It feels a disservice to an artist of genuine talent to reduce them to their famous parentage. With the increasing discourse around nepotism in the entertainment industry, all eyes seem poised on someone like Maya Hawke, ready to open the floodgates of criticism. 

With Chaos Angel, Hawke embraces the discourse with an impressive level of self awareness, while showcasing that her talents have earned her a seat at the table in her own right. 

Chaos Angel marks the third studio album from Hawke, following 2022’s Moss and 2020’s Blush. With a tight ten tracks of acoustic sweetness, underscored by Hawke’s signature airy vocals, Chaos Angel is arguably Hawke’s strongest entry in her discography. 

While Hawke is arguably best known for her work on screen, having gained mass popularity through her performance as Robin Buckley on Stranger Things and having a fair few of notable credits on her filmography like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Maestro, there is something about listening to her music that feels as if we are seeing Hawke in her truest form. 

The album explores themes of self reflection that at points veer into self-deprecation, with stand out tracks including songs like “Missing Out,” a vulnerable song that finds Hawke reflecting on the contrast of lifestyles shared between herself and her brother, who is a student at Brown University. 

“I was born with my foot in the door, and my mind in the gutter and my guts on the floor,” Hawke sings in the song. It’s a refreshingly self-aware view on the advantages her upbringing has brought her, while also pointing out the pitfall of growing up in the spotlight and the inability to keep a sense of anonymity. Other standout tracks include “Wrong Again,” and the album’s opening track, “Black Ice.” 

Chaos Angel also touts a number of different songwriters on the album, with most songs being co-written by Hawke and other notable song writers, including Bridget Kearney, Will Graeme, Benjamin Lazar Davis, as well as her brother, Levon Hawke. 

In peeling back the layers of vulnerability, and openly sharing her unique perspective with the world, Hawke demonstrates a level of endearment that is hard to miss. She sings of wanting to be “someone to talk to,” rather than “someone to talk about.” She writes of yearning for closeness, reaching for human connection, and contemplating overarching humanity. Arguably, the last five years have introduced the world to Maya Hawke, the star. Chaos Angel introduces us to Maya Hawke, the human, who (like anyone) just seeks to be known. 

And thus, I invite you to listen to Chaos Angel to get to know the humanity of Maya Hawke’s music. With its poetic lyrics and breezy acoustic feel, it may just leave you feeling charmed by Hawke, with an appreciation for her true talent.