Annabelle Tiffin to release a new single.
Across her first three singles, a young songwriter traces the aftershocks of memory, identity, and emotional endurance.
At 16, Annabelle Tiffin has moved quickly, but not carelessly. Since January, the indie-pop singer-songwriter has introduced herself through a sequence of singles that feel connected in tone and intent. Rather than presenting isolated moments, Annabelle Tiffin has built a small arc, one that begins with uncertainty, passes through disorientation, and arrives at a harder, more reflective clarity.
The first release, “Currents,” arrived on January 9 and set the foundation. The song leans into the idea of being carried by forces that are difficult to control, whether emotional or situational. Annabelle approaches the theme with restraint, avoiding overstatement and instead focusing on small details that suggest a lack of footing. There is a sense of observation in the writing, as if she is watching herself move through these moments rather than trying to resolve them. It introduces a voice that is measured but searching, one that resists easy conclusions.
By the time “Motion Sickness” followed on February 27, the perspective had shifted inward. Where “Currents” feels external, shaped by environment and movement, “Motion Sickness” turns toward internal imbalance. The title is literal enough, but the song reads more as a reflection on emotional instability, on the difficulty of finding equilibrium when everything feels slightly off. Annabelle leans into that discomfort rather than smoothing it out, allowing the tension to sit unresolved. It is a subtle progression, but an important one. The writing becomes more direct, less observational, and more personal in its framing.
That trajectory continues into “Whiplash,” her third single, set for release on April 17. The track has already secured a red carpet film sync placement, a notable early milestone that hints at the cinematic quality in her work. Still, the strength of “Whiplash” lies less in its placement and more in its clarity of intent.
“Whiplash” deals with the lingering effects of past experiences, particularly the kind that do not fully fade with time. The central idea is simple but effective. The initial impact of an event may pass, but its aftereffects remain, shaping behavior and perception in quieter ways. Annabelle frames this through imagery of physical strain, using the idea of whiplash as both a literal and emotional condition. The injury may heal, but the soreness lingers.
Across the song, she traces the tension between wanting to move forward and feeling pulled back by memory. There are references to isolation that persist even in the presence of others, and to the frustration of being unable to fully release what has already happened. Importantly, the song does not stay fixed in that space. By its final moments, there is a shift toward confrontation rather than avoidance. The writing suggests that progress is less about erasing the past and more about facing it directly, even if that process is uncomfortable.
Taken together, these three releases outline an emerging identity. Annabelle is not presenting finished answers, but she is consistent in her focus. Each song builds on the last, both thematically and emotionally, without feeling repetitive. There is a clear interest in the in-between states, the moments where resolution has not yet arrived.
Her background, shaped by a life across Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States, Australia, and Taiwan, offers some context for this sense of movement and displacement. It is not foregrounded explicitly in the songs, but it informs the way she approaches uncertainty and transition. There is a familiarity with change that comes through in the writing, even when the subject matter is internal.
Most notably, “Currents” also appears in “F Valentine’s Day” featuring Marisa Tomei, Virginia Garnder and Slylar Astin. With more singles planned ahead of an EP later this year, Annabelle Tiffin is still in an early stage. However, these first three tracks suggest a deliberate approach. Rather than rushing to define herself through scale or volume, she is building gradually, focusing on tone, perspective, and continuity. If “Currents,” “Motion Sickness,” and “Whiplash” are any indication, Annabelle Tiffin is less interested in immediate impact and more focused on staying with a feeling long enough to understand it.
An Interview With Annabelle Tiffin
We had the chance to ask the talented Annabelle Tiffin a few question about her most recent release, “Whiplash,” and her creative flow.
- Your music often feels very intimate and stripped back — what draws you to that kind of minimal, acoustic sound?
 I feel like when I’m listening to more stripped music, I am able to connect with an artist more. Don’t get me wrong I love a powerful production, but there’s also an art in being able to show your emotions using just your voice.
When you’re writing a song, what comes first for you: lyrics, melody, or a feeling you’re trying to capture? Songwriting is a very fluid thing, it really isn’t one or the other. Sometimes a lyric, or melody will come to me, or sometimes I actively sit down with my feelings and try to generate new ideas based on the emotion. It’s honestly different for every single song.
Your earlier work has been described as emotionally direct and honest — do you ever find it difficult to be that open in your songwriting? I don’t find it difficult to be open in songwriting. when I write music, of course I write it for people to connect with it, but I mostly write it for myself. As long as the song is based on a personal experience, songwriting is the most self reflective and honest thing I do.
How has your sound evolved from your first releases to your upcoming single, and what changed in your approach (if anything)? a lot has changed since I recorded my first song, Currents. I don’t actively try to sing different, but I know that I have definetely grown as an artist since then, which makes me so excited for future projects.
Is there a specific moment, place, or experience that tends to inspire your songs the most? I like to base the songs I write on all sorts of things. I find Inspiration everywhere- in movies, poems, and even everyday conversation.
- What do you hope listeners feel or take away after hearing your new single for the first time? while whiplash has a darker tone than my other releases, I want it to leave my audience feeling inspired, not pity. The song is about how the journey of letting go of things that are holding you back is long, and painful, but once you face your “monsters” instead of running from them, you will finally be able to move on.
