Watching mxmtoon grow both into herself and her music these past five years has been no short of a treat. 23-year-old Maia has been making music under the name mxmtoon since 2017, and released her debut EP plum blossom on December 7th, 2018. To mark the 5 year anniversary, she decided to go back into the studio and create “revisited” versions of the songs on that EP, along with a few of her other older songs. The 7 songs that Maia reworked were originally created on her computer in her childhood bedroom while she was in high school, and she wanted to give the songs a new life with the resources she didn’t have 5 years ago. The original EP means so much to me, and the revisited version is everything I could’ve asked for and more.

the idea of you (revisited)

Opening up the revisited EP, “the idea of you” was the song that transformed the most from its original version. Maia said that she had been listening to a lot of Lily Allen and Regina Spektor when making these new versions and wanted to incorporate the lively, vibrant sound common in their music into the new version of the song. Starting off with just ukulele strums, the song is immediately given a new foundation with shakers and xylophone. Adding piano and bass at the end of the first pre-chorus, the chorus comes in vibrant and energetic with a bass drum that gives the song almost a whole new life. The new production complimenting both Maia’s original lyrics and her matured vocals, “the idea of you (revisited)” is an immediate favorite off of the revisited EP.

cliché (revisited)

“cliché” was the first song I learned on ukulele back in 2018. It holds a lot of sweet memories for me, and it was the revisited song I was the most excited for. “cliché (revisited)” starts off the same as the original, just Maia and her ukulele. However, an unexpected highlight was the new addition of bass, emphasizing the chord progression that I know and love. The rhythm and bounciness is brought to a whole new light via drums and percussion, emphasizing the lyrics that so many youtube editors resonated with years ago that made the song go viral: “I didnt wanna fall but then I stepped right in / I looked up at your face and those eyes they drew me in / it was too late for me.” Everyone can relate to having a silly crush, and the lyrics to cliché still connect the way they did 5 years ago.

feelings are fatal (revisited)

“feelings are fatal” was the first mxmtoon song I was introduced to. Maia’s improved vocals get to shine on this revisited track, bringing a whole new light to her infamous lyrics: “I’m always sad and I’m always lonely / but I can’t tell you that I’m breaking slowly.” Even though the production did not change much, the growth in Maia’s vocals and the addition of resources she has now greatly increase the quality of one of her most popular songs.

stuck (revisited)

“stuck” was not on the original plum blossom EP, but Maia decided to revisit it to give it the production it deserved. The visualizer features the colors of the bisexual flag, hinting at the songs message of being stuck in between two places. As Maia was not out when “stuck” was originally released, revisiting the song was a full circle moment. Hearing the song now, after she has been out of the closet for 6 years and more outspoken about her identity, adds a complexity that it didn’t have before. The incorporation of new string instruments only adds to this and makes the song even more beautiful and heartbreaking. The feeling of being stuck in the closet is such an awful feeling, and Maia’s 17 year old self expressed it perfectly: “I’m stuck in the middle of two places / I thought I understood myself / But I stray farther from that everyday.”

temporary nothing (revisited)

“temporary nothing” is one of Maia’s most vulnerable songs, and it was one of the revisited tracks I was looking forward to the most. It is a beautiful exploration of how heavy depression can feel, and what life would be like without it. It brings a sense of comfort to me, especially at the end when she beautifully sings “I used to think that being numb would ease the pain / But I was wrong, I was so wrong / It’s just better to feel and know you’re alive / While reminding yourself that it’s temporary / Oh it won’t last for long.” The sound is so much fuller than the original, showcasing the resources and experience Maia has now that she didn’t 5 years ago.

hong kong (revisited)

“hong kong” is about Maia’s family and her experience of visiting them in Hong Kong. Imagery of the city opens up the song, painting a beautiful picture of her time there: “Red brick and bamboo towers / Line the skyline with much power / Yellow cars and smoggy skies / With neon lights that attract your eyes.” The addition of cello, an instrument Maia played for years, adds an aura of melancholy and emphasizes what she is trying to say. Family is one of the most important things to her, and being away from them is so hard. She hasn’t been back to Hong Kong since the song’s original release, and the relatively simple lyrics “Been years since I’ve been back” and “So much time has passed” are heartbreaking.

1-800-DATEME (revisited)

1-800-DATEME was the first original song Maia ever put out. Starting off as a joke on Valentine’s Day in 2017, it quickly went viral on Soundcloud and served as the basis of Maia releasing original music. A relatable, witty song about having a crush, the original resonated with many people and it still does to this day. One notable change is the first lyric – changing “guy after guy” to “girl after guy” as a nod to Maia’s sexuality. The humorous magic of the original has not been lost, with claps and laughter added to play up the amusing mood of the original version. It’s hard not to enjoy it with silly lyrics like “It’s Valentine’s Day / And I’m lonely and single / But it’s better this way / I don’t like to mingle But I do like Pringles.”

plum blossom (revisited) is a joy throughout, somehow leading me through all of the emotions in just 7 songs. It’s been a blessing to see Maia’s growth in these last 5 years, and I am excited for whatever she has in store for us next. You can listen to plum blossom (revisited) in full here: