LACES, the alt-pop alias of Billboard-recognized queer music executive Jessica Vaughn, returns with a timely anthem for the fed-up and burned-out. Her new single, “I Quit for Summer,” is a rebellious, sun-drenched kiss-off to the grind—a cathartic escape hatch for anyone who’s ever fantasized about slamming their laptop shut and sprinting into the sunset, preferably with a wine glass in hand. With her signature introspective lyricism and lush alt-pop production, LACES delivers a track that doesn’t just sound like summer—it feels like a liberation.
Produced by fellow queer artist Dresage (Keeley Bumford), “I Quit for Summer” is both cheeky and profound, a tongue-in-cheek nod to Office Space’s iconic anti-work moment, updated for a generation drowning in burnout and late-stage capitalism. The synths buzz like a hazy July afternoon, while Vaughn’s vocals carry a gleam of both defiance and exhaustion. “Is this job a dead end? Am I just being rewarded with more work?” she asks, as if voicing the internal monologue of millions. It’s in these questions that the track finds its heart—not just in the fantasy of quitting, but in the deep desire to choose joy over obligation.
LACES has never been one to shy away from emotional complexity. Beneath the breezy melodies lies a history of resilience and reinvention. Formerly known as Charlotte Sometimes, Vaughn’s career has traveled through major label signings, a turn on The Voice, and a steady evolution into one of the most quietly influential voices in alt-pop. Her music has been featured in Grey’s Anatomy, Lucifer, and countless other shows across CW, Netflix, and ABC, cementing her as a powerhouse of sync-ready storytelling.
As both an artist and advocate, Vaughn brings her full self to every release. Named one of Billboard’s Top Queer Music Executives and credited with the #7 sync of 2021, she’s made a career out of creating space—for joy, for rage, for vulnerability, and above all, for authenticity. “I Quit for Summer” is more than a song; it’s a cultural sigh of relief wrapped in a glittery beat. And it’s just the beginning. The single serves as the final release before her long-awaited WORK EP drops this June, a project that promises more of the unfiltered, emotionally intelligent pop that fans have come to love.
Whether she’s writing for Jem & the Holograms or penning essays for Atwood Magazine, LACES continues to expand her creative orbit without losing her center. With recent praise from Wonderland, Ladygunn, Earmilk, and Flaunt, and a fresh publishing deal with Peer Music, she’s poised to keep pushing boundaries while staying grounded in truth. “I Quit for Summer” may be a daydream, but it’s also a declaration—of self-worth, of freedom, and of the radical idea that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is just walk away.
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