AYLA shares list of her favourite female singer-songwriters to celebrate the release of new single 'Bitterness'
Image: She Is Aphrodite
Sunshine Coast native AYLA recently released her new single ‘Bitterness’, her first release in close to a year.
The track is a mid-paced alt-electronica track with hints of R&B, presided over by AYLA’s gorgeous voice which soars into the chorus with both power and fragility.
“This song came out of one of the strongest heartbreaks I'd ever felt - a friendship,” AYLA says. “Writing it was a way to process the hurt I felt at the time. Sitting with the song for around two years, I've been able to reflect on it as a sentiment of the darker elements I felt about the situation at the time. In a way I was embarrassed by the feelings I'd had, but I think that both listening to and writing music helps to process your thoughts and feelings - some of which you don't want to carry around with you. You can get it out, and then let it go.”
AYLA has been releasing music since 2015 and it has consistently been of the highest class. She has a talent of creating electronic-alt-pop music that is left of field, intriguing, innovative, and mesmerising to listen to. If you haven’t discovered her music yet she is someone to add to your playlist immediately.
To celebrate the release of ‘Bitterness’, AYLA wrote a list of her five favourite Australian female singer-songwriters exclusively for Women In Pop and you can read it below.
Australian Songwriters that Ayla loves
Hannah Joy (Middle Kids): I love Hannah's storytelling. Her songs are like fairytales, in that they conjure a storyline in your mind. I loved her prior to, but also love her with Middle Kids. I think their sound is just so spot on - really well played and just gets the messages/stories of the songs straight across to the listener.
Asha Jeffries: Asha's beautiful fragile voice can make your heart break a hundred times in a song. She has such a raw delivery and expresses so much emotion through her beautiful songs. I first saw Asha at a house concert supporting my friend's band, and have watched her continue to grow as an artist and release more and more beautiful music.
Gretta Ray: I was recording with Sam Cromack at the time I heard Gretta on Unearthed High with her track 'Drive'. I showed the track to Sam, and just couldn't believe how intelligent her lyricism was at such a young age. I still think that song is one of the best modern Australian pop songs, and it's been so amazing to watch her career flourish as she really leans into the 'pop' aesthetic and is doing so well for herself. I saw her play in Brisbane recently and couldn't believe that she remembered me when my friend and I went to fan-girl after the show. I had asked her to support me the year of her Unearthed High experience, and she'd said she would really love to if it weren't that she'd be busy doing her HSC!
Greta Stanley: I saw Greta play at Bigsound, and was so impressed by her beautiful voice, band and stage presence. Her delivery of her songs gives me goosebumps with the emotion that she conveys.
Nicole McKinney: Nicole is a Sunshine Coast singer songwriter, and I've seen her play a few times. The first time, she was solo and supported some friends of mine for a show at Solbar (Sunshine Coast). Her whole set had me absolutely captivated and just really took me on a journey with her lyrics. I had so many of those 'oh yeah, I know exactly what you mean' moments as I was listening to her words - and I think that's such an important part of songwriting.
‘Bitterness’ is out now. You can download and stream here.
To keep up with all things AYLA you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Image: She Is Aphrodite
