PHOTO CREDIT: Dylan Overhouse
When it comes to her disarmingly honest music, alt-pop singer/songwriter Carlie Hanson doesn’t lock up the contents of her heart — she’s never even had a key made. She lays things bare, navigating the often rough waters of life through intimate and impeccable songcraft.
On her latest diary-honest single, the mid-tempo “Take My L,” Hanson remains musically fearless. Her pain is felt in the fragile and crystalline timber of her gorgeous voice, but the song is threaded with a note of hope.
“I was definitely not in the best place mentally when I wrote this song,” Hanson shares. “I was struggling balancing work, personal stuff, and being unhappy living in L.A. I didn’t really know if I was on the right track, because things weren’t going upward in my life. I felt like I was at a standstill and not accomplishing my goals.”
She clarifies that the “L” isn’t what listeners might assume:
“People think the ‘L’ means ‘life,’ but it’s actually about taking a loss — like the slang saying ‘Take the L,’ meaning accept defeat.”
Hanson’s latest EP, too late to cry, is out now via Fearless Records.
My Reaction
I can’t get enough of “Take My L.” The song hits with so much honesty and feeling — especially lines like “Feel like I don’t wanna save myself / Feel like I just wanna take my L.” You can feel how real that moment is. Carlie’s voice carries every bit of that weight, but there’s also this quiet strength underneath it. It’s the kind of track that makes you stop what you’re doing and just listen. A moving and unforgettable song that shows why Carlie is one of alt-pop’s most compelling voices.
About Carlie Hanson
Carlie Hanson’s music captures the sound of tears drying, acceptance forming, and confidence growing. The Wisconsin-born alternative pop singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer processes emotions through timeless pop craftsmanship.
She broke through at 17 with “Only One” in 2017, earning a co-sign from Taylor Swift and over 77 million Spotify streams. Her catalog — including “Us,” “Mood,” “Toxins,” “Numb,” and “Back In My Arms” — has amassed hundreds of millions of streams, with praise from Billboard, Alternative Press, PAPER, and more.
Following Tough Boy (2022) and Wisconsin (2023), Hanson returns with her 2025 debut EP for Fearless Records, too late to cry, a bold reflection of growth, heartbreak, and resilience.
I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.
