Photo courtesy artist

London’s indie pop artist Natalie Shay returns with yet another banger. The 21 year-old artist is known for her utterly infectious releases, which stay embedded in your ear all day and her new single “Not The Girl” might just top them all.

Reminiscent of Haim meets Blossoms, with a healthy dose of 80’s inspired synths, Shay has concocted a contagious sound that we can’t get enough of. The young songwriter shares, “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 flavour of each of those things in my music.” Painting a colorful, sonic picture bursting with vibrancy and life, Shay’s music emanates an instant uplifting and effervescent mood.

The visuals for “Not The Girl” show the singer arriving at an audition. Witnessing the off-putting facade from the judges, the unwelcoming atmosphere knocks her confidence. Determined to not let others put her down, Shay gets back on stage and takes complete control, leaving the audience awestruck from her explosive performance. Jumping around on stage and giving us her signature hair-flick, Shay oozes poise. The video is an example of how we should always approach things feeling fearless in order to conquer and emphasizes the importance of self-love.  

As a BRIT School graduate, there is no doubt that Shay is closely following down the same path as some of her alumni including Raye, Rex Orange County and Freya Ridings. “Not The Girl” is off of Shay’s upcoming debut EP NAKED, due in April. If you’re in London, then be sure to catch her live at Camden Assembly on the 16th April for her EP release show.