Pop artist Smashby’s latest single, “Love Myself (How I Used to Love You),” takes listeners on an empowering journey of self-discovery, healing, and, most importantly, self-love. The country-pop anthem reflects on Smashby’s personal experience with heartbreak, stemming from the resurfacing of old emotions when an ex got engaged. “It’s been a while since that heartbreak,” Smashby explains. “But seeing him get engaged last year brought everything back up. It made me reflect on how much energy I wasted on him and how, after a few heartbreaks, I realized that energy would have been better spent loving on myself.”
This sentiment is the heart of the song, which Smashby hopes will inspire others to prioritize self-love. “People come and go in our lives all the time,” Smashby continues. “We have ourselves for as long as we live, so it makes sense to put that much love into ourselves instead of someone who might break your heart.” The single speaks to the universal experience of reclaiming personal power after loss and choosing to love oneself rather than seeking external validation.
Musically, “Love Myself (How I Used to Love You)” is a bold step into country pop, a genre Smashby has long admired but hadn’t fully explored. The song is filled with uplifting, open-road vibes, and although Smashby laughs about not being able to drive, he says the music makes him feel as though he’s cruising with the top down. This fresh sound signifies a new direction for the artist, who has experimented with genres like dance, hip-hop, and pop in the past.
“I’ve always had a love for country music and felt vocally and lyrically in sync with it,” he says. “I was nervous, but when my manager said, ‘Get ready Nashville, Smashby’s coming,’ that gave me the confidence to dive in.”
The song’s message of self-acceptance and embracing imperfections resonates deeply with Smashby’s personal journey. Growing up queer, he faced bullying and struggled with self-worth, but through music and self-expression, he’s learned to embrace his identity. Now, with “Love Myself (How I Used to Love You),” Smashby hopes to inspire others to embark on their own journeys of self-love.
The single is available now on all major streaming platforms via So Fierce Music, and is being distributed by The Orchard, a Sony Music company.
