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Susie Cousins 'Starless': The Classical Composer Who Went New Wave
Texas roots, documentary soundtracks and an '80s heart. Meet the artist behind the album 'Hotel Estelle.'
Most musicians pick a lane. Susie Cousins happily works in several. She's a classically trained singer and composer who writes choral pieces and documentary scores, yet she has always been drawn to '80s new wave. Her song "Starless" is a great way into that mix.
Who Is Susie Cousins?
According to her Spotify biography, Susie Cousins is a lifelong musician with a classical background and experience performing across many genres. She grew up in Texas and appreciates the clever lyricism of classic country songs.
But as a child of the '80s, she says she was always more drawn to new wave, rock, and pop. Her classical training as a singer and composer adds another layer, and her bio says that blend of genres is evident in her writing.
More Than a Songwriter
Susie's résumé goes well beyond pop singles. Her bio says that alongside her EPs, albums, and singles, she has composed soundtracks for several ABV Network documentaries and written many choral and classical pieces.
That background matters. Composers who score films learn how to build mood and tension over time, a skill that carries over to songwriting.
About "Starless"
"Starless" comes from Susie's album Hotel Estelle, released on March 1, 2025. At 5 minutes and 31 seconds, it's longer than your average pop track, which suits an artist with a composer's patience. At the time of writing, it has passed 6,900 plays on Spotify.
A Quick Guide to New Wave
Since new wave is central to Susie's influences, here's a quick primer. New wave emerged in the late 1970s and dominated much of the '80s. It took punk's energy and added synthesizers, sharper production, and pop hooks. Think Blondie, Talking Heads, The Cars, and Tears for Fears. It was stylish, often moody, and always melodic, making it a natural match for an artist with classical training.
Why Susie Cousins Stands Out
Plenty of artists borrow '80s sounds as a trend. Susie grew up with that era as a listener and brings formal training to it as a composer. That combination of classical craft, an ear for country-style lyricism, and new wave spirit is rare, and it makes Hotel Estelle worth a full listen.
Where to Listen
Stream "Starless" and the rest of Hotel Estelle on Susie Cousins' Spotify page.
Sources
Spotify — "Susie Cousins" artist biography