With her latest EP ‘According to Plan’, Dutch indie-Americana artist PIEN delivers a debut collection that feels intimate, quietly courageous, and completely unafraid to show the messiness of growth. Across its five tracks, PIEN threads together folk-leaning melodies, sparkling production, and plainspoken honesty to form a body of work that resonates with both melancholy and warmth.
Already carving out a space with earlier singles ‘Not Yet’ and ‘I Know’, PIEN shows a remarkable ability to write songs that feel both specific and universal. ‘I Know’ in particular stands out for melodic pull and the emotional tug beneath it. Wrapped in shimmering guitar tones and unhurried drums, PIEN sings of trusting herself amid uncertainty, her voice soft but unshakably steady. It’s the kind of track that finds its way into your late-night playlists and your early-morning contemplations alike.
There’s a lightness to her sound, but don’t mistake that for lack of depth. On the EP’s title-track and the poignant closer ‘Heet Laatste Hoofdstuk’, PIEN explores the quiet upheaval of shifting dreams; when what you thought would happen doesn’t, and you’re left to choose whether to mourn it or make something new out of the pieces. Her storytelling is grounded, her delivery clear-eyed and tender.
Working closely with producer Hattie Murdoch, the arrangements are subtle yet rich. Whether through layered harmonies or a simple acoustic riff, ‘According to Plan’ draws you in by resisting the urge to overstate. It’s a collection honours the space between expectation and acceptance.
For fans of Maggie Rogers, early Kacey Musgraves, or anyone who has found solace in the quieter corners of indie-folk, PIEN offers a voice that feels both familiar and refreshing. There’s a grace in how she writes about letting go.
‘According to Plan’ is a beautiful reminder that the most compelling music doesn’t always scream for attention. Sometimes, it just invites you to sit down, listen closely, and feel a little less alone.