WASHINGTON - s4story -- Following a milestone year that brought her music to the big screen, independent singer-songwriter Maria Raquel will release two original Halloween-inspired singles, "Midnight at Maria's" and "Round N Round," on October 1, 2026.

The new music follows a major career milestone for Maria: her original song "Plot Twist" was selected for the soundtrack of the feature film Watch It, available on major streaming platforms. Maria also appears in the film as a nightclub singer performing the song.

The placement expanded the reach of an artist who has built her fan base with songs including "Plot Twist," "Bull's-Eye," "I'm Better," "Do You Hear the Colors?" and "Rebel Rose."

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Now, Maria is taking her music into the world of Halloween.

"I've always thought it would be fun to have music that really lives in that world," says Maria. "I don't feel like a lot of musicians intentionally make Halloween music, especially on the upbeat, energetic pop side. I wanted to create something fun, exciting, danceable and made for Halloween parties and festivals."

"Midnight at Maria's" is the more personal of the two songs, inspired by Maria's childhood fears and anxieties.

"When I was younger, nighttime was when those fears felt the most present," she explains. "I would literally stack pillows around myself in my bed like a wall or a shield because it made me feel protected."

That childhood "wall of pillows" becomes a metaphor for the ways people protect themselves from fear. Ultimately, the song is about confronting those fears rather than allowing them to define you.

"Round N Round" takes a more fearless approach. Beginning with "Ria, I'm ready," the track introduces Maria's bolder alter ego and delivers the upbeat Halloween pop anthem she felt was missing from the season.

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Monsters and horror imagery become metaphors for haters and doubters, while childhood stories, double meanings and Stephen King-inspired references add layers to the song.

"You can't replicate someone's genuine passion, drive or purpose," Maria says. "It's about knowing you were made to do something and refusing to let anyone take that away from you."

Together, the songs explore two sides of Halloween: the fears we confront and the fearless energy we discover when we stop letting fear control us.

Following the film soundtrack placement of "Plot Twist," the new releases mark another step in Maria Raquel's evolution as a songwriter and storyteller.

"Midnight at Maria's" and "Round N Round" arrive October 1, 2026, on major streaming platforms.

For more information, visit www.mariaraquelthomas.com.