Carol Ades Turns Self-Doubt Into Indie Pop Gold on New EP ‘Worst Person In The World’

Across the EP, Ades navigates the push-and-pull between perfectionism and personal freedom.

Carol Ades has built a reputation as a songwriter who understands emotional contradiction better than most. On her latest EP, Worst Person In The World, the Los Angeles-based alt-leaning artist turns that awareness to a new level. In the six-track project, Ades examines the messy space between insecurity and self-belief to craft a record that feels raw, observant, and quietly empowering.

Across the EP, Ades navigates the push and pull between perfectionism and personal freedom; the desire to be the “good girl” everyone expects and the equally strong urge to simply exist without constant self-judgement. The opening title track, “Worst Person In The World,” sets the tone by building on a confessional, reflective lyricism, capturing the kind of inner dialogue many listeners will empathize with.

Her delivery, however, is what sets her apart, presenting those thoughts of self-criticism as passing observations rather than absolute truths, creating a track that feels honest without becoming overly heavy. That sense of emotional observation continues on “Familiar Hell,” where Ades explores the strange comfort of patterns people know aren’t good for them. The song’s title itself hints at the paradox at the center of the track: the idea that sometimes discomfort feels easier than change simply because it’s familiar. With understated production and a conversational vocal style, the song places the focus firmly on her ingenious storytelling.

In “Merry Go Round,” she pushes the theme of emotional cycles even further, reflecting on the exhausting loop of overthinking in which the same questions and doubts repeat endlessly. It’s a standout track that showcases Ades’s ability to step back from the chaos and analyze it. “That’s My Girl” is a slightly different energy with a sense of irony in the way the song approaches confidence and, in a way, poking fun at the expectations placed on women to always appear self-assured and put together. The result is playful without losing the project's introspective tone.

Second to last is “Normal Feelings,” which grounds the entire record by framing its theme of emotional ups and downs as something entirely ordinary, creating a listening experience that feels more realistic than many polished pop projects. In a culture that often treats vulnerability as something to fix or hide, Ades acknowledges it as part of everyday life. The EP closes with “Turns Out I’m Amazing,” whose accompanying visuals featuring her grandmother were released the same day.

The single subtly reframes and sums up the project’s emotional journey. After exploring insecurity and self-doubt, the song introduces a moment of quiet self-recognition. Instead of presenting confidence as a dramatic transformation, Ades portrays it as something that arrives unexpectedly, like realizing you may have been underestimating yourself all along.

Part of what makes the EP compelling is Ades’ background as a songwriter for major pop acts, namely Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, KATSEYE, and more, which makes her own music even more intimate. With less focus on radio-ready perfection and more emotional truth, on Worst Person In The World she steps fully into that personal voice. 

Ultimately, the EP feels like a thoughtful snapshot of an artist learning to coexist with her own contradictions. Ades doesn’t attempt to resolve every doubt or insecurity she explores; rather, she acknowledges, examines, and laughs at them. Hence, the project becomes more than just an indie-pop release. It’s a reminder that self-awareness doesn’t always lead to easy answers, but that noticing the pattern is often enough. 

Listen to Worst Person In The World out now on all streaming platforms.