Ladybyrd’s early singles
‘Stolen Sunlight’, ‘Oblivious’ and
‘Too Close To Call’ have presented a spellbinding introduction to the 19-year-old singer-songwriter’s talents, leading to initial attention including airplay at
BBC Introducing, an in-depth
On The Rise feature from
The Line of Best Fit, and a set at
London’s Clapham Grand. That’s only the beginning, however, as Ladybyrd again steps with today’s release of her new single
‘Sub Zero’, which previews next
Friday’s release of her debut EP
‘Sub Zero’. Listen and pre-save the EP
HERE.‘Sub Zero’ sees Ladybyrd raising the temperature as winter sets in. Her sophisticated alt-pop shines with a richer texture than ever before, with propulsive beats, urgent keys, swooning backing vocals and moody synths all contributing to her biggest and most dynamic song to date. Despite that cultured sound, it’s also full of youthful attitude as Ladybyrd’s luscious vocals explore the turmoil of young love, set to an evocative backdrop of the changing seasons.
Ladybyrd says, “‘Sub Zero’ is about the journey of finding courage to leave a relationship that has gone cold. It explores the complex emotions of desire, regret and realisation. It tells the story of losing yourself in someone who has only made you feel worse, and the mental battle that comes with that. I was partly inspired by Narnia to write this – the friendship between Edmund and the White Witch which seems promising at first, but leads to danger.”
‘Sub Zero’ and her previous single ‘Oblivious’ will both feature on Ladybyrd’s debut EP ‘Sub Zero’ which follows next Friday. Completed by three brand new songs in the shape of ‘Winter’, ‘Feeling Something’ and ‘Orion’s Belt’, this first statement in a surging career shows that her cohesive artistic vision can leap between varying sounds and atmospheres.
She adds, “I’m so excited that the EP release is almost here…it’s been a labour of love and am super-grateful to have this opportunity to share even more of my music. I really feel the EP has given a voice to those feelings of discovery, vulnerability and hopefulness that were with me as I was writing it”.
Ladybyrd co-wrote all five songs on the EP, with production from Torsten Stenzel and Adrian Zag, who have a range of international Platinum certifications to their names. The EP’s release will be accompanied by an elegant black-and-white video for ‘Sub Zero’, which focuses on Ladybyrd at home in London.
London is a world away from her early life. She grew up in a small village community in Buckinghamshire, and channelled her passion for music into songs inspired by putting herself in the shoes of characters from her favourite books and films. She would write and record songs at home, but her studies remained her main priority. But when a family friend sent some of her self-recorded demos to Adrian Zag, his interest opened up a huge opportunity. Ladybyrd didn’t hesitate and almost immediately sent him a catalogue of fifty songs for further consideration.
Their collaborations uncovered more layers to her songwriting, while relocating to London gave her the life experiences that add another layer to her narrative lyricism. Her music touches on her influences without being at all reliant on them, bringing her own flavour to current favourites Gracie Abrams, Maisie Peters, Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift with some classic touches that recall Kate Bush or Regina Spektor.
‘Sub Zero’ EP tracklist:
