Emerging indie pop artist Suki Summer discusses the emotional journey behind her latest EP, ‘Lovesick and Sick of Love.’ Fusing ethereal soundscapes with heartfelt, poetic lyrics, Summer delves into themes of queer love, heartbreak, and healing, providing insight into her songwriting process and the personal narratives that influenced each song.
There’s a unique magic in music that resembles a diary entry—raw, poetic, and filled with honesty. Suki Summer’s new EP, Lovesick and Sick of Love, captures this essence, presenting a rich, unfiltered perspective on the multiple dimensions of contemporary romance.
Over six carefully composed tracks, the burgeoning indie pop artist skillfully navigates through the experiences of crushes, heartbreaks, ghosting, and farewells, all while fostering an emotional intimacy that feels like sharing a secret. With her gentle vocal style and introspective lyrics, her music resonates as both diary-like and cinematic, ideal for lengthy drives, sunset strolls, or quiet moments of emotional exploration.
At the core of Summer’s artistry is a bold vulnerability that embraces the complexity of emotions. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Clairo, Mazzy Star, Lana Del Rey, and Gracie Abrams, her musical style blends nostalgic warmth with a modern edge. Songs like the airy “Summer Crush” and the heart-wrenching “i still want u” demonstrate her talent for expressing contrasting emotional states with effortless elegance. This interplay of light and heavy, yearning and release, characterizes both her music and the emotional landscape of Lovesick and Sick of Love.
What began as two singles quickly transformed into a more profound and cohesive project. As Suki shares, the songs naturally flowed together, narrating a story she hadn’t originally planned to tell. However, it’s precisely this spontaneity that lends strength to the EP: each song unfolds like a chapter in a deeply personal love story that resonates universally. Her storytelling is clear, yet it allows for ambiguity, nostalgia, and contradiction—much like love itself.
As a queer artist, Summer offers a refreshing viewpoint on a genre often dominated by heteronormative narratives. While her lyrics arise from specific experiences, they surpass labels and identities, focusing instead on the emotional truths at the heart of every connection. Whether reminiscing about a fleeting summer romance in “Marianne” or reclaiming her strength in the title track, Suki writes with unyielding authenticity. This honesty, both unapologetic and richly detailed, enables her to forge profound connections with her audience.
In her conversation with Atwood Magazine, Suki Summer reveals the stories behind her new EP, the significance of nostalgia and authenticity in her music, and the emotional process of crafting a record that feels akin to both a love letter and a farewell note. Prepare to immerse yourself in the dreamy, confessional realm of one of indie pop’s most promising emerging artists.
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:: stream/purchase Lovesick… here ::
:: connect with Suki Summer here ::
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Suki Summer © courtesy of the artist
A CONVERSATION WITH SUKI SUMMER
Atwood Magazine: Your EP, Lovesick and Sick of Love, feels like a profoundly emotional journey. When did you first realize this project was evolving into something larger than just a few songs?
Suki Summer: I initially wrote “Marianne” and “Summer Crush” as singles, but then I created three more songs over a few weeks. Since they seemed to flow together and tell a cohesive story, it made sense to compile them into one complete work.
You portray modern love in such a vivid manner: chaotic, temporary, yet beautiful. How do you feel your understanding of love has changed while creating this EP?
Summer: I remain a hopeless romantic, as I truly love love. My songwriting facilitates my processing and expression of emotions, yet I still view love as beautiful and integral to our humanity.
Each song feels like a distinct chapter within an emotional narrative. Did you purposefully structure the EP to narrate a story from beginning to end?
Summer: Yes, the storytelling unfolded organically, but when I arranged the track order, it became apparent that this sequence conveyed a complete narrative.
Let’s discuss “Marianne.” It feels both fragile and dreamlike, yet carries significant weight. What inspired that track, and who is Marianne?
Summer: “Marianne” draws from a summer romance I experienced last year. The guy was enamored with the book Normal People and claimed I reminded him of Marianne. Our relationship ended ambiguously like the book, making the connection fitting. In the song, I’m addressing him directly, suggesting I could have been his own Marianne.
As a queer artist, how does your identity influence the stories you convey through music? Do you feel freedom or pressure when writing from that perspective?
Summer: I see myself writing about captivating individuals who featured in my life, without overly focusing on their gender. I
Emerging indie pop artist Suki Summer shares her emotional journey surrounding her latest EP, ‘Lovesick and Sick of Love.’ With a fusion of ethereal soundscapes and heartfelt, poetic lyrics, Summer delves into themes of queer love, heartbreak, and healing, providing a glimpse into her songwriting process and the intimate stories that influenced each song.
