THE BACKSTORY:
Molly Payton is someone who clearly isn’t afraid to take a leap of faith. Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, the 18-year-old singer decided, two years ago, to relocate to London to pursue her musical ambitions. Despite some initial tricky hurdles – she’s spoken candidly about the difficulties in leaving behind her family and friends – Payton’s conviction has, we’re glad to report, finally been rewarded. Her recent debut EP, Mess, has been showered with plaudits, and she’s been hailed as one of 2020’s most exciting young talents by numerous bloggers and tastemakers.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen, her music – acoustic-driven indie-pop soaked in sadness and drama – reveals her as an old soul with a young mind. Whether she’s singing about romantic turbulence or the narcissistic tendencies of Gen Z, her voice radiates a self-possession and maturity beyond her years.
Judging by the precocity of her debut, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Payton following a similar career path to someone like Laura Marling – an artist whose career is defined by real depth and longevity. It’s still early days, of course, but young Molly Payton is already off to a flying start.
KEY TRACK: ‘1972’. Inspired by her early (and seemingly unpleasant) experiences of London’s social scene, this recent single highlights her intuitive gift for melody and striking lyrical candour.
FOR FANS OF: Julia Jacklin, Florence + The Machine, Alexandra Savior.
