Pop can provide the ultimate release. Just ask Natalie Major. The Chicago-born and Los
Angeles-based singer and songwriter translates raw emotion and relatable experiences into
anthemic and ambitious pop punctuated by down-tempo beats, skyscraper-size vocals, and
unabashed and cathartic honesty.

“I want to create something that’s simultaneously soulful, unconventional, and identifiable,”
she explains. “Music has always been cathartic for me. Sad songs often make me happy. The
deeper they are, the more I feel. Since we all have a little darkness inside of us, I mostly write
for a therapeutic and emotional release.”

So far, she’s quietly achieved that just under the radar. After moving to L.A. to pursue a lifelong
musical dream back in 2014, the artist bubbled up with a series of high-profile songwriting
placements and vocal spots. Among those, she penned and featured on Bobby Puma’s
“Someone Somewhere,” and Tiësto included the track’s “Tiësto Edit” on the fourth installment
of his popular Club Life series: Club Life, Vol. 4 – New York City. “Someone Somewhere” peaked
in the Top 5 of Beatport’s Top 100 and landed on Spotify’s Global Viral Top 50. Next, the
songstress teamed up with Dutch sensation Showtek and Brooks for “On Our Own,” which
clocked over 11.2 million Spotify streams in under six months. Meanwhile, 2K tapped her to
sing the “Star Spangled Banner” and Canadian National Anthem for both NBA 2K15 and NBA
2K16. By 2017, her cumulative streams would exceed 20 million and counting. However,
audiences get to finally experience her unfiltered vision in 2018.

Natalie’s forthcoming solo debut represents a watershed moment for her as she quite literally
returned from the brink physically and emotionally stronger than ever. While on a 2015 trip to Thailand, she lost control of a motor scooter, crashed into a bus, and sustained a concussion and fractures on her arm and leg. The pressures of a near eight-month recovery took a serious toll on her long-term relationship, leading to its end. After enduring post-concussive syndrome and regaining her ability to sing, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to this debut.

“What caused me to write the bulk of the new project was the accident, the breakup, and all of
these hardships,” she admits. “I wanted to find this balance between beauty and melancholy.”
She first struck this balance on 2017’s “Human” in collaboration with Robot Koch. Driven by an
undeniable hook and vivid lyricism, it quickly crossed the 100k mark on Spotify. She kicked off
the new year with “Waves.” Receiving its premiere in the Freeform series grown-ish, the single ebbs and flows between breathy verses and a seismic and soaring chorus that’s as empowering as it is entrancing.
“It was about the breakup,” she goes on. “I needed to write it. My heart was so heavy, and I felt so much lighter for having done it. I always knew I had to put it out. It’s the right time.”

Now is also Natalie’s moment. With music and touring planned throughout 2018, she stands
poised to connect like never before.

“I’d love to help people relate to one another, so they don’t feel alone,” she leaves off. “By
being honest, I’m showing empathy and understanding. Music is a connective experience, I hope to be a part of that.”

Rick Florino