How Willow Captured the Feeling of a Panic Attack on Her New Single ‘Run!’ | The Breakdown

On the latest episode of Rolling Stone's The Breakdown, the musician explains how she tapped into a more angst-driven emotional pocket to create the latest single from her new album 'Empathogen.'
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[@tineshacopeland5414]

I wish more artists would be more intimate when discussing thier creativity like Willow has done in this interview. I have even respect for her as a artist and musician.👏🏽

[@RichardRosiles]

would this be interesting even from an artist that is completely unknown like myself?

[@sharonswa]

​@@RichardRosiles in my opinion, yes!

[@Tsag03]

I'm sayin!

[@Nelz91]

​@@RichardRosilesit might not get you views immediately. I mean look at Willow she doesn't get as many views as her peers. However if you strike gold with just one song and you already have that type of content out there someone like me would be more inclined to listen to more of your stuff if your passion for music comes across. When an artist has me googling techniques used in music that's when I know they care about what they do.

[@fivebyfivesound]

Moving forward, perhaps musicians will need to step more into openly discussing process and the more intimate underpinnings of the art, as AI becomes more adept at creating musical outcomes with sonic qualities that are less and less distinguishable from-and perhaps more aesthetically and psycho-acoustically pleasing than-human artists 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@JasTavares]

Watching her explain her own music and listening to all the meticulous-ness and how excited she is about it...its exquisite. She is poetry. She is an experience.

[@RichardRosiles]

definitely, the way she explains this is awesome. Making music is an experience for sure

[@AdvncdFinesse]

Yes the excitement is so amazing 🥹🥹🥹

[@sabastan333]

was literally about to comment that she herself, is an experience

[@newleft2254]

Cringe lol

[@nereydaluna_]

"Making music is the honor of my life, and im so happy to do it." Willow is truly an artist. So beautiful to watch her artistry grow

[@Onyinyechukwuyereuwa]

She loves what she does and that is called PASSION

[@completely_me75]

You can tell she really really lives and breathes the musician ship of her work. I lovveee that about her! That's what makes her music so damn good.

[@RichardRosiles]

@@completely_me75 definitely, it's awesome to hear people speak about things they are really passionate about.

[@Marta1Buck]

It's called odd meters and weird jazz chords.

[@fivebyfivesound]

@@Marta1BuckLOL. But how does she and her collaborators make it Pop so good?! 🤔

[@Gettothegone]

You tell em!!!

[@ad3098]

She knows her stuff. Very intentional, great vocal warmth & texture.

[@KolkhozWoman]

I love how passionate she is. The song rocks, but I have to say the Tiny Desk version is better. I can't stop listening to it it's killing me.

[@completely_me75]

She killed it on Tiny Desk. 🔥💚

[@nipsenchanted]

We on the same boat, just keep running running run run and run runnnn backwards every time it ends 😭

[@KolkhozWoman]

@@nipsenchanted she gotta give us a ten minute version at the least

[@ladykloves6310]

Facts!

[@ensabahnur3104]

I'm so Glad her Parents listened when she spoke up as a child. Look at her now, she's a real musician with a love for music, and not just doing it as a means to an end.

[@letalucy644]

Yes! It comes across so clear that she’s In it for the MUSIC!!❤🎶⭐️⚡️⚡️

[@Kardrey6]

She definitely needs to go into the theatrical music space. The emotions, feelings and textures she places in her music definitely will do well in film.

[@StasFortis]

Willow is one of those who truly lives by music, she inspires!

[@sauceysinister7924]

Yeah, cuz she never had to have a real job and all the time in the world to be creative. False idols?

[@_marso_marsel_6000]

@@sauceysinister7924 so you're jealous?

[@DrSimpleBeauty]

Like Prince always said….”Real music with real musicians.” Willow’s music is fantastic.

[@melsyoutube]

that cup of tea is DANGEROUSLY close to all the expensive electronics and someone who talks with their hands a lot 😩

[@adrianadiaz6224]

The comment I was looking for lol

[@DrSimpleBeauty]

I feel like there’s nothing haphazard about Willow. She’s intentional to the nth degree.

[@averyfossett]

😂

[@wisdomesetv]

😂😂😂

[@ELKvlt]

The whole time it gave me anxiety. One oopsy and the tea is going down.

