Natalie Shay is a 21-year-old indie pop/rock artist hailing from London who is rapidly being recognized as one of the UK’s hottest emerging talents. She is a multi-award-winning musician who has established an ever-growing presence, media acclaim, and a loyal fanbase through her live performances and viral-worthy anthems.
Time spent at the prestigious BRIT School has finessed her ability to produce music with musical maturity. Compared to the likes of Haim, Little Comets and Fickle Friends, the Londoner has absorbed similar energy within her new music.
Shay’s upcoming EP entitled ‘NAKED’ is a five-track release delving into the everyday experiences of a 21-year-old, detailing relationships and life as a young musician. Continuing the songwriter’s love of 80’s soaked music, the EP cleverly blends the best of an era with modern flares. Shay expresses, “I love authentic 80s synth and drum sounds, but I also love modern pop vocal lines and effects. And of course lots of guitars. I try to include a flavor of each of those things in my music. It was very important to me that all of the songs had their unique stamp and vibe but still all fitted and worked together under the same project”.
Leading single “Not The Girl” narrates the relatable situation of modern dating but through a fun and lighthearted lens. “This song was written on reflection of a relationship, but more from a perception of understanding rather than a big ‘f*ck you”, shares the singer. However, years after finishing the song, Shay realized that the lyrics now took on a whole different meaning, depicting the feeling of sometimes not feeling good enough and frustrations towards working relationships. Sonically “Not The Girl” features upbeat buoyant melodies, effortless vocals, and vivid storytelling lyrics.
“Owe It To You” shows a more heartfelt side of Shay’s songwriting, emitting a raw and truly personal essence. Thematically the single is about being in a relationship and struggling to resist temptation. Title track “Naked” shares the topic with “Owe It To You”, illustrating the breakdown in a relationship, knowing you have interest elsewhere but struggling to let go for the fear of being alone. The single sees Shay’s first time including brass instruments in her music, bringing the song to life through a vibrant saxophone solo.
Shay sold out two headline shows last year and her music continues to pique the interest of notable publications such as Billboard, Clash and The Line of Best Fit. To date, she has collectively amassed hundreds of thousands of streams, with her single ‘Yesterday’ being placed in Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in nine countries. Natalie Shay is a force to be reckoned with and we can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store. NAKED is slated for release on 17th April.
We wish her the very best for the future!
For further info please visit her website or social media links: Facebook and Twitter
Image provided by Joseph Shillabeer
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