American Idol's Amanda Barise emerges fearless on her EP, “Cute and Deadly" - Interview
Coming hot off the momentum of her breakout run on American Idol Season 23 — where none other than Carrie Underwood declared her “perfection” — Amanda Barise wastes no time carving out her own lane with “Cute and Deadly,” a stunning, self-assured EP that cements the New Jersey native as one of 2025’s most compelling new voices. Dropped on June 25th, just weeks after her Idol journey, this collection of tracks marks a powerful creative rebirth, one that embraces vulnerability, confidence, and a genre-bending spirit that feels undeniably fresh.
From the very first track, it’s obvious Barise has no intention of playing it safe. Co-produced alongside Grammy-winning engineer Max Faigen, the EP melds sleek alternative R&B grooves with shades of neo-soul, pop, and alt-pop grit. It’s a heady mix — one that spotlights her powerhouse vocals while offering the kind of daring, modern production choices that recall the boundary-pushing work of artists like H.E.R., Jorja Smith, and Fousheé. Yet for all its stylistic touchpoints, Cute and Deadly is unmistakably Amanda’s own.
What makes this project shine is how deeply personal and autobiographical it feels. In our recent interview, Barise spoke candidly about channeling both the highs and heartbreaks of the last year into these songs — from the disorienting whirlwind of American Idol to the challenges of navigating the industry’s expectations. The EP’s title itself is a cheeky reclamation of how insiders often labeled her, and it serves as both a warning and an invitation: beneath the charm and charisma lies an artist with claws, heart, and a voice that could level a stadium.
Vocally, Barise is a revelation. The EP gives her room to flex every facet of her range — from smoky lower tones to glass-shattering belts — and she fills every moment with palpable emotion. Whether she’s cooing over a minimalist R&B beat or unleashing a full-throttle chorus over snarling guitars, her delivery is always intentional, always magnetic. There’s a rare, almost theatrical precision to her phrasing that elevates each track into something cinematic.
Perhaps the EP’s greatest accomplishment, though, is how effortlessly it translates Barise’s live-wire energy into the studio. Fans who watched her bring the house down on Idol will recognize the same fire here, but with the added bonus of hearing an artist fully in control of her own narrative, sound, and direction.
As Amanda revealed in our conversation, Cute and Deadly is just the beginning. With more music, visuals, and live shows on the horizon, she’s poised to make an even bigger mark in the months ahead. If this EP is any indication, we’re witnessing the birth of a major new force in alternative R&B and pop — one that knows exactly when to be cute, exactly when to be deadly, and how to do both at once.
Not only should you enjoy the record, but our conversation really opened up the door into what an impeccable artist Amanda is. Her vision came true and the record speaks volumes! Click those links below to listen in and follow along for more on the way.
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
