Maya Kuriel Pens a Painstaking Vulnerability in ‘A Quiet Collapse’
- Michelle Leung
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Maya Kuriel peels back layers with A Quiet Collapse, a deeper dive into the dark pop and atmospheric elements that have captivated her growing audience. Her sophomore EP, which dropped earlier this month and runs shy of 20 minutes, is chock-full of sonic experimentation. It embodies ‘less is more,’ stripping away instrumentation to instead focus on Maya’s breathless, nearly fervent lyricism.
The Korean American singer-songwriter zeroed in on the dark pop genre in early 2025 when releasing her song “DEAD WEIGHT,” self-describing a new era that was “more experimental, more dark, beautiful at the same time.” Maya jumps headfirst into heavy bass and harmonic, echoing layers that produce an inviting, almost ethereal sonic effect.
Act I details the intoxicating spark of a new relationship, with “Heavenly” painting an exhilarating picture with angelic, resounding vocals and almost haunting harmonies. Echoes in the background rocket from the left ear to the right ear, immersing the listener at the center of the all-consuming experience.
“But you were built just like a god
Sent from above to come lift me up”
Watch Maya’s live performance of “Heavenly” here:
"WORLD SPINNING” hammers in the development of an unhealthy obsession with a lover, featuring more addictive harmonic stacks with a sprinkle of distortion and heavy synths. “Static” is a slow reckoning, the quiet creeping feeling of doubt as the connection begins to crumble. With a notable absence of a driving beat, soft piano leads the song and strings add an extra, underlying layer of longing and uncertainty.
A Quiet Collapse details a journey through the “full life cycle of a relationship,” and finally getting the opportunity to experience love in all its complexities and challenges. “Interlude” marks the turning point, the moment the illusion shatters. The words are spoken instead of sung, allowing a sharper bite behind Maya’s statements.
“You left me standing in the wreckage of us
Asking questions I’ll never get answers to”
Act II kicks off with “Forget My Name,” featuring an infectious melody and blasty synths that slowly raise the stakes. Harmonics and reverb play a huge part in world-building, reinforcing phrases like “Making sure you won’t forget my name / Feel me when the house is haunted / Kill to see the look that’s on your face.”
The emotionally charged “Backwards” strips down to a simple piano, offering a breath of fresh air as it emphasizes Maya’s unwavering vocals and the strength she must now rediscover in herself. “Silent Treatment” gives a sense of closure to the relationship, reinforcing the lingering bitterness and completely opposing perspectives of both parties. There is no clean break, only a release of an intense emotional attachment and the start of a lengthy healing journey.
With just seven songs, Maya Kuriel has crafted a completely captivating atmospheric EP, her unique take on the classic toxic relationship. Those yearning for an outpouring of deep-seated emotion and nuance will walk away with magnetic tracks that embody a wholeheartedly transparent, almost agonizing authenticity.
Are you enjoying the dark pop universe that Maya Kuriel is creating? Which track resonates with you the most? Let us know in the comments below or connect with us over X or Instagram.
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Edited by: Martina Yee
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