An emotionally stirring indie pop gem that feels wonderfully personal and undeniably authentic.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sloan Treacy may only be 16 years old, but her music carries the emotional depth and lyrical sharpness of someone far beyond her years. Drawing inspiration from icons like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Stevie Nicks, Treacy leans into introspective storytelling on her latest EP was any of it real?, a six-track collection of indie-pop reflections on identity, self-worth, and emotional complexity. One of the most striking tracks from the project is “Pavement,” which arrives alongside an official lyric video.

“Pavement” explores the emotional cost of people-pleasing—doing whatever it takes to be liked or accepted, even when it means suppressing your true self. Treacy describes the track as a reflection on “how focusing too much on seeming good in other people’s eyes can end up limiting you.” It’s a timely message delivered with stunning vulnerability and poetic clarity.

Musically, the track floats on a laidback blend of soft guitar riffs and warm, atmospheric synths. It creates a dreamy, comforting soundscape that wraps around the listener like a weighted blanket. Treacy’s delicate vocals shine through as she delivers poignant lyrics like, “I’ll vandalize my honest statements, Apologize without hesitation,” and “I follow the script that I wrote, I don’t dare improvise.” Her words carry both a quiet strength and a raw fragility that make “Pavement” feel deeply personal.

With was any of it real?, Sloan Treacy proves she’s a rising voice worth paying attention to. “Pavement” stands out not just for its sound but for its honesty, reminding listeners of the importance of self-truth in a world full of pressure to perform. This track is more than just a song; it’s a journal entry you didn’t know you needed.

Shari Hirsch

Chicago based writer and creative. Fan of 80’s horror, fancy coffee drinks, and late night drives.