Dublin-born singer-songwriter Lily McMahon is making her mark in soulful pop with a sound that brings together pop, soul, jazz, R&B and indie influences. Her latest single, ‘Not a Want’, is one of her most personal releases yet, exploring love, vulnerability and the process of leaving unhealthy patterns behind.
Written about her boyfriend Angelo, ‘Not a Want’ comes from a realisation that changed the way Lily understood relationships. After experiences with toxic relationships had shaped her expectations of love, meeting someone who offered something healthier forced her to look at the habits and patterns she had carried with her.
“When I met Angelo, I was at a stage in my life where I was used to dealing with toxic men,” Lily explains. “I had built up this expectation that I would have to deal with that kind of behaviour forever. Meeting him made me realise that I was willing to change the habits and toxic patterns that past relationships had taught me.”
That idea sits at the heart of ‘Not a Want’. The song looks at the difference between wanting someone and genuinely needing them in your life, while also recognising that healthy love can require personal growth. Lily approaches the subject with an honesty that gives the song much of its emotional weight.
The track itself began with Angelo Presta, who wrote the piano introduction that first caught Lily’s attention.
“Angelo had written the piano introduction and I felt a connection to it as soon as he played it for me,” Lily says. “The rest is history.”
From that simple piano foundation, ‘Not a Want’ develops into a soulful and intimate production, giving Lily plenty of space to let the emotion in her voice come through. The arrangement balances warmth with restraint, allowing the lyrics to remain central while showcasing her ability to move naturally between vulnerability and strength.
Lily draws from a wide range of influences, including Imelda May, Billie Eilish and Amy Winehouse. That mixture can be heard in the way she approaches both songwriting and performance, combining soulful vocals with personal storytelling and a willingness to explore the more complicated sides of human relationships.
Her music is rooted in self-love, vulnerability and connection, but Lily is also interested in creating songs that allow listeners to recognise something of their own experiences. ‘Not a Want’ does exactly that, telling a deeply personal story while touching on the wider experience of learning to recognise healthier love, confront old patterns and become open to something different.
For Lily McMahon, the song is ultimately about growth. It is about discovering that love does not have to resemble what came before and finding the courage to change when something better comes along.
‘Not a Want’ Credits
Lyrics: Lily McMahon
Producer: Angelo Presta
Guitar: Angelo Presta
Bass: Ernest Sirins
Drums: Liam Berry
Mixing & Mastering: Angelo Presta
