Maddie Ashman’s debut “Toffee” explores the messy process of emotional reawakening with bold sound.
Avant-pop artist Maddie Ashman makes a vivid entrance into recorded music with the self-produced debut single “Toffee”, released through AWAL. Known for her work in audiovisual art and microtonal performance, Ashman now channels that innovation into an introspective sonic experience.
“Toffee” is layered with rich contrasts—glitched cello, crashing drums, and nostalgic mellotrons form a dense backdrop for Ashman’s delicate falsetto. The song feels unsteady by design, reflecting its emotional theme.
As Maddie puts it:
“I wanted to capture what it’s like to feel again and embrace emotions after a long time of suppressing them. The chord sequence was deliberately constructed to create a feeling of being constantly pulled in both directions – almost relentlessly ungrounded, yet also as if nothing is wrong. It’s totally exciting, confusing, empowering and overwhelming.”
Ashman’s growing influence on social media reflects her appeal to both artistic and mainstream audiences. With over 100,000 new followers and co-signs from names like Ólafur Arnalds and The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano, she’s building momentum quickly.
Live audiences have already embraced her—shows in London and The Great Escape sold out quickly, and her upcoming tour with Sungazer will continue that trajectory. Festival appearances will keep her rising star in view throughout the season.
