Lia Pappas-Kemps Opens a New Chapter With “Towers”
January 23, 2026, Toronto — Lia Pappas-Kemps steps confidently into her next era with the announcement of her debut album Winged, due March 13 via Coalition Music. Alongside the news, the rising Toronto artist has shared “Towers,” a slow-burning new single that captures the emotional weight and quiet tension at the heart of her songwriting.
Rooted in vulnerability, “Towers” unfolds with restraint and intention. Propulsive guitar lines and spacious production give the song room to breathe, while Lia’s intimate vocal delivery anchors its emotional core. The track explores the fragile architecture of love, focusing on the moment when a relationship begins to slip and the instinctive urge to hold it together just a little longer.
“Towers” was written in Montreal with her cousin Elia and began as a living room demo that the pair grew deeply attached to. That original feeling remains embedded in the final recording, preserving the immediacy and emotional honesty that define the song. It feels personal without being insular, transforming a private reckoning into something quietly cinematic.
At just 21, Lia Pappas-Kemps has already emerged as one of alternative music’s most compelling new voices. Praised for her close-to-the-bone lyricism and evocative chord progressions, her work balances emotional clarity with melodic depth. Comparisons to artists like Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling, Alanis Morissette, Soccer Mommy, and Alvvays point to her influences, but her songwriting remains distinctly her own.
“Towers” serves as a fitting introduction to Winged, a debut album that promises a fuller exploration of Lia’s inner world. The upcoming record also includes previously released tracks like “Revolving Doors,” as well as fan favorites from earlier releases that helped build her growing audience across North America and beyond.
With Winged on the horizon, Lia Pappas-Kemps is clearly on the brink of a breakout year. “Towers” sets the tone for what is coming next: thoughtful, emotionally resonant music that lingers long after the final note fades.
Photographer Credit: Oscar Tam