“Turtleneck” - Maddie Regent | Review

Maddie Regent’s “Turtleneck" is a dreamy, nostalgic anthem about struggling to let go, where even the smallest objects or sensations bring someone back. Inspired by her 19-year-old self “being generally down bad for anyone and anything,” Regent shared on Instagram that she wrote the song after crashing out while watching Interstellar alone on a Friday night, with the urge to text her ex.

She challenged her boyfriend to weave Interstellar references into the song, pointing out that guys love to bring up the movie whenever they can. Lines like “I wish that you could see me way out here in outer space” and “I’m passing Uranus, and that’s somehow reminding me of how you used to taste” link heartbreak to the vastness of lost love, which can feel as infinite as the universe itself.

The title, “Turtleneck”, emphasizes how certain things, like a borrowed sweater, can hold onto love long after it’s gone. And then there’s the repetition of “Shake, shake, erase,” referencing the act of drawing on an Etch A Sketch, only to shake it clean, except some memories persist, no matter how hard you try to erase them.

With mellow moments that build into a rush of creative lyrics and instrumentals, “Turtleneck” is the perfect song to impulsively send to your crush or blast on a late-night “debrief” drive with your friends.

Originally from Toronto and now based in New York City, Regent has been making music since she was 12, using songwriting as an outlet for self-expression. Her indie-pop sound first gained attention in 2021 with her debut EP, MISS REGENT, produced by Grammy-nominated trio LIONCHLD, and her track EGO quickly became a TikTok favorite. Now, with her latest EP, Turtleneck, she continues to carve out her space as a rising artist to pay attention to.

Written by Izzy Hory