Lily Stiven (pronounced "St-eye-ven"), the 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Whangaparāoa, Auckland, is about to release her latest single “william’s tragedy” on May 29th, produced by Phodiso.

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This release marks Lily’s second independent track, following her work with the Lion Foundation and Youthtown Play It Strange songwriting competitions. Its soft guitar and banjo partnered with the percussion give the song its chill, romantic vibe making it an essential addition to your winter 2025 playlists. 

Listen to “william’s tragedy” here.

The single is a soft, romantic ballad that touches on the emotional struggle of wanting love but fearing rejection and betrayal, trapped in a cycle of overthinking and heartbreak. Lily shares her own experience of navigating relationships and heartbreak: “Being a teenager and navigating relationships can be hard. The song is really about the fear of vulnerability — that hesitation to open up because you’ve been hurt before. It touches on that emotional push and pull, The

Shakespeare reference reflects feeling overlooked and questioning if the love is real or just temporary." 

At just 18, Lily has already shown steady artistic growth, with previous singles “Hopelessly in Love With You” (2021), “Lonely Days” (2022), “High and Dry” (2023) and “Look where I am” (2024). Drawing inspiration from artists like Olivia Dean and Gracie Abrams, Lily’s music blends pop, indie, and folk influences as she continues to evolve her sound and style. 

Whether you're cruising the coast or having a cosy night in, “william’s tragedy” is guaranteed to bring nostalgic, romantic vibes. With her fresh sound and authentic storytelling, Lily Stiven is one to watch! 

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Check out all things Lily Stiven below:

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Photo credit: Alex Judd (Procrastination Productions)

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