Learning More About "Problematic"!

"Problematic" is the newest single from and Between and AYĖL. If you haven't streamed it yet, you really should. Do it now, while you read this. While listening to the song, I knew that I wanted to learn more about it. Thankfully, both Between and AYĖL were willing to answer a few questions for us about the song.

Hope you enjoy what they had to say!

You recently released an outstanding single, “Problematic”. What can you tell me about it?

AYĖL: Problematic is a social commentary on cancel culture. It’s about reclaiming the label “problematic” as an act of defiance. Society constantly projects expectations onto us — how we should act, look, or speak — and this song is a way of saying: “If being my full, unapologetic self makes me problematic to you, then so be it.” There’s power in owning that.

How did you come up with the name for the song?

Between: It all started with the chorus — just a melody and a bass line played on the piano. The first lyric that came was: “’Cause everything is problematic.” That line set the tone. We knew we wanted to build the entire song — and its message — around that one word.

Did you have a favorite part from the recording process?

Between: Recording the vocal stacks for the chorus was definitely a highlight. Hearing them polished for the first time after editing — it just clicked. And honestly, working with AYĖL is always a joy. She’s such a brilliant vocalist; she usually nails it on the first take. Makes my job way too easy.

How did you come up with the cover art?

AYĖL: I had this vision of hanging off a fire escape in an urban Boston setting — something raw and slightly unhinged, to match the energy of the song. We brought in the incredible photographer Jvck Mvll, and our friend Bryce for behind-the-scenes videography. We experimented with a bunch of shots, but in the end, we went with something simple and striking — a visual that feels just as confrontational and honest as the track.

Do you have a favorite lyric from the song?

AYĖL: “Know where you are, looking for the chains to bring back the old me.”
This line hits close to home right now. I’ve felt like certain people in my life still try to hold me to past versions of myself — without acknowledging the growth or seeing me as whole. This lyric is me rejecting that — choosing to walk away from anyone trying to drag me back into an old narrative.

Between: My favorite is “You cannot change or replicate my cinematic.”
I’ll admit — I didn’t fully get that line at first when AYĖL wrote it. Even after she explained it, I was like, “huh?” But over time, it really grew on me. Now I love it. That’s the beauty of it — it leaves space for interpretation, and I’ve found my own meaning in it.

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I want to thank AYĖL and Between for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

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AYĖL

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Between

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