Our City Tonight sat down with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alya to talk about her deeply personal new single, “Believer,” her musical journey, the influence of her Eastern European roots, giving back, and her upcoming album, “In the Moment.”

OCT: You have a global following, with more than 50 million views, and you’ve worked with artists such as Eric Clapton. You’ve just released a new single, “Believer,” which is deeply personal. Can you tell us how the song came about?
ALYA: I think it’s a very interesting song because it was actually sitting on the shelf for almost six years. I finally felt that now is the right time to put it out into the world. It’s a personal song, and I think it’s a beautiful one. It doesn’t really fit into an album very well, which is probably one of the reasons it stayed on the shelf for so long. But ultimately, it’s a song about finding yourself in the eyes of someone who loves you deeply and genuinely. I think it’s very rare to meet someone who truly lifts you up and sees the best in you. That’s what the song is about. It’s about finding that kind of love, but also finding a stronger version of yourself through another person’s belief in you.

OCT: It’s a wonderful song. There’s a real sense of hope, kindness and healing, but there’s also a very uplifting quality to it. One of the most interesting elements is the use of the accordion, an instrument you’ve been playing for a very long time. How did you integrate an accordion into a pop song so naturally?
ALYA: It’s actually very funny because, as you get older, you tend to come back to the things you didn’t like when you were younger. The accordion is one of those things. It was my first instrument when I entered music school as a child, and I hated it! Now I understand that it’s something that distinguishes me from other people, and I’ve actually grown to love it. There’s no other instrument out there that breathes the way we breathe. It’s a very unusual instrument, because of the way it’s constructed and played. I think it brings a really interesting character to the song. It also brings an Eastern European flavour, which connects directly to my roots. At the same time, it adds something very personal, maybe a little frivolous, a little ironic and definitely European. Somehow, it just flows with the song really well.

OCT: You’ve experienced many cultures and travelled to many countries through your music. How have those experiences influenced the storytelling aspect of your songwriting?
ALYA: I think it gives me a deeper perspective because I can compare different cultures and experiences and bring them together. Travelling and experiencing different people and places has allowed me to see things from different angles. I think it gives me the ability to tell simple stories in a richer language. Sometimes the most powerful stories are actually very simple, but your experiences can give those stories more depth and meaning. That’s what I try to bring into my music.

OCT: You’ve been through heartbreak and come through the other side, and today you have a wonderful partner. When you look at your entire catalogue of music, what would you hope people take away from listening to your songs?
ALYA: Inspiration. I think that would be the biggest gift for me. If my music can inspire someone to be better, to do something they’ve been afraid to do, or simply to feel uplifted, that means a lot to me.
You listen to a song for three or four minutes, and then you go out into the world feeling just a little bit better. If I can give someone that feeling, that’s a great gift to me. That would make me very happy.

OCT: What do you find is the biggest challenge for you as an artist when it comes to evolving and continuing to remain relevant?
ALYA: The music industry is a very difficult business. It’s not so much about change for me; it’s about striving to stay true to myself. I don’t think that’s only a challenge for me. It’s something every musical artist has to deal with. It’s very difficult to stay true to yourself and continue doing the things that genuinely bring you joy. The music industry pushes you to be seen all the time. It wants you to play by the rules of the business. I guess my challenge is to play by my own rules—to strive to bring joy, to continue blossoming as an artist, and not simply create because someone else expects me to.
For me, it’s about fulfilling the mission I believe that I came to this earth to accomplish. That is probably my biggest challenge, but also my greatest motivation.

OCT: You’ve also been doing a lot of giving back, and we understand you have a project focused on hope. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
ALYA: Giving back is very important to me. The artistry itself is a form of giving back. It’s very personal to go and stand in front of strangers and share your emotions and your stories through music. But beyond that, I believe strongly in giving back to the community and volunteering. I have a project that I hope will uplift immigrant women and help them find their own strength and confidence.
Through my own personal story, I always hope to uplift people and tell them that, even through difficult challenges, it is possible to overcome them. You have to believe in yourself and stay true to your mission. I truly believe that when you give back and give your energy to other people, you open more doors for yourself. So it’s a very important aspect of who I am, both as an artist and as an American.

OCT: Finally, you have a new album coming out called ”In the Moment,” which is due in March 2027. What can listeners look forward to?
ALYA: I think the album is a reflection of where I am right now—being present, embracing life and allowing myself to evolve. I’m very excited to share it with people. Every album is a new chapter, and this one feels particularly personal to me. I hope listeners will connect with it and find something of themselves in the music.

OCT: We’re certainly looking forward to hearing it. In the meantime, “Believer” is out now and is a beautiful reminder that sometimes having someone believe in you can help you believe in yourself. You can find out more about Alya and her music at AlyaOfficial.com