Actor and singer-songwriter Lily Brooks O’Briant is stepping into a new chapter of her musical career with the release of her heartfelt EP Hopeless Romantic, set to drop on September 27th. Known for her role on The Young And The Restless, O’Briant delivers raw emotion and introspection in her music, particularly in standout tracks like “How Pathetic” and “One More.”
In this exclusive Q&A, she dives into the vulnerability that shaped these songs, the emotional cycles they reflect, and the universal feelings of heartbreak and self-discovery she hopes to convey to her audience.
How Pathetic is a raw, self-reflective track. Can you talk about the story behind that song and what message you want to convey to your audience?
How Pathetic came from a place of real vulnerability. It’s one of those songs where I let myself be brutally honest about moments of insecurity and self-doubt. It’s about feeling stuck in an emotional cycle where I was upset with myself for wanting this person back who hurt me.
I wanted to show that it’s okay to have those low points, to feel a bit lost, but also to remind people that they aren’t alone in that. We all go through it, and sometimes acknowledging those feelings can be the first step in moving past them.
In One More, you explore the difficulty of letting go. What inspired you to write this song, and how did you capture that feeling musically?
One More is definitely about that push and pull of trying to move on but feeling like you can’t fully let go. It’s inspired by that moment when you know a relationship is over, but you still find yourself wanting just one more chance, one more moment, even though deep down you know it won’t change anything.
Musically, I tried to capture that tension by starting the song softly and building up to this emotional release. There’s this mix of vulnerability and strength in the track, like you’re slowly coming to terms with the reality but it still hurts.
With Wait a Minute focusing on the immediate aftermath of a breakup, how did you approach writing about those emotions in a way that resonates with your listeners?
Wait a Minute is all about those raw, unfiltered emotions that hit you right after a breakup. There’s this initial shock, confusion, and pain, and I wanted the song to feel like a conversation you have with yourself when you’re replaying everything in your head.
To make it resonate, I kept the lyrics real and relatable. We’ve all had those moments where you wish you could just pause and process what’s happening before it all slips away. Musically, I kept the arrangement simple but intense, so the focus stays on the emotions and how immediate and overwhelming they can feel. It’s an upbeat song and I LOVE the honesty of the ending.
What can you tell us about the decision to make Hopeless Romantic the title track of the EP? What does that song represent for you?
Hopeless Romantic felt like the perfect title track because it really embodies the theme of the whole EP—navigating the highs and lows of love. It represents that part of me that’s always been a dreamer when it comes to love, but also someone who’s experienced the heartbreak and uncertainty that comes with it. The song is personal, and it speaks to that vulnerability of putting your heart on the line, knowing that it might not always end the way you hope, but still believing in love. It felt like the heart of the EP, so it made sense for it to lead the way.
How did working with a variety of producers across the tracks of the EP help create different emotional landscapes for each song?
Working with different producers was such a huge part of bringing each song to life in its own unique way. Each producer brought a fresh perspective and energy to the tracks, which allowed me to explore different sounds and emotional tones. Some songs needed a softer, more intimate production to reflect their vulnerability, while others needed a bolder, more intense sound to capture the emotions.
Collaborating with different people helped each track feel like its own journey, but still cohesive as part of the overall EP. It’s like each producer helped paint a different piece of the emotional landscape I wanted to create. I co-wrote all of the songs on this EP with my friend Ethan X Aragon. My amazing producers were Jack Roberts, Michael E. Gibson & Taj Bratton. I am so very grateful to have been able to work with each of them!
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