarily try to avoid it particularly but like anyone, I’m not a huge fan of being put in boxes. I think the music speaks for itself though - every song I write, I’m introducing a new sound or concept or feeling. You could say my music switches lanes based on feeling but it’s all going in the same direction.”
I loved this single’s homage to 80s/90s synth music. I'm curious to know what artists you listen to or grew up around that may have had an influence on the type of music that you create today?
“Since the beginning of Love You Later, I’ve been inspired by artists/bands like The Japanese House and MUNA. Not only do they have such incredible songwriting abilities but everything from their visuals to their live shows are so inspiring and emotion-evoking. I grew up on everything from Sinatra to Fleetwood Mac to Stevie Wonder to The Beach Boys so I couldn’t even begin to give you an idea of a genre but I’m sure they all inspired me in some way. I can respect the hard work you had to put in back then as an artist - you had to really put in the work to get where you wanted to go and the ‘music industry’ wasn’t as twisted as it can be now. I like to channel that mindset to an extent - a balance of letting good things come to me and sometimes going after what I want and working hard for it.”
Explain to me a bit about your musical upbringing. Was performing something heavily encouraged by your family growing up?
“I grew up always doing something musical whether it was choir, musicals, talent shows, songwriting camps, etc. My family always encouraged me in what I gravitated towards, which has always been music. They kind of let me blaze my own trail and didn’t force anything on me, which I’m super grateful for. So yes, I guess I’ve always performed and created musically in some way and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
If you only got to listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
“Woah, great yet terrifying question, lol! My answer could change tomorrow but today it’s “Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac.”
When it comes to performing, you have incredible energy on stage. Do you take any inspiration from specific artists or try to emulate anyone when you are performing for an audience?
“Thank you so much!!! Whenever I’m playing a Love You Later show, I just walk up on stage and do my thing. There’s never any rhyme or reason other than the fact that hopefully, we practiced enough haha. Other than that, I just feel the music and connect with the audience as much as possible.”
You have worked alongside some pretty talented and impressive people in the music industry. Is there a moment or experience so far in your career that sticks out in your mind?
“I can’t really pinpoint one memory that skyrockets about all the others but over the past year or so, it’s been really special to get to work with some artists and writers I would now consider friends - Marshall Vore, Charlie Hickey, Samia, and members of The Band CAMINO and LANY just to name a few. It means a lot that they’ve trusted and respected me enough to collaborate and I don’t take those moments and relationships for granted.”
What do you do to stay grounded in such a competitive industry? How do you keep up with your mental health alongside busy schedules?
“Although I’m not perfect, I think the biggest thing for me is finding a balance between music life and ‘reality.’ I still work a part-time job to pay the bills and sometimes it keeps me sane to have something to do other than music. The balance of socializing and resting on my own is something I struggle with but something necessary for me and my mental health. It can be really draining and discouraging comparing myself to other artists. I have to remind myself that everyone is on their own path and there are not two of the same paths to success.”
What is next for Love You Later? Do you have any upcoming projects or performances that fans can be excited for?
“'Keepintouch' is a song I had intentionally been working on for months so I’m going to live with it for a little while and let listeners do the same. But possibly a music video accompanying the song very soon. And there will be more music and shows in the coming months, so watch out!!”
Click the link below to listen to “Keepintouch” out now on all streaming platforms. Make sure to follow Love You Later on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and check out her website to stay up to date on her upcoming projects!
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