Combining intimate electro-pop with elements of R&B and hip-hop, the music of Lila Drew emerged in 2018 when, following some self-produced demos, she recorded her debut single, "faded/2am" with rapper GoldLink. An extended version of the song was included on her first EP, 2019's locket (side one). Over the next few years, she stuck to singles, including 2021's "2023" and "Lila's Theme."