[@nichelespeaks]

BEST DAMN INTERVIEW EVER! hands down. I felt like I was in the studio with her. i’ve always been a fan from afar but now I feel myself closer and will definitely be listening to the new artwork

[@luckyarchery]

I appreciate that she's so excited to talk about this song! She doesn't downplay the magic of it, but celebrates it instead.

[@marion5641]

Everything she says she wants her music to make us feel DOES feel exactly like that. Every song on this album is litteraly a piece of art that makes so much feelings arise !

[@nipsenchanted]

“ why should we get hurt first before we need change” that line hits deep, how true is it.why hurt oneself before healing

[@saycroche]

willow youre doing such a great job!!!

[@hieros-gamos]

Heavy agree !! This breakdown was awesome. I feel so honored to witness her greatness as it is continually debuted to the world.

[@carlopangan2308]

The way she talk, she’s like her father but in a different way. Love her passion and music.❤

[@aligned.aligned]

I think it's so beautiful how she refers to her voice as an instrument. she is completely immersed in the music. she is the music. empathogen is such a gift.

[@mafaldaluciano4194]

This girl got a fan, really enjoying her music and work. She certainly knows pain

[@nichelespeaks]

it was the break down of her vocals for me!!!!

[@carlybun231]

"I don't wanna leave, but I don't wanna stay" is one of the most relatable phrases in a song I've ever heard. this is currently my favorite song on the album, the second I heard it on Tiny Desk prior to album release I was WAITING for it so eagerly. this is a super cool video!

[@rbvibezz6686]

Shes such a musician i love it

[@poppysilk365]

I’m so used to all of these celebrities talking super slow and almost cathartic. Almost like they learned how to “talk” in media training. Willow is not worried about looking and sounding cool. You can actually hear her being excited about music.

[@taimartinez722]

Run! Is by far my fave song on this project...❤️

[@completely_me75]

I've listened to it about 20 times already😂. Good shit💚💚🔥🔥

[@letalucy644]

Same

[@Zex13000]

run was the track that really stood out for me on this album

[@shawngross5420]

Wow! The more I listen to her, the more I am impressed with her talent, creativity, uniqueness, and self-awareness. Willow is amazing, and it is a hoy to experience her art.

[@monique2299]

I fucking love this. i wish they would do this more with artists --- let them talk about their craft!! I love hearing about the creative process and all the little details --- it just breeds a deeper appreciation for the song itself. LOVED how she performed it on her tiny desk. come play a show in Seattle Willow!! 😭😭

[@jojobee42]

It's like listening to a college kid talking about their music project, and they're SO into their own stuff! lol

[@MARLONDRIVER]

willow is a breathe of fresh air, love hearing her elaborate on my fav song on the album 🫶🏻

[@landakcokelat]

They said you will sometimes find your emotion or feeling couldn't be described as something explicit, but you'll find music, movie, book, or just a poem that will speaks it for you perfectly. And it is right. This song perfectly speaks it for me :)

[@letalucy644]

Run hits so hard to the core of my being. That last 20 seconds of the song makes me want to fly and cry. ❤

[@YoniGateKeeper]

I love how intimate this feels to listen to her share her creative process 🦋✨

[@FreDGuitaRtv]

It’s crazy to witness her evolution trough music and composition, and so young too, kid gonna go far

[@yveanmore]

You are a true artist. All the way to your bones.

[@MrRulhento]

Could we please please have an acapella version of this song. I need it; I really do.

[@letalucy644]

She’s AMAZING. I’m BLOWN away. She’s a real artist. Holy crap. I’m obsessed with this album!!!!!❤🎉❤

[@realSimoneCherie]

I too need mostly bass, drums and vocals to be happy 😊

[@munchie294]

I am literally in LOVE with Willow. Have been, always will be!

[@ernanidutra2711]

I love competent and self-committed artists with their art as Willow is! It's so passionate when we have someone who builds so properly and talks with so much confidence about what they do.

[@hyperactiveintrovert.5363]

Best song! That ending run melody is beautiful!

[@keymibenitez]

It's truly lovely to see how passioned she is about her work, she's an amazing artist and she deserved the recognition.

[@itsmichele]

So many things that she says resonates with me. The music she shares is complicated, deep and wildly artistic. Two words, absolutely amazing.

