Zëta Ræ, the Nashville-based project of Hannah Schmeling, has always thrived in the space where nostalgia and futurism collide. With her latest single “Obvious,” Schmeling crystallises her alt-pop sensibilities into something strikingly exuberant. The track is a shimmering, high-energy dance-pop cut, grounded in playful confidence yet elevated by the finesse of its production. Originally conceived in the hallowed halls of Berklee College of Music, “Obvious” is Schmeling’s first foray into a professional studio setting — a context that has clearly shaped its slick, radio-ready polish without diminishing the idiosyncratic charm Zëta Ræ has cultivated across her earlier work. The interplay of Adams’ guitar work and Troppe’s basslines creates a textural depth that supports Schmeling’s bold vocal performance, whose self-assured flirtation runs through the track like a golden thread. What distinguishes “Obvious” is its ability to straddle multiple registers at once: it is at once tongue-in-cheek and genuinely euphoric, a modern pop statement that nods to the likes of Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter while remaining unmistakably Zëta’s own. Here, Schmeling stakes a claim as an alt-pop visionary unafraid to lean into pure, unapologetic fun.
Describe “Obvious” in three words.
Energetic, Confident, Fun
What’s your go-to dance move when this song comes on?
Some version of jumping up and down with my arms up.
If “Obvious” were a color, what would it be — and why?
Magenta – thematically it’s a mix of fire and sass (red) with a touch of hurt and sadness (blue).
What’s one lyric from the song that hits differently every time you sing it?
The chorus! The lyrics are very self-assured and confident. Even though it’s a song about relationships, I sing from whatever I’m going through at the time, and the meaning behind the lyrics often changes for me. It always feels good to step into the empowered version of myself and take that energy with me throughout my life.
You’ve said you wrote the song in about an hour — what’s your creative setup like when inspiration strikes?
When inspiration strikes, it’s usually inconvenient or at a weird time, so I try to keep things as mobile as possible. The setup for this song was in my bedroom, freshly showered, and in my pj’s. I got the beat from Ryan and instantly got inspired, so I pulled all of my equipment onto my bed and recorded it there. I find I get into a flow state when I’m comfortable and not worrying about anything. The cables were all tangled, I don’t care. Writing is not typically an aesthetically pleasing or glamorous process for me.
Who’s on your dream remix lineup for “Obvious”?
This question is fun. If I were to do a remix, I’d definitely want to do it Charli XCX style and totally switch it up and make a different song entirely. I don’t know how possible it is in this moment, but my dream remix lineup would be with Frost Children or Adéla.
What’s the most obvious thing about you that people always get right?
Probably that I’m an artist!
If you could perform this track anywhere in the world, where would it be?
France? I don’t know why, but this song makes me want to dance in a Paris club or something.
What pop artist would you love to trade places with for a day?
Dua Lipa, I feel like she’s always on vacation or on tour, and it seems like she’s living the dream.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to fans navigating their own “situationships”?
Check in with yourself routinely, and be ready to let go when you know it’s time.
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