Pop songstress Liza Owen releases her long-awaited and highly anticipated debut EP titled Songs From Monte Nido today which features singles “GETTING GOOD”, a 90s tinged rock beast, the wildly infectious “STARRY EYED”, fiery “WHY AREN’T WE HAVING SEX?” and “JOSIE” featuring critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum country star and current ACM New Male Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen along with two brand new tracks, “CHLORINE” a synth heavy summer anthem in the making and the dreamy and nostalgic “EVEREST”.
Half Cambodian, half English, Liza Owen spins pop upside down and all around, with defiantly unfiltered lyrics, undeniable melodies and unapologetic grit. Originally breaking into the business writing songs for the likes of Selena Gomez and BTS, Liza finally lets us into her messy, imperfect, tear-stained, yet darkly glamorous world with the project presenting all the makings of a smart and deliciously subversive new star, one who stubbornly refuses to sand down her rough edges or present anything less than an image that is 100% authentic.
The release comes accompanied with a live video of “JOSIE” that sees Liza and Jimmie link up for a beautiful performance of the epic pop ballad, watch HERE.
Songs From Monte Nido is a collection of tracks Liza wrote with her collective ASL, a supergroup of hitmaking, Grammy-award winning writers + producers including Teddy Geiger (Shawn Mendes), John Ryan (One Direction, Maroon 5), Julian Bunetta (Thomas Rhett), Andrew Haas + Ian Franzino (producer duo Afterhrs), and Shungudzo Kuyimba (Jessie Ware).
Monte Nido is a small rural community nestled in the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains, inside the ridge off the coast of Malibu where Liza and her ASL crew reside and escape, with everyone living within just walking distance from each other, a modern day songwriting sanctuary reminiscent of LA’s Laurel Canyon neighbourhood in the ‘60s.
The making of this project spans a two-year sonic experiment with said musical friend group, and while you will find songs reminiscing on growing up in Cambodia and London, Liza’s overall sound, signature, and strut is discovered at the convergence of alternative aesthetic, country sensibility, and pop accessibility–a fitting soundscape to the very place the records were made.
