[NEW MUSiC] Skylar Grey Released New Single “Motivation”

Skylar Grey continues building momentum for her upcoming album with a fresh single, “Motivation”. Released unexpectedly ahead of schedule, the track landed nearly two weeks before its planned January 30 drop date, surprising even the artist herself.

Whoopsie daisy lol

STREAM/BUY "Motivation": https://t.co/c4GzGxmJlp#motivation #newmusic #whoopsiedaisy pic.twitter.com/Cxv3TrDtEA

— Skylar Grey (@SkylarGrey) January 16, 2026

Sonically, “Motivation” veers into guitar-driven pop territory, with bouncy, rhythmic riffs that energise the track while still letting Skylar’s ethereal vocals take centre stage. While some fans hear echoes of early-2000s pop-rock, the single resists clear genre classification and instead offers a confident blend of her influences.

It’s the perfect sound for an album that tells her coming-of-age story. Skylar looks back on the music she grew up with, using those sounds to show how she’s grown and who she is today.

An honest message

In an Instagram post introducing the song, Skylar offered a glimpse into its emotional core:

“I wrote this song because while it’s easier to blame everyone else (labels, managers, etc) for your failures as an artist, I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s all been my fault”.

I wrote this song because while it’s easier to blame everyone else (labels, managers, etc) for your failures as an artist, I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s all been my fault.

STREAM/BUY "Motivation": https://t.co/c4GzGxmJlp#motivation #newmusic #NewMusicFriday pic.twitter.com/0s8hRDH7FH

— Skylar Grey (@SkylarGrey) January 17, 2026

The track balances vulnerability with an uplifting, forward-looking sound. Though the official music video hasn’t dropped yet, Skylar began teasing visuals on January 3 with snippets from the visuals.

A new chapter, shaped by the past

This single marks another step in Skylar’s ongoing evolution. After writing songs and hooks for other artists, including Eminem, and navigating a music industry that often sidelined her, she’s now focused on finding her own voice as an independent artist. “Motivation” reflects a return to the sounds she loved growing up and a desire to push forward with purpose.

Importantly, the new track has been received warmly by fans, with many praising its sonic shift and introspective lyrics. In fact, Skylar has declared releasing a full album this year one of her top resolutions. And based on the reaction to “Motivation” and her previous single “Nirvana”, listeners are more than ready.