Julia Michaels has officially unveiled “Second Self,” her first-ever independent EP – and it’s a powerful statement of artistic freedom. Released via her own newly launched label, GFY Records, Second Self marks Michaels’ bold step away from the major-label system (after departing Republic Records in 2024) and into full autonomy. The Grammy-nominated songwriter, famous for penning hits for the likes of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, is now unapologetically doing things her way – and it shows. This six-song collection is being hailed as her most personal and sharpest work to date, capturing an artist embracing her second act with confidence.
The EP’s tracks showcase the many sides of Julia Michaels. The setlist includes “Heaven II,” “Scissors,” “Try Your Luck,” “F.O.O.L.,” “GFY,” and “Time.” From the anthemic opener “Heaven II” (a sequel to her 2018 song “Heaven,” now reimagined as a celebratory love song) to the sassy kiss-off “Scissors” (a country-pop breakup bop featuring friend and frequent collaborator Maren Morris), each song doubles down on Michaels’ gift for honest storytelling and witty, heart-on-sleeve lyrics. “Try Your Luck” stands out as a cheeky, flirty highlight – its music video finds Julia hilariously auditioning potential boyfriends in a chaotic dating game scenario, complete with red-flag dodgeball and outrageous talents on display. Meanwhile, deeper cuts like “F.O.O.L.” and the vulnerable closer “Time” dive into heartbreak and self-reflection, balanced by Michaels’ trademark humor (she even sneaks in a tongue-in-cheek line like “benefit of the doubt, shmenefit of the shmout” on the fiery track “GFY”). It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, but the ride is unmistakably all hers.
Michaels has been candid about how much this release means to her. “It’s my first song that I’m releasing as an independent artist. It’s taken so much to get to this point,” she shared on Instagram when talking about writing “Heaven II,” thanking everyone who stuck by her and believed in her through the journey. That sense of liberation powers the whole EP. Second Self feels like Julia Michaels coming into her own – fierce, flirty, cathartic, and entirely on her terms. She even introduced this new era on national TV, teaming up with Maren Morris for a high-energy performance of “Scissors” on The Tonight Show to celebrate the EP’s release. For a songwriter who’s spent years behind the scenes crafting hits for others, Second Self is Julia’s chance to step into the spotlight and define herself. The result is a refreshing burst of pop autonomy – a declaration of independence set to catchy melodies and unfiltered lyrics, proving that Michaels’ voice as an artist is just as compelling as her hitmaking pen.
