At merely 19-years-old, Southampton chanteuse Laurel is hardly removed from her formative years and those musical influences of her youth. As a child, she wanted to be Britney Spears and as a budding teen, Laura Marling; good news is she’s converged both paths into an intoxicating cocktail.
“Nicotine Dreams”, the latest release and video from her March EP, To The Hills, conjures a consummation of contradiction; the wistful and yearning with the addictive and codependent. Primarily enmeshed in deep moody synths with the titillating occasional electro-snap or pop, Laurel enchants us with a smooth, legato sensuality belying her age. True to its title, Laurel lyrically juxtaposes innocent, elegant, and regal with the dark, seedy and shadowy throughout the song.
Posing as a writhing ingénue in the accompanying video, it’s clear quite quickly Laurel will never make it through without tattering and mucking up that pristine wedding gown – and check out those shoes, she’s no one’s blushing bride.
Pick up Laurel’s debut EP now and catch her on the Best Fit Stage at this year’s Great Escape Festival on 8 May.
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