What happens when love turns into a performance you never agreed to audition for? We’ve all done it — built someone up in our heads, made them the hero, the muse, the center of the story. But what about when you’re the one being written, and you don’t recognize the character they’ve turned you into? That’s the ache at the heart of Alyssa Mongiovi’s latest single, “Poet.” It’s not a breakup song. It’s a reclaim-your-damn-life song.
The Colorado Springs singer-songwriter has this bluesy energy that feels equal parts late-night confession and open-road catharsis. “Poet” kicks off with this smoky groove — it’s got that alt-rock soul you can feel in your chest — and then Alyssa’s voice comes in, strong but still tender around the edges. There’s pain in it, sure, but also a lot of power. She doesn’t beg to be heard; she claims the space.
When she sings, “You call yourself a poet / You didn’t get what you didn’t go for,” it hits like someone finally saying what they’ve been holding back for way too long. The lyrics cut without being cruel. It’s more about freedom than anger — that moment when you stop twisting yourself into shapes to please someone else and just breathe.
A year ago, Alyssa was stuck in a job that looked impressive on paper but drained her dry. She’s talked about clocking in every day, feeling like her real life was somewhere else. Then she started gigging again — playing cover songs in tiny bars — and something cracked open. “Poet” came out of that awakening, the moment she remembered who she really was. You can hear that in the song — that mix of exhaustion and adrenaline, like someone running full speed out of the dark.
Production-wise, the track feels alive. There’s a pulse that drives it forward, like the rhythm section is daring her to say what she really means. Producer Alex Houton (AHM Media) gives it just enough polish to shine. It’s got this beautiful tension between classic and modern — a little Dolly grit, a little Led Zeppelin fire, a little indie-rock cool.
If you’re into artists who wear their truth on their sleeve — think Alanis Morissette, Brandi Carlile, or Maggie Rogers — you’re probably going to feel right at home here. Her sense of storytelling is commendable. She doesn’t just write songs – she writes little moments that stick to your ribs.
And if you catch her live, you’ll really believe her. Alyssa’s got a string of Colorado shows this fall — November 12 at Misfits Sports Bar in Lakewood, November 17 at Sunshine Studios Live in Colorado Springs (where she’ll share the night with TRAPT for a full-band acoustic set), and November 28 at The Black Rose Acoustic Society in the Black Forest Community Center. Her sets have this homespun magic to them — You never feel like she’s performing at you. She’s sharing with you.
The best part about “Poet” is it’s honest. It’s for someone finding her footing again after years of walking the wrong path. You can dance to it, sure — and you probably will — but underneath that, it’s a song about letting go of the version of yourself that someone else wrote. It’s the song you scream-sing on a solo drive down I-25 with the windows cracked, the kind that makes you feel a little more alive by the time it’s over.
Alyssa Mongiovi sounds like someone chasing truth. And if this is where her story’s really beginning, “Poet” is one hell of a first chapter.
For ticket shows, head on to: https://alyssamongiovi.com
Follow her on social media for real-time updates: https://www.instagram.com/alyssa.mongiovi
