Maya Kuriel really said it best when she told her fans to, “send this to your narcissistic ex best friend.” Her latest single “Victim Complex” is a song that I’m sure we can all relate to in one way or another. The track tells the story of a friendship that has reached the point of no return. Friendships or any relationship for that matter are a two-way street, but in the hard-hitting “Victim Complex” it’s a clear, unhealthy one-sided relationship with someone who lacks self-reflection, remorse, or accountability. To put it in clinical terminology, a victim complex is when someone sees themselves as the victim in every situation, regardless if evidence suggests otherwise - a concept that Kuriel evokes masterfully. Kuriel’s dark pop track exudes frustration and anger, two emotions that are unequivocally valid in friendship that’s as toxic as Kuriel describes. Full of raw, impassioned lyrics like “You never forgive, and you never forget // Psycho-analyze till you're clinically obsessed // Take this as a compliment that you do it best // You’ve got a victim complex,” Kuriel holds her ground and leaves nothing unsaid.
Singing about a shattered friendship, Kuriel’s “Victim Complex” starts out with a haunting, slow burn synth beat that sets the tone for the new ex-best friend rage anthem. While “Victim Complex'' very much fits the singer's pop discography, the eerie synth beat leans into a somewhat more seductive R&B-esque tone just before the first verse hits — perfectly suiting her lyrics that speak of deep betrayal. Heading into the chorus, the song shifts into a more rapid, bass heavy beat that’s subtly reminiscent to Billie Eilish’s 2019 smash hit “bad guy.” Though the tempo change and electric drum section that strikes the latter half of the song are true standout points, it’s Kuriel’s voice that really cuts through. Her undeniable vocal talent weaves throughout the song and really hits home the true feeling and emotion of what it means to rid oneself of a destructive presence.
Maya Kuriel’s career is only just beginning. The 24-year-old, Seattle-born pop singer released her sultry debut single “Intoxicated” in 2020 and has proven herself to be a rising star ever since. Her love for music began when she was just four years old. As her talents grew, Kuriel further continued to hone her craft and started writing and producing original songs when she was 16. Her eclectic pop melodies and raw lyrics have led her to amass more than 40,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and rave reviews from magazines like METAL and Raydar. Kuriel’s musical versatility has been evident throughout her career. From the deeply emotional “Helpless” to the more upbeat pop vibes of “Hostile,” it’s clear that she’s not your average pop girly. In the midst of navigating her growing career, Kuriel earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Songwriting and Music Production from The Music Institute in Hollywood in 2023 — proving once again that she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Written By Giselle Morales
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