Honest songs. Haunted hearts. Unforgettable hooks.
Aria Ohlsson is a 28-year-old Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and emotional depth. After losing her mother at just 12 years old, songwriting became her way of processing grief; a kind of therapy that continues to shape her creative voice. She treats every session like an open journal, allowing listeners to find their own stories within hers.
Her breakout single “Love on the Weekend”, released in 2021, initially amassed several million streams across Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music, steadily connecting with listeners through its intimate portrayal of modern love. The trajectory accelerated when two members of global K-pop phenomenon BTS shared the track on their socials, introducing Aria to a massive international audience and amplifying the momentum the song was already building and eventually surpassing 25 million streams worldwide. For Aria, however, the impact has never been about numbers, but about meaningful connection.
Aria’s latest single, “Ghost,” marks a new chapter in her storytelling. Written during a transformative trip to Joshua Tree, California with her producers, “Ghost” emerged after writing an especially emotional piece that opened the floodgates creatively.
The high-energy electronic pop track captures the ache of a love you can’t escape, even after it’s over.
“The song embodies that haunting feeling of someone still living in your mind, your body, your memories,” explains Aria. “They’re not physically there anymore but emotionally they linger. It’s about trying to move on… but realizing some connections don’t disappear just because you decide they should”.
“Ghost” feels like a big pop anthem brimming with punchy synths and shimmering guitars — but it’s Aria’s performance that truly elevates the track. Her voice moves with intention, balancing strength and vulnerability, and feels both polished and deeply personal — confident, expressive, and memorable.
With “Ghost,” Aria steps fully into her power as a storyteller; unafraid to expose the raw edges of love, loss, and life. The single marks more than a release; it signals a return to the stage, where she’s most alive, fearless and unfiltered, bringing her closest to her bold 14-year-old-self who first fell in love with music. As she looks ahead to touring, writing for other artists, and building a creative community, Aria isn’t just chasing momentum, she’s building a legacy.
Review
“Ghost” moves with an upbeat pulse, but it’s far from bright. There’s a darker undercurrent woven through it — the kind of energy that feels driving and alive, yet emotionally heavy. From the opening line, “’Cause your love’s got me down on my knees,” you’re pulled straight into that vulnerable surrender, but it doesn’t feel soft. It feels intense.
What makes “Ghost” stand out is the emotional push and pull. On one hand, there’s unwavering loyalty — “I’ll be there when the sun is shining / I’ll be there on the coldest nights.” On the other, there’s that haunting realization: “It’s your ghost that leaves my heart haunted.” It’s not just about love — it’s about the imprint someone leaves behind. Even when they’re gone, they’re still there in your head, in your body, in your memories.
As the song builds, the layered repetition in the final chorus gives it a cinematic swell that feels big and unapologetic. “Ghost” isn’t trying to be subtle — it leans fully into the ache, the devotion, and the intensity of a connection that refuses to disappear. It’s bold, emotional pop with something real at its core.