[@mustardpotatoes]

Her artistry and her discipline for her craft is so magnetizing. This is an incredible album❤

[@aniasuniverse]

I love how passionate she is with music and she gets better and better over time like wine. I Enjoyed this breakdown🔥🔥🔥💕

[@actweetS]

She is such an interpreter, the full artist package ❤

[@thefirstdraft4335]

So honest, straightforward, and beautiful 🤍

[@TayloryvStudio]

wish there was a breakdown of every song on the album this was so amazing to watch!!

[@MarchforCollege]

WILLOW CREATED A MASTERPIECE! Love True musicians!

[@pachamama1158]

one of the best artists of her generation!

[@Evolved-]

What a great, thoughtful artist she has become. I'm absolutely blown away by her new album. Just WOW!

[@11HiGhViBiN11]

Im holistically obsessed with this album! How much she's grown as an artist is exquisite. Im so grateful her performance on NPR tiny desk concert popped on to my feed 🙏🏽🌌 I can't get enough of this album right now she's absolutely crushing it! It has its own universal vibe

[@saintkevinofficial]

That tea mug on the mixing console desk is messing me up man. Especially near a person who's constantly using overly expressive hand gestures.🤣

[@ZeeKansiime]

😂😂😂 right

[@b612redips]

I was thrilled entire clip :O

[@madihanurulhafeeza3739]

Lol you're just like me 😅but calm down buddy... It'll be just fine

[@MindfulMastery-TheThrivingSage]

The ALCHEMY of ""RUN"

[@yellpatzy2764]

She totally gets it! The drum the base!!!

[@honzacertek1564]

The way i connected to this song instantly and the most out of the album😮‍💨

[@2_st0ned70]

she is obsessed with music and i love it. she will produce legendary songs

[@marcellmell0]

I loved this description, this music, and how Willow talks about it. I can feel these nuances, the flow. All this passion inspire me completely.

[@kymli3282]

she emanates so many emotional/spiritual experiences through so many channels, music being one of multiple. During times when I couldn't locate my emo standings alone, she's taken me to therapy & the class of self-actualization, realization... & for years she has reminded me of the breezy-free, higher level earned freedoms rarely found thereafter. Willow, thank you for making the conscious choice to continuing to grow, flow & glow at your own merit Mamas. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." In reference to an artistry, she's taking leaps that mankind can genuinely expand from, for now & many millennia's after. timeless being tingz.

[@Lobstrique]

this album is a godsend. thank you for the interview, it's so cool to hear about the process behind the music that impacts me so much

[@okuhlekomsani3088]

I love this song and Album so much!!!!!

[@marion5641]

"Run !" is my favorite song of the album !

[@completely_me75]

Love this song. She is so amazing. All of her albums are fukn amazzziinnggg🔥💚 I wish more people would embrace her music. She ROCKS

[@TRU3-LOV3]

So happy to hear her enjoying this album! Created to create! Go Willow!

[@annabellepartnerincrime5348]

YOUR MUSIC IS SO DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER AND I LOVE IT 😊❤

[@JeanneDArte]

I don't know where my life will lead me but since I was a child I've always wanted to be a musician, a performer, a singer, a songwriter. And I finally allowed myself to really slowly start creating a life like that 6 years ago when I was 21. Now I am getting to an age where you start to get really scared for not managing to make any of the many dreams come true, getting scared like "should I stop with the BS and just settle for a career that gives me a somewhat predictable financial safety net for when I'm old' ... idk ... Willow is such an inspirational professional, honing her craft, carving out her own path. It is so beautiful to watch the way she speaks about her process. It's how I speak about mine. It's how many artists that are so full on invested in their art communicate their desires and their ways of making them reality. I cannot let go of aiming for this as well.

[@AA-hb6sc]

You should read the creative act by Rick Rubin. Maybe it's a good idea to get a job in the field that is closest to your artistry, so that you can work on your craft and make money. Maybe the stress of not making money can help you create more. This lady is fortunate to come from a rich family.

[@JeanneDArte]

@@AA-hb6sc thank you so much for taking the time to type out what you think might help in my situation. Thank you for that! Imma order that book now, it has been recommended to me a few times before actually. And yes true, I struggle with that financial safety part probably the absolute most and I find your input on this very interesting. Thank you! :) May you have a lovely day

[@lolsaXx]

I love how much she loves her music. Passion.

