Em Armstrong Reclaims Her Power on Edgy Alt-Rock Anthem “Maybe Probably Never”
Alternative rock artist Em Armstrong breathes new life into “Maybe Probably Never,” an edgy, bold, and empowering anthem about closure, self-respect, and choosing yourself.
“This song came from a tough breakup and sparked the realization that the wrong people can’t keep coming back into my life whenever it’s convenient for them,” Armstrong shares. “It’s a reminder that if someone truly cares, they show up the first time.”
The title itself reflects the emotional limbo she once felt. “‘Maybe, probably I’ll go back,’” Armstrong says, echoing the confusion that followed the split. “Spoiler alert: I never did.”
Though the song has been released before, this version represents growth. Years later, its meaning has evolved. What once centered on an ex, now stands as a declaration of resilience.
“It’s no longer about him,” Armstrong explains. “It’s about being wronged by someone and finding the ability to get back up and know better next time. When they think they can take you down, you dust yourself off and prove to them you know who you are.”
Driven by gritty guitars and punchy alternative rock production, “Maybe Probably Never” captures Armstrong’s signature tell-it-like-it-is style. Her crushing vocals cut through with both vulnerability and fire, embodying the emotional tension of the lyrics.
Mississauga, Ontario’s Em Armstrong has been commanding stages since the age of 14. Classically trained yet fueled by the rebellious spirit of Hayley Williams, Alanis Morissette, and Amy Lee, Armstrong now delivers high-energy performances that inject fresh intensity into the pop-rock and alternative space.
At her core, Armstrong writes like she talks; candid, unfiltered, and personal.
“Whatever I’m going through, you’re going to feel like it’s happening to you,” she says.
Whether it’s heartbreak, frustration, or everyday chaos, she invites listeners into her world like a late-night FaceTime call; honest, messy, and real.
With “Maybe Probably Never,” Em Armstrong doesn’t just revisit a chapter, she rewrites it. What began as heartbreak now stands as an empowering reminder: if they don’t show up the first time, you don’t wait around for a second.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, I’m Em, an alternative rock singer from Toronto who writes songs your exes will hate!
“Maybe Probably Never” comes from a really personal place—can you take us back to the moment this song first started forming?
This song manifested from a breakup back in 2020. I could see it coming, but I didn’t want to believe it because I really fell hard for this person. Months later, I’m in a happy relationship and my ex decided to come back, saying he made a mistake but at that point it was too late. He even wrote a song for me that had a three word title, and for a long time, that song stuck with me. When writing this song I really sunk in to those big feelings and moments he and I had, and wanted to make my intentions clear about how I felt about the relationship. “Maybe, Probably, Never ever again.”
You’ve said this song has evolved over time—how does it feel revisiting something so personal with a new perspective?
This song will always hold a special place in my heart, and was a driving factor as to why I chose my solo journey after my band broke up. It’s a constant reminder that I can put myself first, and I can and should set boundaries. If people don’t like that, then tough. A lyric that has really changed in my perspective since the original release is “You’re not something I will ever regret” meaning, I don’t regret the choices I made and the time I’ve spent with people, because it’s taught me a lot about who I am as a person and artist.
This track really centers on self-respect and setting boundaries. Was that a difficult lesson for you to learn?
It’s definitely tough because so many people get upset when you don’t want to subscribe to their narrative. I’ve dealt with a lot of people seeing me as a sort of object or “face,” and disrespecting my boundaries even after I’ve said no. I’m not taking that anymore, and this song has really become my anthem for that.
Looking back now, do you feel grateful for that experience because of what it taught you?
Absolutely! I would be way worse off, making dumber mistakes. I appreciate all the lessons I’ve learned even if that means losing people or time. You’re never going to get it perfect off the jump. Even though these lessons can be a hard pill to swallow, you’re better off knowing and going through these experiences than never doing anything at all.
You’ve cited artists like Hayley Williams, Alanis Morissette, and Amy Lee—what have you taken from each of them into your own artistry?
Alanis’ Jagged Little Pill is one of my favourite albums and continues to inspire me in my writing and the attitude I put behind my songs. This album was my soundtrack to my breakup when it originally happened. Amy Lee is who inspired me to go into rock music as we both come from a classical background in music. Hayley is who I aspire to be; as a musician, storyteller and person. She is so innovative in the way she writes and performs, and I hope to one day have an ounce of her charisma to captivate an audience the way she does. She’s also taught me to never be silent on how things make you feel, and to stand up for what you believe in.
You started performing at just 14—how has your relationship with music changed since those early days?
When I first started performing, I thought I would originally end up on Broadway. I always admired the women in rock that I mentioned before, but didn’t think I could be a rock singer, or sound good in the genre. What’s changed for me about music is anything is possible as long as you have the courage to try. Things aren’t hard, they’re just new. I think 14-year-old Emma would be over the moon to see all the things I’ve done so far.
Does “Maybe Probably Never” signal a new chapter or direction for your sound moving forward?
Absolutely! Maybe Probably Never is just the first story, there are so many more coming and I’m really excited! I’m really honing into my alternative roots and being very unapologetic about it!