With her new single ‘Treading Water’, London-based artist MOLTENO delivers one of her most immersive works to date, a dreamlike piece that floats between stillness and surrender. The song unfolds slowly, like the moment before dawn when light begins to touch the water, and you’re unsure if you’re rising or drifting deeper.
MOLTENO’s voice carries that uncertainty beautifully. It’s delicate but never timid, shaping the melody with emotional precision. Each breath feels intentional, each phrase carrying quiet strength. The production surrounds her vocals with glassy synths and subtle percussion, creating the sensation of weightlessness a sonic metaphor for trying to stay balanced when everything around you moves.
What makes ‘Treading Water’ stand out is its restraint. Instead of pushing for a dramatic payoff, it lingers in mood, allowing the listener to feel suspended inside its current. The track blends alt-pop clarity with cinematic atmosphere, echoing the ambient world of artists like London Grammar or Daughter while remaining uniquely her own.
I found myself returning to it repeatedly, not to find something new, but to stay inside its calm pulse a little longer. ‘Treading Water’ isn’t just heard; it’s experienced.
