There’s a brave kind of vulnerability laced throughout Lauren Juzang’s latest EP, EITHER WAY ??!? – a seven-track journey through breakup aftermath, creative risk-taking, and emotional rebirth. Released June 13, the project is Juzang’s most self-produced to date, and one that captures both chaos and clarity with rare emotional honesty.

The LA-based artist delved into raw personal territory on this project, exploring her healing process, experimenting with Logic Pro, and embracing the uncertainty of creating on her own. What started as a challenge to make music in isolation eventually became her boldest and most revealing project yet.

KCR College Radio spoke with Juzang about her production process, her songwriting instincts, and the sound of what’s next.

KCR: The release of EITHER WAY ??!? last month marked your most self-produced project yet. What was the scariest and most rewarding part of producing it yourself?

JUZANG: “I think the scariest part was starting. I didn’t set out to produce it by myself. That wasn’t my intention or goal at all. It just kind of is what happened, because my producers were busy, like, working on other projects, and I was like, oh, I’ll just try it out. And I think, like, staring at the empty Logic file and being like, okay, what do I do? I think that was the scariest part. But it’s just like one track at a time. You sort of add things. And listening to it in the end when it came out, I was like, okay, I’m very proud of this, and it was rewarding.”

KCR: You mentioned doing a song-a-day challenge early in the process. Did that help you build discipline or give you more joy as an artist?

JUZANG: “Challenging myself to write a song a day in that time frame was a very good exercise because there was a goal for my day, every day. And when you reach that, you’re like, okay, I did something positive.”

KCR: What was it like diving into Logic Pro and teaching yourself as you went?

JUZANG: “I grew up with my friend Jason, who produced my first two EPs, and I’ve watched him use Logic for many years. I was sort of familiar with the interface. That was just the one I was most familiar with, and I think it’s probably the most user-friendly when starting out. There’s so many great sounds on Logic. Alchemy is their kind of sound bank, and that’s what most of the sounds on the EP are from.”

KCR: On tracks like “FINE !” and “All These Questions,” you dig into really emotional spaces. How do you know when a song like that is finished?

JUZANG: “I usually get it to a place where I can listen back to it, and I don’t cringe. I don’t think I’ll deem it done until I can listen and not critique — like, don’t think there’s anything that I can make better now.”

KCR: Would you say you’re your biggest critic?

JUZANG: “For sure, but it’s not like in a mean way. I loved school — I loved writing papers in school and editing. I pay a lot of attention to detail, but it’s not like beating myself up. I want it to be the best that it can be.”

KCR: There’s an emotional arc in the EP — from anger to acceptance. Was that intentional?

JUZANG: “Yeah, definitely… It’s like about this one breakup. It starts very kind of angry and upset, as you are when you’re going through something. And then it’s like remembering the positives. And then in the end, it kind of resolves into like, yes, it’s over, and that is sad, but there were good moments and I can kind of just appreciate it for what it was.”

KCR: Who were some of the musical influences behind EITHER WAY ??!??

JUZANG: “I listened to a lot of Remi Wolf during it. And Dora Jar. I love The 1975 — always kind of been one for me. And then ‘Why’d You Ask’ — like some pop rock bands I listened to as a kid, like All Time Low and 5 Seconds of Summer.”

KCR: What would 13-year-old Lauren, who loved 5 Seconds of Summer, think about this EP?

JUZANG: “I hope she’d like it. I think she would. I grew up on Top 40, and then in middle school kind of got into the more alt situation. So maybe this would confuse her a little bit, but I think she’d think it was cool.”

KCR: What’s the live reception been like for these songs?

JUZANG: “‘Why’d You Ask’ was definitely the one that people were like, what was that song? It emphasized the importance of a chorus that people can latch on to and remember.”

KCR: Your music has this raw acoustic charm. Do you want to eventually expand to a full band setup?

JUZANG: “Yeah, I used to play in college with a band at house shows. For the LA shows on this run, I had two friends with me, and it was kind of a full band. We were switching around instruments. It made me very excited for when I can build my own show someday and have the whole arrangement.”

KCR: So what would your dream live setup look like?

JUZANG: “I honestly really loved the trio. I think I could see that happening for at least my first headline tour. Eventually, I love Clairo’s setup. She has just a massive band and they’re so good. That’s the dream — a big stage setup. As much as I love playing instruments, eventually I don’t want to do that and can just run around.”

KCR: Now that the EP is out, is there a lyric or track you hold close to your heart?

JUZANG: “‘Either Way,’ the title track, and ‘All These Questions.’ The line that says, ‘Maybe in the end it was for the best, doesn’t mean I love you any less.’ That was kind of the thesis.”

KCR: As a college radio station, we’re always curious — how did the college DIY scene shape you as a performer?

JUZANG: “It was a huge part of my career thus far. Being able to get my first couple of shows of my own out when it’s very low stakes, but still have a place where people are listening and can give you feedback, it was so helpful. Syracuse had a very big house show scene. Basement parties and that whole thing… perfect time to try stuff out.”

KCR: And finally — what’s next? What sound are you exploring moving forward?

JUZANG: “Honestly, what I’m making now is very different, which I’m really excited about. The next thing will be a little more synthy, a little more ’80s. Probably new music in the fall. Hopefully I’m going on tour in the fall, too.”