New Music Review - ‘Be Mine’ by Makayla
Be Mine by Makayla was released on the 26th of September 2025. Cover artwork: Provided/Sony Music NZ
Be Mine is the bold, new dating-anthem from Māori-American, Hawkes Bay-based RnB queen, Makayla, who has taken the bond that she has with her audience and utilised inspiration from them to write about the unfavourable feeling of wanting to be with somebody who doesn’t dare to put a label on the two of you, despite doing all of the couple-type things together.
Makayla shows off her well-polished voice that glows alongside the presence of compelling hooks and straight-talking expressions that are planted effortlessly into Be Mine, which is also laced with pop romanticism to accompany the topic that comes up more often than not in dating: the (dreaded) complexities of a situationship.
The beats that are neatly paired alongside Makayla’s magic are joyous and exceptionally addictive to hear. Be Mine has been laid out and produced with such flawlessness that it will be the envy of any other upcoming tracks in this realm from different musicians.
During the course of Be Mine, Makayla touches on not only the physicality’s of a situationship type of person, but also the feelings in her own head and wondering out loud the messiness of what is happening in this particular space. With words such as “does it count if I like your time, your hand in mine and your body near?” this is a pivotal turning point during Be Mine, a switch in the internal dialogue of anybody who has been through this tunnel before. It’s not just skin deep; it’s real, it’s raw and it’s a want, not just a need, to have that status pinned down with this particular someone.
Makayla gives this pulsating flair to Be Mine, literally stating “call me the one, or I think I’m done” which amplifies the need for a deeper connection, and shares how intense it can get when you’re finding it unattainable to move towards forever with someone.
There is a great sense of self-authority in shutting the door when you know something is not going to be of value to you in the long-term which Makayla has superbly expressed throughout the creation of Be Mine, and her strength in essentially saying that just because things are good on the figurative ship at times, it doesn’t mean it won’t sink eventually. Especially if the balance is proving to be uneven.
There is a quiet awakening during the outro of the song where Makayla questions whether this person feels her love, and this questioning comes with such strong intention that it makes you feel as though you've got a front row seat to a conversation that might as well be unravelling around you.
Whether Makayla has endured a situationship or has simply been around to witness one from friends or family, the way that she has solidified the track will leave you feeling truly uplifted and as though you deserve better in your own situationship. Power to those who know their worth and can walk away from what is not serving them.
For Makayla to have this incredible intensity within her songwriting is genuinely awe-inspiring and really creates such acknowledgement to what maybe you, as the reader, or someone else you know, is, or has been through.
A big thank you to Sony Music NZ for the opportunity to allow me to write this review!
For more Makayla, make sure to check out all of her links below -