Artoffact Records – Queen City Sounds and Art

Madeline Goldstein once again demonstrates her complete mastery of composing percussive synth tone and rhythm on “My Own Design.” The song is about finding a way of handling the experience of anxiety and panic by projecting those feelings outward and describing them in words and wrangling them with captivating melody and dance beats. What Goldstein does in this song, as in others, is find a way to externalize what it’s like to live with those feelings that can feel constant or constantly on the horizon of consciousness threatening to crash in and derail one’s ability to function. Yet sometimes when you feel like you know what’s going on and can think through it you can ride through the worst of the moments with a sense of self preserved which makes it easier to pull yourself out of panic mode through an awareness of what’s going on no matter the specific triggers. In the song Goldstein sings about really feeling those feelings that can trigger one’s panic reaction rather than suppress them as a way to comprehension even if it can all feel incomprehensible in the moment. The circling vocal choruses are like mantras of being in the moment and work as anchors of a well crafted pop song which Goldstein has delivered in her recorded output to this point. Throughout the song Goldstein appears to sing about how she feels overwhelmed by feelings while showing how to propel oneself out of state of feeling helpless. Fans of Molly Nilsson, The Motels and OMD will appreciate the way Goldstein orchestrates her songwriting generally and the rich melodies and deeply evocative vocals that are simultaneously vulnerable and confident. Listen to “My Own Design” on YouTube and follow Madeline Goldstein at the links below. Expect the new album out in 2026 on Artoffact Records.