Teona Zak Is About to Make You Feel Alive

If you’ve ever fallen in love under a twilight sky, swayed to a melody that felt like it was written just for you, or longed to bottle up the feeling of being truly seen—then Teona Zak’s new single might just be your next obsession.

The LA-based singer-songwriter is set to release her spellbinding new track, “Alive,” on September 9, and it’s the kind of love song that doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings—it tunes them. Known for her soul-drenched vocals and poetic storytelling, Teona invites us into a love story that feels lifted straight from a dream, grounded by emotion and bursting with truth.

“Alive” is the kind of song that doesn’t scream for attention—it blooms. The arrangement is intimate but rich, emotional but never heavy-handed. It’s a track that feels like watching someone fall in love and realize they deserve it, all in real time. According to Teona, it’s about a romance that makes you feel safe in your skin while setting your soul on fire. And honestly? That’s the kind of story we could all use right now.

The release marks the second chapter in what’s already shaping up to be a stunning year for Teona. Her June single, “Golden Days,” dropped just in time for summer and was everything we didn’t know we needed. Imagine: hazy sunsets, impromptu beach drives, laughter echoing in parking lots—and a song that captures all of it. “Golden Days” plays like a memory you never want to lose, with its nostalgic glow and a chorus made for rolling down windows.

It’s no surprise, really. Teona’s been writing and performing since she was barely tall enough to reach a mic stand. Raised on the East Coast, she started performing at 8 and wrote her first original, “Monster,” at just 14. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2023, she’s sung the national anthem at Boston Bruins games and lit up stages from The Mint to Andy’s WeHo. Now firmly planted in Los Angeles, she’s becoming one of the city’s most magnetic live performers—so much so that she’s celebrating the release of “Alive” with a live show at Black Rabbit Rose on September 11.

If “Golden Days” was the summer you never wanted to end, then “Alive” is the storybook romance that makes you believe in beginnings again. And together, they’re just a taste of what’s to come on Teona’s highly anticipated upcoming EP, To Be Loved, arriving this fall.

Mark your calendars, queue up your playlists, and maybe have a few tissues on hand—because Teona Zak isn’t just giving us music. She’s giving us moments we didn’t know we needed.

“Alive” drops September 9 on all major streaming platforms. Catch her live September 12 at Black Rabbit Rose.

What are the themes explored in your upcoming single “Alive,” and how do they contrast with your previous release, “Golden Days”?

Golden Days is a nostalgic summer anthem that captures the wild, late-night drives, tangled sheets, an unforgettable summer romance that felt too good to fade, and that bittersweet awareness that these moments won’t last forever. It embraces the wild, golden, and untouchable spirit of summer and living like the world won’t change, even when you know it will. Alive on the other hand is a completely different chapter. Where Golden Days is about holding onto something temporary, Alive tells the story of a love that feels timeless. This song tells a story of love that feels like a fairytale you didn’t think was still within reach. It captures the essence of a love that envelops you in safety, sees you deeply, and awakens every sense to life’s quiet, breathtaking moments that make you feel Alive. “Alive” is a reminder that fairytales aren’t just stories - they can be lived. Golden Days is about remembering the magic of the past, Alive is about discovering the kind of love that makes the present feel eternal.

Where and when can fans see you perform “Alive” live for the first time?

I’m so excited to share that fans can hear Alive live for the very first time on September 11th at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. It’s going to be a special night with an intimate space where everyone can really feel the song’s story and energy. I can’t wait to perform it and see the audience connect with the love and emotion behind the song in real time. 

How has your musical journey—from writing “Monster” at 14 to performing national anthems—shaped your sound today?

I wrote my first original song, Monster at 14, it was about my father leaving. It remains to be one of my most vulnerable songs I’ve ever written. It was through that pain, that I discovered my strength and my voice. Creating it showed me that when words fail, music can speak, because any other way to express myself felt impossible. It became a way to dive into raw honesty and unapologetically express my emotions. Through monster I found my passion to write because I saw the beauty of vulnerability through my lyrics. From there, performing live at venues and even doing the national anthem only helped me grow my confidence and fully own my art. Over time, I realized that my voice and music don’t just demand an audience to listen, but to feel. Every song I write and perform now carries that same intention … to connect, to move, and to make people feel through my music. 

What elements make your music stand out in the contemporary pop landscape?

My music stands out because it blends raw vulnerability with a wild elegance. I write from a deeply honest place, exploring my journey through love, loss, and personal growth, while pairing it with melodies that stick in your heart and mind long after the song ends. In today’s pop world full of catchy hooks, I aim to create moments that resonate on a deeper level, inviting listeners to step into my world and feel every note, every emotion, and every heartbeat. It’s pop with feeling and storytelling that leaves you in awe. My music is meant to be lived, not just played.