Eva Pagan gets personal in ‘In The Mirror,’ a tribute to her name and her mother

Review By Valentina Hernández

Eva Pagán’s new single ‘In The Mirror’ marks a turning point — not just in sound, but in identity. Previously releasing music as Eva Westphal (her legal surname, from her German side), she now performs under her mother’s last name, Pagán, in honour of her Puerto Rican roots. She’s not denying where she came from — she’s said herself she loves her dad — but this is really about making her story her own. This new chapter feels like a fresh start: leaning right into her Latin background, her queerness, and her storytelling side.​

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The lyrics dive into her relationship with her mum, and more broadly, what it’s like to be the child of immigrant parents — all the sacrifices, tough choices, and the gaps that can open up between generations. One of the most striking lines is: “And I get why you did what you did: leaving, chasing, you were just a kid.” It lands deeply, especially if you’ve ever tried to understand your parents’ past-literally and emotionally. 

The Spanish verse stands out, both musically and symbolically, and the voice note from her grandmother is a personal touch that makes the track feel grounded and intimate, with sounding overly polished. Her vocal delivery is soft and assured. There’s clear use of vocal effects-some might call it heavy on the autotune-but it’s not hiding her real voice. It reframes it. Her earlier stuff was more acoustic and bare-bones, but now she’s clearly calling all the shots with her sound. She knows exactly how she wants it to hit, and it’s so refreshing to hear. The only thing is, all the layered effects might make it harder for some disabled listeners to pick up everything.

Without the lyrics in front of you, a bit of the story could easily get lost on the first listen — especially in the parts where her vocals are more filtered. As May 16th, 2025, there is yet a lyric video or accessible captions to be released, which, knowing Eva, I believe it’s in the works.

Overall, ‘In The Mirror’ is emotional, danceable, ​and beautifully put together. I smiled, I danced, and I definitely teared up. I’d recommend it to anyone—but especially to children of immigrants. Bonus points if you’re queer. Eva Pagán is carving out something unique, and this feels like just the beginning for her, and for summer!

​About the artist
Eva Pagán is a New York–based singer-songwriter who previously released music under her legal name, Eva Westphal. Fans call her an “international artist”, thanks to her German, Puerto Rican, and Colombian roots. She began her musical journey with stripped-back, honest songs about mental health and queerness — a rawness she’s carried into her more pop-forward sound today. A Columbia University graduate, she’s currently studying law while continuing to write, produce, and connect with her growing audience. Chronically online — in the best way: clever, funny, and deeply in touch with the community she’s singing for.