Lauren Presley Trades Darkness for Light on New Anthem "Trade Secrets"

Credit Sean McGee

Lauren Presley has never been afraid to bleed on the mic. From the viral heartbreak of People Leave to the gritty edge of her debut EP, Hanging In The Balance, the Texas-born, Nashville-based pop-alt star has built her name on raw honesty and powerhouse vocals. But with her brand-new single Trade Secrets she’s finally letting us in on a different side of herself, the unapologetic lover.

“I’ve always been scared to write a love song,” Lauren admits. “But this is the happiest song I’ve ever written.” And it shows. Packed with early 2000s nostalgia, driving guitars, anthemic drums, and vocals that soar sky-high, Trade Secrets feels like the perfect balance of pop-rock shimmer and alt-pop edge. Think Fletcher’s lyrical intimacy fused with Benson Boone’s anthemic punch, all run through Lauren’s signature unfiltered lens.

It’s also the boldest shift in her catalog so far. Known for darker, rock-leaning energy, Presley leans into something brighter here without losing her authenticity. The result? A summer anthem built for sunlit drives, late-night playlists, and anyone who remembers falling in love for the first time.

And if you’ve been watching, you know Lauren’s rise isn’t slowing down. With over 50 million views, 10 million streams, and love from outlets like Wonderland, Notion, SPIN, CLASH, Earmilk, tmrw, and more, not to mention playlist covers on both Spotify and SoundCloud, she’s proving that staying true to your heart pays off.

“Trade Secrets is me showing the lighter, more romantic side of myself,” she says. “At the end of the day, you just have to make what you love and not overthink it. The right people will find it.”

Trade Secrets is your first real "love song," and you've said it's the happiest thing you've ever written. What finally pushed you to embrace that vulnerability in such a different way?

I had written and talked about a lot of tough and heavy things during my EP, which I'm glad I did because it was so healing, but I just needed a lighter song, like a 'breather'. I'm also married to someone I'm very in love with, so it might be a good time to write about that!

Sonically, the track could sit on a 2000s coming-of-age movie soundtrack. Who or what inspired you to tap into that nostalgic pop-rock energy?

I think it kinda just happened, honestly! My only reference was Fletcher, and that was pop-rock, but the 2000s nostalgia just came out, which fit the song perfectly because lyrically, we were going for a carefree, young love kind of vibe!

You're known for darker, rock-leaning sounds on Hanging In The Balance. Were you worried fans might not vibe with a brighter, more pop-driven track?

100% yes, I was worried people who loved the EP wouldn't vibe with this song. But I think as an artist, when you feel strongly about a song, you need to put it out, regardless of whether it's a little different from your previous work. Artists are constantly evolving and going through different phases of life just like everyone else. Most importantly, if the artist loves it, most people will love it too! And even though it's definitely lighter, it still has a little rock influence.

Lyrically, you always wear your heart on your sleeve. What was the hardest line to write in Trade Secrets, the one that felt like, "Okay, now I'm really exposed"?

What a great question! I think 'Like just another time bomb, that'll run away if I show you too much, every ugly part of me' is the one. It just shows everyone that behind the curtains, I have insecurities too, like everyone else, and haven't always felt wanted. So that's kinda a tough thing to just put out in the world for everyone to hear!

With over 50M views and 10M streams already under your belt, you're building serious momentum. What's the next chapter for you after Trade Secrets, more light, more darkness, or something in between?

I'm a big fan of Halloween, so I do have a darker song coming out around that time! I'm currently working on some more rock-heavy songs, and I also have another pop-rock sad song that I really love and want to put out. So a little bit of both, but I'd say all of them are darker than 'Trade Secrets' for sure! But I'm SO excited for people to hear all of them.