The NYC-based It Girl artist Miss Madeline released her debut EP 'Picture This' this week on Dec 7th as an introduction to her place in the music industry. This is the soulstress' first album, as she approaches 50 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify.

Every track Miss Madaline creates is a love letter to pop culture, her proficiency pushes against projected ideas of innocent femininity and explores her sexuality. She hails from Jersey and is prepping for world domination with her decadent, provocative style of pop that pays remarks to pop icons like Britney Spears, Uffie, Lady Gaga and Charli XCX.

The artist has been teasing this debut EP throughout four consecutive sold-out shows in LA and NYC this summer, and now the body of work is ready to be endured by her growing fanbase.

Coeval Magazine sit down with Miss Madaline to discuss how 'Picture This' came about, the inspirations behind it and how she wants people to feel while listening to her work.

Tell us about your back story, how did you enter the world of music?

I’ve been performing all my life. I grew up a competitive dancer. Very Dance Moms...lol. So dance school/auditions were my whole life. I danced on Broadway for two years which was an absolute dream come true for my middle school self….I was laid off after growing 2 inches...and devastated. I started writing songs around this time on my piano and guitar... I was like 13 years old? There was a recording studio in Hoboken that I would go to after school and stay there till my mom made me come home lol. I haven't stopped making music since.

Does your childhood influence the music you make today, if so, how?

Absolutely. I feel like I've trained for this my whole life. I'm so thankful for my dance background... so much of the choreo and dancers I idolized were... Popstars... like Britney, Janet and Madonna… so now, being the one on the mic .. feels like the fantasy, (almost) fully realized. On the flip side, I was exposed to the twisted and fucked up aspects of this industry since I was super young... but it didn't turn me off... it just made me realize how hard I have to hustle. I feel like the discipline I need to make it in this industry was ingrained in me since I was a little girl.

You have been described as the NYC It-Girl, how has living in the New York scene impacted your success?

Lol! I love it cuz I'm actually from Jersey... I went to high school in NYC though so I feel like I was introduced to the scene pretty early on... I faked it till I (sorta) made it lol! I’ve met some amazing friends and collaborators along the way…. and ya I like to party it uppppp.

It's said you follow in the footsteps of Britney Spears, Uffie, Lady Gaga and Charli XCX - what other icons do you resonate with & why?

I think all of them pushed the boundaries of pop music in a way that is really inspiring to me. Hard and experimental beats, sexy and fun, somewhat self-aware lyrics... and gorgeous, culture-shocking visuals. I would add Kylie Minogue, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Nicki Minaj to this list as well.

Tell us about the new EP “Picture This”, what does this body of work represent to you?

“Picture This” is my introduction of myself in/to this industry… My literal and fantastical quest for pop stardom. I’m pitching myself to the industry… to the lifestyle… to the people… convincing them to join me in the spectacle that is pop… commodifying the drama of the ”it-girl”... the allure of the manufacturing of stars.

My life is daydreaming… coming up with this ridiculous Popstar fantasy lifestyle… it’s contrived, it's dated, it’s completely unrealistic, toxic, it’s unattainable, it doesn't exist… but it’s everything if ever wanted. So naturally, I wrote about it…and throughout the process, I kind of discovered some realizations that ring true with my experience in the scene/industry.

I’m romanticizing and exploiting the concept of 15 minutes of fame to get mine.

The EP starts by kind of romanticizing the classic messy LA Popstar lifestyle “popped another little pill and then I woke up in the hills” … and ends with my agony in realizing the reality… ”do I really have to move all the way to LA.. just to get over you”… using it as a scapegoat, or a strategy.

“Lullaby” sets the scene of the ugly side of glamour…” Bad Girls” relishes in it…Popstar romanticises it, “Picture” illuminates it, “Wax Dolls” identifies it, “Superstar” reclaims it/exploits it.

How do you want people to feel when listening to it?

Like the life of the party. Sexy, confident... and maybe even a little bit vulnerable.

Out of the 6 tracks on the EP, which is your favourite & why?

Omg, it changes every day….but right now maybe “Superstar”. It's something new, and different for me…sonically….and probably the most vulnerable/emotional track on this project. This theme of getting back at anyone who ever hurt me or broke my heart by making them watch me blow tf up...is dangerous but...therapeutic lol...for now.

You performed four consecutive sold-out shows in LA and NYC this summer, what was that like?

Sooo freaking fun!!!! Performing to a crowd of people singing back my lyrics to me is like the best feeling in the world. It's been super rewarding to incorporate dancers and choreo into my live sets….it really feels full circle for me....and the reception has been so amazing. I feel more confident with each performance, so I can't wait to do more more more!

Now after the EP what will you be doing with your time? Should people watch out for new music in 2022?

Making a ton of new music!!!!!!! I have so many new songs!!!!!! I can't wait to share them and begin the next era of Miss M. This is only the beginning.