Colin 
Gia Lily is returning with a clear sense of intent. After a year away from releasing music, the London-based artist is starting 2026 with ‘hi’, the first track in a self-led project that will see her release one new song every month across the year. Rather than positioning the run as a reset or reinvention, the focus sits on consistency, presence, and creative honesty.
The new project follows a strong 2024 run that included ‘I’d Do It For You’, a pop-rock release that stood out for its emotional directness and grounded energy. That track showed Gia’s ability to sit comfortably between intimacy and impact, using guitars and restrained production to support the weight of the song rather than overwhelm it. The year ahead builds from that foundation, shifting the emphasis toward reflection without losing clarity.
‘hi’ sets the emotional tone for what follows. The song centres on showing up before you feel ready and learning to exist within uncertainty instead of trying to tidy it away. It frames growth as something ongoing and unresolved, which feels fitting for a project designed to unfold gradually rather than arrive fully formed. Each monthly release becomes a snapshot rather than a destination.
Sonically, ‘hi’ moves closer to the listener. The production stays intimate and measured, leaving space for vocal nuance and lyrical detail. Instead of reaching for height or volume, the song stays attentive to pacing and texture. That closeness reinforces the theme of presence and allows the track to feel conversational rather than performative.
Gia has spoken about returning with music that feels more aligned with who she is now. That sense of alignment comes through in the song’s restraint. Where earlier releases balanced polish with emotion, ‘hi’ prioritises feeling settled in the process itself. It does not rush to resolve tension or offer neat conclusions. Instead, it sits comfortably with the messiness it describes.
Choosing consistency over pressure
Committing to one release every month places emphasis on routine and trust. It removes the expectation that any single track needs to define the year. Instead, the focus shifts toward accumulation, where meaning is built over time rather than condensed into one moment. That approach suits an artist whose writing thrives on nuance and emotional specificity.
The structure also suggests a growing confidence in her instincts. Sharing work regularly requires acceptance that songs can exist as honest records of a moment rather than polished endpoints. That mindset feels like a natural progression from where Gia left off in 2024, when her songwriting became more assured and emotionally clear.
‘hi’ also signals a narrowing of focus. While Gia continues to draw influence from contemporary pop, the song favours closeness over scale. The arrangement stays controlled, and the delivery remains grounded. That balance gives the track a sense of calm authority, even as it speaks about uncertainty and becoming.
Early response to the release has been strong, indicating an audience ready to engage with a longer-form creative arc. More importantly, the monthly format encourages sustained attention rather than quick turnover. Listeners are invited to follow the project as it unfolds, building familiarity through repetition rather than anticipation alone.
There is something quietly confident about the scale of the idea. It is ambitious without being inflated. Instead of framing the year as a defining era, Gia positions it as an ongoing commitment to showing up and sharing work as it exists in real time. That framing feels honest and well matched to the themes introduced in ‘hi’.
If this first release is any indication, the year ahead will prioritise emotional clarity, controlled writing, and songs that feel lived with rather than overworked. For an artist who has already shown she understands restraint, the format feels thoughtfully chosen.
Review
‘hi’ does not try to announce itself. The song arrives gently and stays grounded, letting tone and delivery do the work. By keeping the arrangement minimal and focused, Gia allows the lyric to sit naturally, without asking for attention it has not earned.
What makes the track work is its comfort with incompleteness. There is no rush to resolve feeling or reach a conclusion. Instead, ‘hi’ feels like a pause taken seriously. As the opening track in a year-long series, it suggests an artist willing to trust time and consistency rather than impact alone.
You can keep up with Gia Lily‘s year of music on Instagram and pre-save ‘hi’ here.