LIBBY EMBER – “NEWS AT THE PARTY”
INDEPENDENT
Libby Ember returns with “News at the Party,” an energetic yet emotionally heavy indie-pop single that captures the dissonance of heartbreak unfolding in real time. Upbeat and instrumentally vibrant while lyrically raw, the track explores the quiet isolation of receiving life-changing news in a room full of people.
Inspired by a real experience, “News at the Party” reflects on the moment Ember learned that someone she cared about had begun seeing someone else and the emotional performance that followed. For the rest of the night, I just had to pretend to be okay with that and act like I never cared in the first place,” she explains. “But the second I was alone that night, all I could do was start crying. “For the rest of the night, I just had to pretend to be okay with that and act like I never cared in the first place,” she explains. “But the second I was alone that night, all I could do was start crying.
While the song was written the same night after returning home from the party, its evolution stretched far beyond that initial moment. The recording process marked a shift in energy, bringing together a full band arrangement featuring jazz guitarist Baron Tymas and drummer Thomas Sauvé-Lafrance. The result is a layered and kinetic soundscape where flute, piano, guitar, and drums intertwine, mirroring the emotional overwhelm at the heart of the song.
What sets “News at the Party” apart is its contrast. While Ember’s songwriting often leans toward slower, introspective arrangements, the song embraces a more upbeat momentum that masks sadness beneath movement and melody. The approach reflects the song’s central theme: feeling deeply hurt while outwardly participating in celebration.
“News at the Party” continues Libby Ember’s exploration of vulnerability, emotional contradiction, and the moments where private feelings collide with public spaces. Energetic yet dramatic, the single highlights her ability to balance candid storytelling with dynamic arrangements, turning personal heartbreak into something communal and cathartic.
Libby Ember is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter based in Montreal, currently pursuing her music studies at Concordia University. A self-described artist for the “yearners,” her music blends the raw honesty of indie-folk with the textures of dream pop.
Libby had a defining 2025 that cemented her as a “rising voice in the indie-pop scene” (EARMILK), landed two Spotify Editorial playlists, and saw her winning the Overture With The Arts songwriting competition.
ARTIST QUOTE
I really feel drawn to songs that feel like they have a hidden meaning. The sad lyrics get masked by the upbeat instrumental, which feels true to the experience of being sad while surrounded by a party.
Libby Ember
[Single]
(Independent)
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Artist Links
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