In the studio where she recorded her debut record, mxmtoon (aka Maia) plays songs from both her upcoming album rising and 2019’s The Masquerade. The indie pop superstar breaks down her pop songs to just her vocals and ukulele, displaying the true intimacy of her songwriting. The episode also features Maia grabbing lunch from Xi’an Famous Foods, a nostalgic spot for her family in New York. She talks to Variety about moving to New York and its influence on her writing process, how rising distinguishes itself from her debut, and coping with imposter syndrome in the music industry.