San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Clarity Liao steps into the spotlight with her latest single, “Hurt My Heart”, a poignant pop track that blends technical skill with raw emotional honesty. Written and recorded at just 12 years old, the song signals Clarity’s transition from principal songwriter of award-winning band Navillera to a solo artist forging her own path.
Since composing her first songs at age seven, Clarity has honed her craft across piano, guitar, and vocal performance. Her early recognition came through Navillera’s debut single, “Too Young” (2024), winner of the Yamaha National Best Popular Music Award, and “I Need You”, which secured first place in the 2025 YMS National Composers competition. Now, she channels that experience into her solo work, exploring indie pop, R&B, bedroom pop, and modern doo-wop on her upcoming EP, Dear…, a project centered on love, jealousy, and loss.
“Hurt My Heart” draws from Clarity’s own experiences of betrayal and loneliness, capturing the vulnerability of youth with surprising musical sophistication. The track features complex chord progressions and intricate vocal arrangements, reflecting Clarity’s meticulous approach to recording her first fully solo studio effort.
Influenced by contemporary artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, and Regina Spektor, as well as timeless voices such as Celine Dion and Frankie Valli, Clarity delivers a sound that is both modern and timeless. Her lyrics cut deep yet resonate universally: “I wrote this song for you, cus it hurt my heart to see you cry.”
With “Hurt My Heart”, Clarity Liao not only showcases her technical prowess but also her commitment to authenticity. The single is available on all streaming platforms and offers the first glimpse into an introspective, genre-blurring EP that promises to cement her status as one of pop’s most compelling emerging voices.
