Daine Transcends Pop Stardom with Self‑Aware Artistry: “Embarrassing in a Delicious Way”

Words by Alex Rigotti

31st August 2026

When NME first profiled Daine in 2021, they straddled the hardcore and hyperpop worlds in a way many musicians didn’t. Their fantastical, futuristic artistic direction separated them from a pack of budding popstars. With collaborations with Oli Sykes, mentoring from Charli XCX and a major label contract, everything seemed to be on the up. Yet Daine remembers this time as a period of creative indecision. “It was really difficult,” they reveal, “and I was being pulled in different directions, looking at what was happening around me and being like, ‘What do I do?’”

After a string of singles, EPs and mixtapes, Daine revealed in 2024 they had been dropped by their label. Left “thousands of dollars in debt”, their grandmother died, and their longest relationship ended in the same year. They attempted suicide and were hospitalised shortly after. When they reflect on the events of that year, Daine’s surprisingly irreverent response is clear: “2024 jumped me!” they laugh. “That was crazy… but it’s made me feel more whimsical and positive, because I don’t have that much to lose. Now I do, because through that detachment, I’ve become way more attached to life now. I’m really happy.”

Their long‑awaited debut album’s not out until November, and yet there’s already chatter about the Filipino‑Australian musician’s sonic pivot. They made forward‑facing trap‑pop for years, and have banked huge collaborations with Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes and EDM artist Ninajirachi. Now, ‘In Endless Awe And Agony’ positions Daine as Australia’s next proper breakout star, thanks to its captivating fusion of stripped‑back emo confessionals and life‑affirming electro‑pop.

Success will taste especially sweet for the Melbournian, who claims they were “flopping” from their career beginnings six years ago until now. “I’ve been in the mud,” they declare. “I think people could smell that I wasn’t fully actualised yet. Now, people who have never thrown me a bone in my entire career are in my DMs being like, ‘Great job’. I’m like… ‘What changed?’”

When NME first profiled Dain e in 2021, they straddled the hardcore and hyperpop worlds in a way many musicians didn’t. Their fantastical, futuristic artistic direction separated them from a pack of budding popstars. With collaborations with Oli Sykes, mentoring from Charli XCX and a major label contract, everything seemed to be on the up. Yet Daine remembers this time as a period of creative indecision. “It was really difficult,” they reveal, “and I was being pulled in different directions, looking at what was happening around me and being like, ‘What do I do?’”

After a series of singles, EPs and mixtapes, Daine disclosed in 2024 that they had been dropped by their label. Left “thousands of dollars in debt”, their grandmother passed away, and their longest relationship ended in the same year. They tried suicide and were briefly hospitalised afterward. Reflecting on those events, Daine’s tone remains unconventional: “2024 jumped me!” they remark. “That was insane… but it’s made me feel more light‑hearted and optimistic, because I have less to lose. Now on the flip side, I have more things to lose, so I’m more attached to life itself.”

Vulnerability as a Weapon in Modern Pop

What does it mean to be “vulnerable”? Recent waves of criticism labeling independent releases as “indie sludge” or “trash pop” have normalized the practice of spilling raw emotion into song. By singing openly about heartache, self‑destruction and anxiety, contemporary pop icons such as Charli XCX and Slayyyter push the boundaries of emotional transparency, setting a new benchmark for authenticity in an era dominated by devoted fanbases eager for drama.

What does it mean to be “vulnerable”? The recent backlash against “indie sleaze” and “trash pop” labels has turned personal confession into a market trend among emerging stars. Industry observers argue that exposing fragile feelings is no longer taboo—it’s a strategic advantage. Daine’s candid reflections interrogate whether true connectivity relies on polished performance or unguarded truth.

In interviews, Daine describes the album itself as a cathartic act. “To yearn, to suffer, be a freak, lose your mind and do it publicly… what a thrill,” they say with genuine enthusiasm. The lyrical themes range from existential dread (“Silly Little Animal / Go!”) to defiant acceptance of imperfection, positioning Daine as a champion of unvarnished storytelling in mainstream pop.

By stripping away vocal processing and Auto‑Tune, Daine signals a broader shift toward “more human” production values—a cultural bet that listeners crave rawness over studio‑perfect gloss. As they explain: “I wanted to be more grounded and colorful. The sound got stripped of distortions, there’s no artificial layer. I’ve peeled back these performative veneers. Now I’m just human, which is weird.”

Australia Claims Its Electro‑Pop Hub

‘In Endless Awe And Agony’ spotlights Daine’s role in elevating Melbourne as a legitimate center for experimental pop. Working alongside Melbournes prodigies Darcy Baylis, Lucianblomkamp and Simon Lam (Kllo, Armlock), they fused influences spanning biblical lyricism, lo‑fi indie melodies à la Alex G, and vintage synths reminiscent of MGMT’s golden era. “The album feels historically accurate because the producers lived through those formative years,” Daine affirms. “What once seemed like a distant past is now my present.”

In conversations with peers about migration, Daine challenges the conventional notion that Australian artists must flee to larger markets. “Me and Nina often debate where we belong,” they note. “Everyone asks when we’ll move to the States. But we’re comfortable here. Success doesn’t require exile.”

Reflections on Creative Turmoil Turned Masterpiece

Daine’s path included setbacks that now define the brand’s appeal. After losing support from a major label, enduring family loss, and a near‑suicide episode, the artist chose a radical approach: surrender control entirely. “Since being softened by life’s rough edges, giving up control has been empowering,” they admit. “Letting go allowed the record to emerge organically; curated ambition couldn’t replicate the authenticity found in spontaneity.”

Today, Daine expresses gratitude for the volatility that birthed their career, describing the situation as “Christmas for everybody”—the culmination of hardship that ultimately yielded something exceptional.

For fans seeking a sound that marries raw vulnerability with infectious energy, ‘In Endless Awe And Agony’ offers a blueprint for modern emotionally honest pop. Whether streaming on Spotify or Apple Music, listeners are invited to join the deep dive on NME’s audio guide.

Daine’s debut album ‘In Endless Awe and Agony’ comes out November 6 via Pack. Records.

Listen to Daine’s exclusive playlist to accompany The Cover below on Spotify or on Apple Music here.

Words: Alex Rigotti
Photography: Dean Podmore
Styling: Cecile Hyunh
Styling Assistance: Maggie Luu
Hair: Xeneb Allen using Kevin Murphy
Makeup: Sarah Fritz
Label: Pack. Records