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PREMIERE: Stream Layla’s ‘Weightless’ EP and Read Her Musical Love Letters

Plus check out our interview with the British brood-pop artist.

On LAYLA's third EP, the British brood-pop artist tackles the painful topic of infidelity—something she unfortunately knows all too well. With breathy vocals, a jazzy range and a talent for emotional songwriting, LAYLA is unapologetically honest. It might be the UK singer’s background is in classical music, but there’s something that makes her tracks soulful, jazzy and honest. That honesty is refreshing and incredibly gorgeous when translated into tracks form her forthcoming Weightless EP.

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You can get a first listen to it with our premiere of LAYLA’s Weightless EP—a collection of tracks to add to your sad girl song playlist, alongside BANKS, Lorde and Broods. Songs like “Weightless,” “Fight The Fire” and “For You” flow like re-surfaced love letters expressed in layered vocals filled with reflection, hope, independence and anger.

LAYLA dished on cheating ex-boyfriends, learning it’s okay to be a mess and hopefully getting some late night waffles in America one day. You can grab a copy of LAYLA’s Weightless EP when it's out November 10.

How does this EP differ from your first two?
I’ve hoped that each EP I have produced progresses musically, lyrically and emotionally. My songwriting has certainly developed in this EP; I'm less afraid to push myself vocally and these new songs are far more affirming and uplifting than their predecessors. I've tried to harness positive energy and craft something that's brimming with light and potential.

Why was “Weightless” the first single?
I suppose it's the most interesting song, musically speaking; it's slightly different to what I have done before, and I wanted to mark this new EP as a progression from the previous one. Also I am just very proud of it and wanted people to hear it!

It sounds a bit different this time around, but not drastically different at the same time. How does your music help you explain human emotions and the human condition?
I think music in general helps people to explain what being "human" is. As a listener, you use music to either identify your problems and comfort them, or to bolster your happiness. As an artist it's about using music as a cathartic release; sometimes I feel euphoric for no reason. I write a song to help understand where that came from. Occasionally I am confused why I'm feeling such sadness or jealousy—so I write a song. For me, songwriting is a form of brain and heart exploration. It's hugely comforting to un-tether myself from my innermost feelings and encapsulate them in 4 minute pieces of music that I can consciously observe from an outside perspective. It's basically therapy.

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It sounds like you definitely “went there” on this EP. What is the Weightless EP about?
This EP focuses on the idea of feeling invincible. That might come from within yourself, where you have a personal drive to overcome your own insecurities and become stronger, or from someone else in your life—there are some people in the world who can make you feel like you can do anything. They are probably the ones to hold onto.

I love the confidence aspect to the EP. What's your biggest source of inspiration?
I am certainly influenced by music, poetry, people and I suppose my own turbulent emotions, but I genuinely have no idea where these songs come from. They just appear as little sparks and the songwriting process is about harnessing them really.

What topic have you been most vulnerable about in your music? What caused you to write about it?
Probably the age-old topic of relationships, and their potential to either empower you or corrupt everything else in your worldview. It’s quite scary really. “Fight The Fire” was written as an almost antidote to the latter - I wanted to crack on and forget about the fact that I've been cheated on by every single man I have ever been with, and writing that song really helped. Seriously, keep your pants on people. Or I'm coming at you with a fire extinguisher. (I actually threw a fire extinguisher at an ex-boyfriend once, after I caught him having a good time in bed with someone else. It was wonderful).

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Oh man, I’m so sorry to hear that! Though, that’s a really funny story. Can you tell me a little bit about "The Burrow?"
Yes! It's my favorite place. It's a glorified shed in my garden that's full of keyboards, fairy lights, and ideas. I write most of my songs in there, and record the majority of my music in there too. It's the ideal place for to disappear from the world for a few hours.

How have you taken a DIY approach in your music?
I suppose the fact that I am unsigned at the moment is quite integral to keeping things DIY. If you have enough willpower and drive you can achieve anything, you don't necessarily need a major label with loads of money to help you. The last few weeks have taught me that actually; I have been given opportunities beyond my wildest dreams, and that's all from working hard and keeping positive. There's nothing wrong with being independent. Do it yourself until you need a hand.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
Feist is a big influence; I adore her approach, her outlook, her songwriting and her voice. Her live performance she is breathtaking. I also have a lot of respect for James Blake, Death Cab for Cutie, Beethoven, Coldplay, The Weeknd and Rhye.

How have you been able to stay under the radar thus far?
I'm not sure any of it was overly intentional; but being under the radar is great! Sometimes tortoises win the races, and I have no issue with people finding my music at a later stage in the game because hopefully it's always getting better. I'm in no rush and under no pressure, because I want to make sure that my debut album is the most sublime piece of art that I have ever made.

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How did you feel when you saw your first single taking off?
Euphoric! I feel so grateful every time I release any music and it engages with people. 'Smokestacks' was mad though. I was driving to a gig and started getting all these blog posts and tweets and the play counts were going up and up. Then it got picked up on radio, and it was all a bit surreal. I felt incredibly grateful, hugely blessed and really bloody proud of myself.

How has your musical background furthered your career?
Coming from a classical music background has certainly helped in terms of songwriting and shaping chords and melodies. I love writing and scoring all the string parts myself, and it's a joy to be able to hear it in my head and bring it to life on paper. That is a true privilege. That said, I think that anyone is exposed to music as a child and grows up listening and playing it has the potential to be creative and musical; I don't think one background is necessarily preferable. More than anything, what has furthered my career is the people I surround myself with: I am fortunate to have a great team around me, lovely friends, and a family who believes in me. Having someone believe in you on the days when you doubt yourself is more important than being able to read music or understand the theory behind chord progressions. Faith, support and perseverance is what it's all about.

Is there anyone you're sending a particular message to in your music?
I suppose if there were a message it would be to anyone who experiences doubt (which is basically everyone), reassuring them that everyone goes through sticky patches, failure, jealousy, fear… but that being invincible and empowered is totally achievable if you want it. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. You can cover over holes, fight barriers and be whoever you want to be. There is a scary and intangible idea of perfection floating around the world at the moment. I hope that my music reassures people that it's ok to be a bit of a mess sometimes. (I'm a mess most of the time).

Will you be touring the U.S.?
Hopefully one day! I'd love to play SXSW, and perform in New York. And then get a late night waffle with strawberries and cream after the show. That's a dream of mine, albeit a horrendously cheesy and specific one. I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed and working hard to cross the pond and get that waffle. I can nearly smell it…

What are you favorite tracks from the Weightless EP?
I love "For You" but I think “Cassiopeia” is my favorite song. I wrote it in about 10 minutes—it just poured out of me like lava. And I had a feeling that it was gonna be on the EP as soon as I recorded a demo. It's so full of energy. I love the lyrics, ‘I'm on the brink of something, and it ain't no imitation.’ To me it's about growing up and trying to be like everyone else, trying to copy your peers and blend in—and then realizing that you can actually achieve the most wonderful and brilliant things if you are just yourself.

Ilana Kaplan is a writer living in NYC. She's on Twitter.