The keen reader might remember New York-based songstress maniia from an article we published last summer, praising ‘one track mind’ as a “striking and eclectic piece steeped in 2000s pop nostalgia and haunting, moody synth tones”. We stand by our words: the talented creative draws from a vast pool of influences, walking the fine line between mainstream-leaning pop allure and alternative flair. ‘sugar free rebel’ feels even more leftfield and niche. Marking maniia’s latest effort, the track embodies a rather ethereal aural formula, one that’s packed with brooding textures, evocative melodies, and a whole lot of vocal processing, including an evergreen vocoder section.
Inspired by contemporary stalwarts such as Artemas and Tove Lo, maniia continues her long-standing exercise in timeless artistry, borrowing from the past and the present with peculiar nostalgia. The result is material that’s hard-hitting and boundary-pushing, but also familiar and relatable. Frequent collaborator Teddy Marquee joins the release on production duties, opening the floodgates for an EP to be released later this year, alongside a live show, too. It sounds like 2026 will be a pivotal year for maniia.
Delving deeper behind the song’s personal relevance, maniia explains: “Ten years ago, I had a legendary crashout at a club. Broke up with someone who clearly wasn’t on my level, grabbed a drink, and danced the heartbreak straight off the floor. Next morning? Hungover, maybe…but emotionally fine. It’s proof that spiralling doesn’t have to be sad. Sometimes, the best therapy is glitter, beats, and letting yourself go. Ladies, don’t feel guilty for your mess; sometimes you deserve the dance floor more than the bedroom.”
Recommended! Discover ‘sugar free rebel’ now: