Paola la Uníca Finds Freedom in 'Summer of My Life'

Paola la Uníca is one of those rare artists who can turn raw emotions into something you can move to. Based in New Jersey, the queer singer-songwriter blends soul, alternative pop, Latin influences, and a touch of R&B into a sound that feels like late-night honesty paired with beats you can’t help but nod along to. With inspirations ranging from Frank Ocean to Amy Winehouse, The 1975 to Bad Bunny, Paola wears her heart on her sleeve while still making music that keeps the energy flowing.

Her latest single, “Summer of My Life,” is no exception. The track was born out of reflection—Paola sitting in a park, thinking back on past relationships, the girls who’ve come and gone, and the constant churn of people drifting in and out of her twenties. It’s a song that captures both the grief and the beauty of youth: the fleeting summers, the growing pains, and the reminder that even when it doesn’t feel like “the best years,” there’s still joy in being young, free, and alive.

“I hope people can feel less lonely listening to this song,” Paola shares. “Being young is great, but there’s some struggles that are not seen as serious. Your emotions are valid. Your memories are valid. And it’s a blessing to be young and figuring it out even when it doesn’t feel like it. This song helped me ground myself and I wish the same for anyone who hears it.”

The record itself is soft and airy, carried by Paola’s higher-pitched vocal delivery that brings a fresh kind of energy to today’s R&B and soul scene. It feels both tender and liberating, the kind of track you’d play on repeat while riding around with the windows down—reflecting, remembering, but also soaking in the moment. It’s as much about nostalgia as it is about grounding yourself in the present.

And Paola isn’t just making waves in the studio—she’s been everywhere this year. She’s already performed at four festivals this summer, including Pride in Union, NJ, and the brand new Loud Garden Festival in Jersey City. Coming up next? The Newark Arts Festival in October, plus more music on the way before the year closes out.

With Summer of My Life, Paola la Uníca reminds us that youth isn’t just about the highs—it’s about the in-betweens too, the quiet moments of grief and joy that shape us. It’s a song that says: yes, these are the summers of our lives, even when they don’t feel like it.