Brooklyn-based indie artist Alaina May has released “Casual,” a new single that explores the gap between emotional awareness and emotional attachment, marking the beginning of a new phase in the singer-songwriter’s career.

Released Thursday, the track serves as May’s first new music in a broader body of work she has been developing in collaboration with indie-rock duo TOLEDO, who produced the song.

At its center, “Casual” examines the complexities of modern relationships and the tendency to seek connection even when recognizing unhealthy patterns.

“‘Casual’ lives in that space where you mistake limerence for real connection,” May said. “After something ends, even the smallest moments of closeness feel heightened and intoxicating because they fill a vulnerable void. You can be completely self-aware, naming the pattern, recognizing the push and pull, and still not be able to stop yourself from getting pulled in. It’s that tension between wanting something light and realizing that, at my core, I’m just not wired for ‘casual.’”

The single pairs atmospheric production from TOLEDO with May’s understated vocal style, creating a reflective indie-pop sound built around themes of longing, vulnerability and self-examination.

The release comes as May continues to establish herself in New York’s independent music scene after relocating to the city in late 2025. Her move followed years of songwriting shaped by experiences growing up in a conservative suburb outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Raised in the Christian church, May has said her music often draws from her journey of self-discovery and her experiences embracing her identity as a queer woman after leaving home for college in Boston.

Those personal experiences continue to inform her songwriting, which focuses on identity, relationships and the emotional aftermath of love and loss.

According to May, her collaboration with TOLEDO began through a direct message and evolved into an ongoing creative partnership.

“Their creative process has made it so easy to find the natural feel and groove of my songs,” she said.

“Casual” is now available on streaming platforms and serves as the first release from May’s upcoming musical chapter.