Zara Smile – Fight Back (2025)
Building on the momentum of their recent single ‘Misplaced’, Zara Smile returns with ‘Fight Back’, a raw and resonant portrayal of Impostor Syndrome.
Blending haunting vulnerability with razor-sharp lyricism, the track delves into the weight of self-doubt and the persistent fear of not measuring up. Smile’s inner voice wavers between surrender and determination, capturing the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up even when it feels like the odds are stacked against you. ‘Fight Back’, and it’s nothing short of breathtaking, is a raw and deeply emotional exploration of Impostor Syndrome. The track solidifies Smile’s place as one of the most exciting and original voices emerging from the alt-folk scene today.
Zara Smile crafts a soundscape that’s as intimate as it is bold. Delicate strings and folk-rooted textures build gradually, evolving into an orchestral, heart-racing crescendo. Their fearless experimentation with time signatures and sonic layering speaks to a bold artistic vision, one that refuses to stay inside genre lines. With influences ranging from Laura Marling to Riot Grrrl punk, their sound is both timeless and thrillingly current.
Meanwhile, the lyrics are disarmingly honest. Smile embodies the sense of self-doubt while voicing the inner chaos with striking vulnerability. Yet within the chaos, there’s an undeniable sense of hope, threaded through soaring vocal lines and unexpected horn bursts that surprise and uplift.
With their music, Zara Smile is building emotional lifelines. ‘Fight Back’ is a statement of solidarity for anyone who’s ever questioned their worth but found the strength to carry on. As part of the Next Up North compilation by Come Play With Me Records, Smile’s voice is rightly being spotlighted, and we can’t wait to hear what comes next.
‘Fight Back’ is a quiet revolution from an artist who’s unafraid to dig deep. And one you’ll want to play on repeat.
Find out more about Zara Smile on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
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