Following a stellar run of releases that cemented her as one of the most exciting voices in the alt-R&B space, Chanel Loren has returned to kick off 2026 with the release of her latest single, ‘Growing Pains’.
The track, which arrived on Wednesday, 4th February, is a masterclass in indie soul. It swaps the digital sheen of modern pop for a warm, grounded soundscape defined by a driving bassline, lush horn arrangements, and a bed of velvety background vocals. It feels like an instant classic—something that would be just as at home on a vintage record player as it is on a curated "Late Night Vibes" playlist.
Lyrically, Loren dives into the disorienting nature of adulthood. It is a song about the realisation that life is moving at a breakneck speed and the subsequent struggle to find comfort in that momentum. Chanel herself describes the track as a reflection on the "quiet tension" of modern existence.
“‘Growing Pains’ is about the quiet tension between keeping up with life and learning to let things happen naturally," Chanel explains. "As milestones stack up, expectations grow louder and societal pressure begins to weigh heavily on me. The only way I can measure the years is through archived photographs and social media past reminders. Growing pains are no longer a physical sensation but visual.”
The genesis of the song is as relatable as its subject matter. Chanel reveals the idea first sparked in her bedroom during a late-night scroll through social media. After seeing a former schoolmate hit a major life milestone, she was struck by a simple, daunting thought: “we’re not kids anymore.”
“I wrote the first two lines in a self-deprecating moment and carried on with my night," she says. "Months later in London, while creating music with the talented duo Aquilo, those thoughts resurfaced. Because at that time it felt like everyone around me was experiencing their own growing pains. While freestyling melodies, the lines re-emerged instinctively and we all ran with the idea which bloomed ‘Growing Pains’.”
Accompanying the single is a stunning music video produced by Sony Music Australia’s in-house creative team. Filmed against the urban backdrop of Sydney’s Inner West, the visuals perfectly mirror the song’s blend of nostalgia and contemporary grit.
With ‘Growing Pains’, Chanel Loren proves that while the transition into adulthood might be uncomfortable, she’s more than capable of turning that friction into pure, soulful gold. You can stream the new single above, and for more, be sure to connect with Chanel Loren on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
