Ahead of the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album Old Enough to Save Myself on April 4th, Rumia treats listeners to her poignant new single, “Role Model.” For fans of Maisie Peters, Taylor Swift, and Gracie Abrams, this track offers an evocative blend of reflective lyricism and pop sensibilities, continuing Rumia’s journey of emotional exploration through her music.
“Role Model” invites listeners deeper into Rumia’s sonic world, where lush soundscapes and airy guitar melodies swirl with buoyant production. The track’s central theme grapples with the painful realization that a person once held on a pedestal is no longer as untouchable as they seemed. In her own words, Rumia explains the song’s essence: “The song speaks to the moment when the pedestal crumbles–when we understand that the expectations placed on someone can turn into wounds, and that healing requires accepting reality and moving forward.”
The emotional weight of the track is felt through Rumia’s compelling storytelling. Lines like, “it took some therapy for me to take you off the pedestal,” and “you put me in the big box with the tag ‘some things I leave behind,’” give voice to the bittersweet pain of unrequited admiration and the disillusionment of realizing that those we once revered may not be worthy of the idealized status we gave them.
“Role Model” diverges from her previous single, “Shift in the Air”, by embracing a more upbeat, polished pop sound. The production here is cleaner and more accessible, with the song’s buoyancy perfectly complementing its somber lyrical tone. This track marks a departure from the moody, atmospheric vibes of her earlier works, yet retains the raw vulnerability that has come to define Rumia’s artistry.
Rumia’s impressive blend of personal storytelling and universal emotion positions her as a compelling voice in the indie-pop scene. Following her debut album Forget Me Not and accolades from prestigious platforms like Earmilk and Fame Magazine, “Role Model” only amplifies the anticipation for her upcoming album. With her fusion of synthetic and organic textures, Rumia’s growth as an artist is undeniable, and Old Enough to Save Myself promises to be a lush, exploratory next chapter in her career.
