Mila Smith Releases Debut Album “Not My Circus”
South African pop-punk and indie-alternative artist Mila Smith has today released her highly anticipated debut album, Not My Circus. The nine-track project cements Smith’s place as one of the country’s most exciting emerging voices in alternative music, fusing distortion-heavy pop-punk energy with candid, diary-style songwriting.
Not My Circus brings together previously released fan favourites — including “Cake,” which was featured simultaneously in two of South Africa’s largest print publications, Huisgenoot and YOU Magazine — alongside “Wishing On A Daydream,” “The Adults Are Talking,” “Why Does This Always Happen To Me?”, and “Stranger.” These tracks sit alongside a collection of brand-new songs, rounding out a body of work that is equal parts hater anthem, heartfelt confession, and cultural commentary.
Mila Smith | SUPPLIED
TRACK LISTING
- Cake
- Wishing On A Daydream
- The Adults Are Talking
- Work Like That
- Why Does This Always Happen To Me?
- Shot Me Down
- Waiting On You
- Pollyanna
- Stranger
The album boasts an impressive list of co-writers/producers that helped bring the project to life. Jono Greyling, Theo Mulder and Ben Reid – all South African born musicians on production with Mike Zietsman (PHFAT) as the mix and mastering engineer.
Stream Not My Circus : milasmith.lnk.to/notmycircus
THE TRACKS UP CLOSE
Track 1 on the album is fan-favourite ‘Cake’ and described as a “punky get rich anthem”. Its title makes reference to the infamous Maria Antionette quote ‘Let Them Eat Cake’. In the song, Mila laments about the current cost of living crisis and as a result, her unabashed desire for wealth. The track, produced by Theo Mulder is satirical, camp-y and in Mila’s words: “will hopefully make a lot of money”
“Wishing On A Daydream” is a sapphic-yearning, pop-punk-fueled ode to a crush who might not even know you exist. Fun-loving yet true to Smith’s punk roots, the track captures the early, plotting stages of a crush over a catchy hook and a driving bassline. Best for fans of The Beaches, Chappell Roan, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Mila Smith | SUPPLIED
“The Adults Are Talking” is the ultimate hater anthem, calling out a “pick me, wannabe” and comparing them to an unruly child throwing a tantrum. Mila Smith embraces her hater persona fully — and unapologetically.
“Work Like That”, the album’s focus track, blends distortion-driven pop punk with vulnerable indie songwriting in a fierce critique of social media, viral fame, virtue signaling, and algorithm culture. Perfect for fans of Internet Girl and ThxSoMch.
“Why Does This Always Happen To Me?” Smith’s debut 2026 pop-punk single, is your Monday Morning anthem when you’re running on low sleep and not enough caffeine. Deeply autobiographical, the track captures the universal frustration of a day where everything goes wrong — from misplaced glasses to being boxed in by a bad parking job — turning the hook into a familiar cry against the universe’s conspiring forces.
‘Shot Me Down’ marks a turning point in the album. The A-side of the record presents a fiercely confident, self-assured version of Mila, while Shot Me Down turns that narrative on its head. This song is rife with vulnerability and insecurity as a result of not knowing where you stand with someone. The wish that you could be ‘Shot Down’ rather than navigate the grey area that comes with trying to turn a relationship with a friend into something more.
Not My Circus cover art | SUPPLIED
Track 7, ‘Waiting On You’ is a song about absence and the chasm it leaves behind. The song, produced by Ben Reid, serves as a song for anyone grieving a figure that never was.
‘Pollyanna’, while also being vulnerable, unlike waiting on you springs from a happier place.
Described as ‘Stranger’s’ more lo-fi cousin – ‘Pollyanna’ is a dreamy, atmospheric track about a ‘Pollyanna’ – aka) someone who has irrepressible optimism, sometimes to a fault. Mila’s soulful vocals have a chance to shine in this track and the song’s lyrics speaks to feelings of being completely captivated by someone. The longing is palpable from the second you hit ‘play’.
“Stranger” finds Smith at the airport, saying a gut-wrenching goodbye to a loved one: “Promise me I’ll see you later. Promise you won’t be a stranger.” With a soothing bassline, dreamy synths, and hypnotically rich vocals, “Stranger” is a poignant love letter to someone physically miles away but whose impact never fades — proof that love can conquer any obstacle, including distance. Produced by Jono Greyling and mixed and mastered by Mike Zietsman, the track marked Smith’s first release of 2025 and unknowingly became the final track of the album.