Melbourne's own Lara Buchanan has just dropped her most vulnerable track yet. Released today, ‘Anatomy’ takes a deeply personal look at the singer-songwriter's gruelling journey towards a diagnosis of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), a medical condition that frequently goes unrecognised.
Trading the bright, anthemic pop-rock energy of her previous material for something entirely more visceral, Buchanan lays bare the physical and emotional toll of her health struggles. Speaking about the new track, she shared:
“'Anatomy' is a song I wrote about what it is liked to not be believed that you are sick. I was diagnosed with something called Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) at 15 years old, after 5 long years of not having answers, being undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed. MALS made eating incredibly painful, and made it incredibly hard to breathe. It was caused by a physical anomaly in my anatomy, but the worst part was not being betrayed by my own body, it was being neglected by the people who were supposed to help me. I truly hope this song can be of comfort to the many, many people who are experiencing the same thing, as unfortunately it is not rare. I want people to know that I see them, I love them, and I believe them.”
‘Anatomy’ offers another striking glimpse into Buchanan's highly anticipated six-track EP, 'Skeleton of a Butterfly', slated for release on 13 November through Community Music. The upcoming collection will also feature her viral breakout hit ‘Gold’ and the brilliant follow-up ‘Only Once’. Prior to its official release, ‘Gold’ had already secured an impressive 12,000 pre-saves. It quickly blew up on TikTok and landed a coveted spot on Spotify’s US ‘teen beats’ playlist alongside fellow Australians Tame Impala and The Kid Laroi.
That phenomenal audience response paved the way for a standout six months on the road. Buchanan recently completely sold out her debut headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne, played to packed rooms at Bigsound, and nailed an electric performance at Live Nation’s Ones To Watch event.
Having recently inked deals with Unified Artist Management and Community Music—joining an impressive roster that includes Ocean Alley and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers—the emerging talent is firmly on the rise.
Make sure to stream ‘Anatomy’ across all major platforms today, and secure your vinyl pre-order of 'Skeleton of a Butterfly' ahead of its November release. To stay updated on her upcoming set at Canberra's Spilt Milk and future announcements, give Lara Buchanan a follow on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
