With her third single ‘Til’ the Sunrise’, Canadian-born, UK-based songwriter Athena Lim delivers a strikingly vibrant entry in her growing catalogue, one that dances on the fine line between introspective folk and unapologetic indie-pop optimism. It’s a song that feels like it woke up before dawn, clutching a bouquet of influences, and a restless kind of hope.
Lim has made it clear that she’s not chasing the sound of the moment. And it shows. ‘Til’ the Sunrise’ doesn’t follow a blueprint so much as it sketches its own, drawing from dusty folk reverence, breezy pop exuberance, and something just a bit unruly flickering beneath the surface- funk, maybe? Gospel heat? A heartbeat in double-time? Whatever it is, it works. This song is a mood swing with great taste.
There’s a duality at play here: a sweetness that doesn’t cloy, a fire that doesn’t burn out. Her vocals carry both a lilt and a low smoulder, and her lyrics land like quiet declarations, personal but easily adopted. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to hold someone’s hand and sprint toward something unspoken.
Credit also goes to producer James Atin-Godden, who once again matches Lim’s wide-ranging sensibilities with a layered arrangement that refuses to settle into predictability. Acoustic textures shimmer against synth flourishes, while classical hints and rhythmic pop impulses tumble over each other in playful contrast.
If her summer offering ‘Hello Frances’ hinted at range, this single confirms intention. ‘Til’ the Sunrise’ may borrow the language of romantic folk-pop, but it’s told in her own accent: passionate, peculiar, and wildly promising.
Her debut LP can’t come soon enough. For now, ‘Til’ the Sunrise’ will do just fine for those craving something fresh, heartfelt, and gloriously hard to pin down.
