Her latest single ‘How To Be Loved’ is a hauntingly beautiful blend of vulnerability and sonic texture, merging a dream-like atmosphere with personal lyricism that hails an emotionally rich yet open-ended narrative where Ariyel invites listeners to not only witness her journey, but find themselves within it. 

‘How To Be Loved’ feels like a diary entry, with Ariyel pouring her thoughts onto the page. The song explores a relationship shaped by trauma, capturing the emotional push and pull between a person yearning for love and the other not knowing how to give it and the toll it has on that person, as conveyed through the lyrics “…and now you’re sleeping under my skin and making a mess out of me”. Ariyel perfectly captures a raw, intimate look at this scenario's complexities and emotional disconnect.

With haunting atmospherics built on delicate yet powerful instrumentals, slow, thudding drums, and hazy guitars come together to create a soundscape that’s both intimate and expansive. Ariyel’s vocal delivery is soft, elegant, and deeply emotional, evoking comparisons to Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’ era with shades of Phoebe Bridgers’ melancholic grace. 

Ariyel cleverly uses the track’s atmospherics and tempo to mirror the emotional journey. When the instrumentals are gentle and delicate, it reflects moments of vulnerability, whether that’s quiet hurt or fleeting happiness. However, as ‘How To Be Loved’ continues, it builds and becomes more sonically intense, capturing the growing frustration and heartbreak of someone who feels unloved and misunderstood. The rising intensity mirrors anger bubbling to the surface, creating a raw, visceral experience for the listener. 

This emotional arc is also echoed in the lyrics: “I always like to pretend that someday I’ll make you better” and “Start a fight just to win and dripping with kerosene”. These lines are delivered by gentle yet powerful vocals and convey a mix of desperation, self-deception, and volatility, deepening the track’s emotional weight. 

‘How To Be Loved’ is a testament to Ariyel’s ability to translate deeply personal experiences into a universally resonant piece of art. Through her careful layering of delicate instrumentals, emotional nuance, and vivid lyricism, she crafts a soundscape that is as introspective as it is immersive. The track doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead invites listeners to sit with the discomfort, to reflect on their own emotional truths, and find beauty in the complexities of human connections. 

‘How To Be Loved’ is a powerful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability, and it goes without saying that  Ariyel is a growing presence within dream pop, cementing herself as a vital storyteller.