colby! Releases New Single “University”

If there’s one thing we know for sure is that colby! made the right decision to release “University“.

At just 20 years old, the Texas-born singer and songwriter has already built a reputation for crafting a brand of “alt-pop that’s both cathartic and wildly fun”. Her music bursts with honesty and imagination, shaped through years of creating alongside her brother and producer RJ Johnson, a Berklee College of Music alum. What started as a childhood outlet for her boundless creativity — from painting to building furniture for her dolls — has turned into a career defined by raw lyrics, fearless storytelling, and songs that feel like anthems for anyone navigating the messiness of growing up.

Her latest single, “University” (released August 22), captures that exact spirit. It’s a song about overthinking, regret, and the never-ending loop of wondering if you’re doing the right thing — feelings colby! has put into words in a way that’s deeply relatable.

The Story Behind “University”

“University” is one of colby!’s most personal songs yet. It took almost two years to complete, starting with just a verse and chorus before finally coming together last year.

In her own words:

“‘University’ is a song about being really indecisive, second-guessing, and learning how to live without ever knowing if you made the ‘right’ choice…because I may or may not have commitment issues. This song truly has my heart. I think of it as a little bit of my baby because it captures the way my brain works. The constant overthinking, the ‘Am I doing the right thing? Is this smart? Should I be doing what everyone else is doing?’ kind of spiral. I get caught in the what-ifs, ‘Should I have done this instead? Should I have said yes instead of no?’ to the point where I’m almost thinking more about the choices I didn’t make than the ones I did. It took almost two years to finish. I gave the concept to my brother RJ a long time ago and we had the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, but the second verse and bridge didn’t come until about nine months ago.”

The lyrics of “University” feel like a stream of consciousness pulled straight from colby!’s journal. The recurring line — “I’m afraid, I’m afraid, I’m afraid I made a mistake” — repeats like a mantra, echoing the endless cycle of doubt and what-ifs.

She wrestles with both big and small choices, from questioning her path (“Not trapped in a University / Am I even kind / Why do I fight with time”) to reflecting on relationships and self-growth (“It’s my fault I don’t want help / I guess I just work on my health”). By the time she admits “What if all my no should have been yes, but I shouldn’t regret”, the song lands as a confession so relatable it feels universal.

colby! also captures the weight of comparing yourself to others, while also admitting that from the outside, people might envy the life she’s built: “Comparison that deadly sin / I always fall down / And people look at my life and want what I have now.”

Musically, the track matches that restless energy. The production, handled by RJ, is full of movement — pulsing beats, layered vocals, and dreamy textures that rise and fall like the waves of anxiety the lyrics describe. It’s both catchy and vulnerable, making it perfect for blasting in the car or listening to alone when you’re caught in your own head.

The visualizer, now on YouTube, adds to the experience. It’s abstract and hypnotic, letting the listener sink deeper into the emotions of the track rather than telling a straightforward story.

Much like her earlier releases — from her debut Dead Giveaway to her EP FINE! — “University” shows colby!’s talent for transforming her own insecurities into songs that connect on a larger scale. Growing up with dyslexia shaped the way she sees and expresses the world, and that perspective shines through here: bold, curious, and entirely her own.

With “University,” colby! reminds us that even the most overwhelming doubts can be turned into something freeing — and yes, wildly fun.