Earlier this year, NYC-based dream pop singer-songwriter Imogen Valentine released her sophomore EP titled Little Miss Optimist. The five track venture explores themes of love, hope, and seeing the brighter side of unpleasant situations. However, Imogen felt as though there were a few more stories to be shared that would pair perfectly with the project.
Therefore, Imogen went on to release a deluxe version of Little Miss Optimist, featuring two new songs titled “Athena” and “For The Girls.” Both songs embrace girlhood and womanhood on a deeper level, and by creating these two tracks, Imogen realized more than ever just how important it was to make sure her music felt like a safe space for women,
Stream Little Miss Optimist (Deluxe) here, and check out the music videos for “Athena” and newly released “For The Girls” below!
Dive deeper into the making of the deluxe edition of Little Miss Optimist with our Q&A!
Tell me more about the moment you decided to create a deluxe version of Little Miss Optimist
I was on a plane to LA this past March with a few sessions lined up to potentially start working on a new project. I was listening back to old voice memos, as I usually like to walk into sessions with a few ideas to flesh out, and stumbled across “Athena,” which I had started writing with Ruby Alexander back in November 2025. I had honestly kind of forgotten about it, but immediately knew I wanted to finish it. The song felt like it was in direct conversation with “Lady Karma” from the original EP, so releasing it as a standalone single or part of a new project didn’t feel quite right. More generally, everything pouring out of me creatively was still centered around womanhood, female divinity and fragility, and female friendship. I think I just wasn’t quite ready to move on to a new project with an entirely different thesis, so a deluxe version of Little Miss Optimist felt like the most natural way to keep exploring those themes and continue that story.
You’ve mentioned wanting your music to help create a safe space for women to be themselves. What are some messages you especially hope listeners take away as they enjoy the deluxe EP?
I’ve always been a very girly girl, and I love that about myself. I hope that women and girls who choose to express themselves that way feel like my music is a place to celebrate all things feminine and recognize that femininity is by no means a sign of weakness. But equally, whether you express yourself in a more masculine, androgynous, or entirely different way, I hope my art feels like a safe space where that is just as celebrated. Ultimately, I want women to feel free to show up as they are, without the constraints and societal expectations that are pushed onto us from the time we’re little girls. There’s so much beauty and strength in womanhood, and I hope my music encourages people to embrace that on their own terms.
What made you decide “Athena” and “For The Girls” in particular belonged on a deluxe edition of the EP, instead of saving them for a future project?
To me, “Athena” felt like it was in direct conversation with “Lady Karma,” continuing and expanding on that story, so it naturally felt like it belonged on the deluxe. When I wrote “For the Girls,” I had a bit of a lightbulb moment. It felt like the conclusion to the Little Miss Optimist era, almost answering some of the questions posed throughout the EP, particularly in “Golden Girl.” I think the song is really about realizing that the antidote to so many of life’s challenges can be as simple as surrounding yourself with good girlfriends.
You just released a music video for “Athena.” Tell me about what inspired the concept!
The concept was very much inspired by Greek mythology and the divine, but I wanted to explore what that might look like in a modern-day NYC setting. I’m also a huge fan of Sofia Coppola (who isn’t?) and have always been drawn to her dreamy, at times hyper-feminine visual world. I wanted to bring some of that same quality into the video, particularly through the color grading and overall aesthetic. Ultimately, I wanted to create a world that felt both ethereal and distinctly modern, balancing the softness and romance of those visuals with the strength and power associated with Athena.
Are there any artists or specific individuals in your life that provided inspiration for this EP?
Lana Del Rey and Rosalía are definitely two big influences. Lana has always been a sonic pillar for me, particularly Lust for Life and Honeymoon, which I wanted to draw from a little on the deluxe. Visually, I was also really inspired by Rosalía’s LUX, even though she explores a different realm of the divine on that album. On a more personal level, I’m constantly in awe of my girlfriends and feel incredibly grateful for them. My team is also made up almost entirely of women, from my manager and photographer to my band. They’re all very strong, talented women who inspire me every day.
Keep up with Imogen Valentine on Instagram and TikTok @imogenvalentinemusic