Awkward conversations rarely come with a soundtrack. For South Wales pop artist MACY, they come with a hook, a punchline and a chorus you can sing along to.

Her single “Please Keep Talking” takes the familiar experience of being stuck in an uncomfortable exchange and transforms it into bright, tongue-in-cheek pop. Instead of dramatizing the moment, the track leans into humor and relatability, pairing glossy production with everyday storytelling.

The idea came from a situation most people recognize.

“I think we’ve all been in this situation, whether it’s someone you know really well or a complete stranger,” MACY said. “I just wanted to write a song that everyone could relate to!”

The song feels playful on the surface, but there is a layer of self-awareness underneath. For MACY, humor creates space to express honesty without making the tone feel heavy.

“I never take anything too seriously, and I wanted to bring that into this track,” she said. “I wanted to add my personality and make sure my humor came across. I didn’t want the song to be too harsh, haha!”

That balance between lighthearted and reflective has become part of her signature. Her music often carries an unapologetically feel-good energy, even when it is rooted in more complicated emotions.

“I do love a feel-good track,” she said. “I’ve actually written a few ballads. I usually write these when I’m not feeling too bright.”

MACY began writing and recording much of her music in her bedroom, a space she still considers central to her creative process. During lockdown, that room became her studio, rehearsal space and sounding board.

“To be honest, when I was younger and in lockdown, I used to do this quite a lot,” she said. “I love going to the studio and collaborating. It’s the best! I still love to write songs from my bedroom, though. It’s my safest place. I always practice the way I’m going to sing my tracks before arriving at the studio.”

That preparation carries over to larger rooms. Still in her mid-20s, MACY has performed at venues ranging from local festivals to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, where she sang in front of 50,000 people.

“Honestly, wherever I perform, I try to have the same mindset,” she said. “I need to get in the zone, whether it’s 50 people or 50,000! The Principality Stadium is something I will never forget, especially being Welsh too!”

Working with producer Zak Lloyd added another dimension to her sound. Lloyd, whose credits include work connected to the Taylor Swift Reputation Tour and collaborations with Calum Scott, Wonho, The Stickmen, Charli XCX and Keane, helped shape the polished edge of “Please Keep Talking.”

“Zak is amazing at what he does, and he encourages me to try new things every time we create a track together,” she said. “I think the arena-ready edge motivates me to perform at arenas!”

MACY grew up in Blaenau Gwent, an area where pop music is not always the dominant genre. Choosing that path required confidence and persistence.

“I think doing something different in a small town is always a struggle,” she said. “I was 11 years old when I realized I wanted to pursue music. I should have been doing my math homework haha! Seriously though, I do think if you’ve got a dream, wherever you’re from, you’ve just got to do it!”

Her journey from bedroom demos to national radio support has unfolded steadily. Since her 2020 debut single “Cinema,” she has released two EPs and built a growing catalog of singles. She has earned multiple BBC Radio Wales A-list placements and recently appeared on BBC Radio 1’s “Breakfast Show.” Her live résumé includes the BAFTA Cymru Awards, Focus Wales, 110 Above Festival, Swansea Fringe and the international M For Montreal Festival. She has also curated her own Cardiff mini-festival, PLANET POP, and performed alongside Emeli Sandé on the Scott Quinnell Christmas Show.

Despite those milestones, MACY said her definition of success remains personal.

“Being able to make music everyday is the absolute dream,” she said. “Whether that’s writing for others or just working in a studio. To keep inspiring the younger creatives too, I think this is so special as it used to be me thinking I could never be a pop artist from Abertillery.”

That desire to inspire has led her back into classrooms and community spaces across South Wales. She regularly speaks with young creatives about pursuing music, especially those who feel disconnected from the industry.

“It’s so nice when I get to chat with the younger generation,” she said. “I think because I was their age when I realized this was what I wanted to do. It’s really motivating for them to follow their dreams. I tell them to keep going and to never give up on their dreams. If you love something that much, you will have it in you to keep going.”

Her own influences help anchor those conversations. Artists such as Jessie J, Dua Lipa and Olivia Dean shaped her understanding of performance and pop longevity.

“Jessie J was the first artist that influenced me,” she said. “I sang ‘Price Tag’ at every talent competition I entered as a kid. Seeing Dua Lipa bloom from the age of 16 to stadiums is amazing. I love her passion for music, and how she performs is incredible.”

In “Please Keep Talking,” MACY blends that arena-scale ambition with a scenario that feels universal. The song does not take itself too seriously, but it reflects a clear sense of identity. It captures the small, human moments that often go unsaid and turns them into something bright and memorable.

For MACY, that is the point. Even the most uncomfortable exchange can become a chorus.