Sydney <3 has everything in sharp focus on her debut single Picture Perfect — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The 16-year-old pop sensation from Toronto introduces herself to the world with this electric feel-good anthem that adeptly blends the soaring synths of Billboard chart-toppers with Korean pop music, bridging the sonic gap between Taylor Swift and Mamamoo.
Collaborating with Grammy winner Orlando Calzada (Lady Gaga, One Direction and Destiny’s Child) and produced by Adam Hurstfield, Sydney <3 cut her first single in both English and Korean, with the latter translation of the song done by noteworthy names in the K-Pop world: Seung-Hyun Kim (MC the Max, Lee Eun Mee) and Kang Minseo (Bastions, JTBC Girls on Fire). The track is a certified pop earworm tied together by a heartfelt message that’s sure to resonate with young audiences: The mental fallout from unrealistic societal expectations created by social media — and how to move beyond them.
Though it’s her first record, Sydney <3 is far from an overnight success. The multi-faceted young artist’s musical journey is 10,000 hours in the making, beginning at the age of three. She started off with classical training in dance (learning ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and tap), before taking up both piano and guitar. Then, inspired by the Pitch Perfect films, she learned how to DJ and started vocal training.
Her strong work ethic and raw talent paid off: Sydney <3 soon caught the attention of Hurstfield, who worked tirelessly to help her learn the foundations of songwriting and recording. They eventually made three singles together, all mixed by Calzada and slated for a 2024 release. Picture Perfect, the first, is rooted in themes that hold a special place in Sydney <3’s heart.
“It’s about the struggles of seeing things on social media and setting unrealistic goals for yourself, then realizing it doesn’t really matter,” she says. “I want people who listen to this song to feel like they’re not alone. No one’s life is actually that perfect — you’re fine the way you are. You don’t have to change or make it seem like everything is amazing all the time.”
Check out Picture Perfect above and below, and follow Sydney <3 on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