[@AdvncdFinesse]

Your aura and spirit is so infectiously positive and uplifts me soooooo much!!!

[@stillcelestial]

So cool to see her gratitude for the craft of making music.

[@Kenyas]

Yessss! Was waiting for this! Willow is in her own lane creative🫴🏾✨️

[@whitb2200]

Willow truly is an artist through and through. She brings the energy and spirit with everything she does!

[@leahwitz6833]

TRULY AUTHENTIC! It serves right now. ❤

[@JairTheInnovator]

Her brain is astonishing to watch work in action what a gift you have willow

[@linkinpark2380]

Willow is seriously so awesome!!! She creates incredible music; I love it and her 😍

[@Nasha0902]

Run is one of my favorite songs on the album

[@lysergicflacid]

I could listen to her talk all day for the rest of my life

[@lauraryan1674]

She just keeps getting better and better! such a beautiful, talented soul ❤ Love her so much ❤️

[@Beautiful_Wiki]

She's Vocal so cool

[@nadiaaraujo209]

What a fucking nerd! Love it! Great interview

[@intheglow5532]

Aww man she pierced me when she played and explained, “I don’t want to leave and I don’t want to stay”..geez tears 😢

[@ranbrewton7519]

I think this song would be great Acapella! I love all the inclusivity of the instruments and added effects but I would love a copy of this Acapella!

[@valeriefullilove5198]

Willow...a beautiful butterfly!

[@mightybruce1478]

My Favorite song from the album 💚 Willow you are a very talented Woman. Thank you so much for the music you make. I’ve been happy with every release. Im so proud of you 🙏🏽🥰 Wish more artist was this enthusiastic about making music

[@LKPLLC]

I thoroughly enjoyed the album. Trying to not over play it. She is a genius

[@pdpatdeschamps29]

What a wonderful artist !!! The fact that she goes beyond music makes her music so creatively beautiful ❤️🎵🎶

[@biancas2639]

Man, Willow bringing tears to my eyes. Love love love to you. I´m smiling all the way through I could listen to you for hours talking about this 🌻

[@Ilonamaee]

You can definitely get a sense of the suspense she talks about that makes listeners kind of panic at the end of that last verse. The more I do therapy and self-reflection, the more I recognize where my chemically-charged anxiety (anger) sits in my body. As I was listening to this song, I could feel myself getting pissed (heat in the center of my chest) off but I didn't know where it was coming from until she explained what they did there at the end. Great work on this one W

[@sandraconway]

Willowwww I love this ‘not a kid anymore’ version of you’ and I’m really excited about your new album Congrats and Many Blessings to you!❤

[@myrrabaity7033]

Well that makes sense. I listened to this and it definitely reminded me of the breathing and heartbeat when feeling anxious, the way she sang on the track.

[@OneSmoothWolf]

I knew the second I Heard Whip my hair by Willow she was a badass and very talented whip my hair Is such a hard song the beat is hard as hell and she really grew Into her sound real talent runs In her family all her hatters look dumb as hell now I always knew how Incredible talented she was

[@BrianYerby-he9jo]

I would love to just talk to her about music I love how passionate she is

[@hotlinks911]

She’s so talented 👊🏽❤

[@gorgeous_rissa]

Willow’s artistry is AMAZING!

[@preciousone9377]

Love Willow’s ability to articulate the prompts for her exquisite artistry.🎶💜🎶

[@Moonriseconjure]

She’s amazing young lady and I have to say I love this new album

[@rosanenoeli8567]

I love Willow's reaction to her own music! It's fantastic! 🔥🔥🔥

[@voiceinwilderness3482]

I was starting to get bored with music and then came Willow, thank YOU

[@LyssieLysse]

Love this! I love her! THIS is how a musician should act! Real, raw, and honest.

[@tinydancernyc]

Run! brought me into goosebumps and tears from the first listen, thanks Willow for your vulnerability and genius

[@AlaskaNavigator]

She's really into her own music that's for sure

[@TashaMac1201]

This songgg!!! 🔥🔥 We Love You Willow! That’s it! That’s all! 🫶🏾🫶🏾