Authentic feelings and honest lyrics in "CHAMPAGNE", the new EP by Natalie Shay

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Natalie Shay Champagne
(Photo credit: Holly McCandless-Desmond)

Natalie Shay is one of the most exciting singer-songwriters emerging from the UK indie-pop music scene. Having performed at the world’s biggest festivals for new music SXSW and The Great Escape, as well as well-renowned festivals like Reading, Latitude and Victorious, the North Londoner is making her way across the globe, turning heads with her explosive live performances.

Picking up the guitar at the age of five and attending the prestigious BRIT School in her teenage years, music has always been a part of Natalie’s life and her passion from a very young age. Known for her honest and relatable songwriting, Natalie is creating songs that empower and support, from infectious heartbreak anthems to up-beat tracks on love and friendships. She also doesn’t shy away from topics, speaking openly about mental health and anxiety. 

CHAMPAGNE is Natalie’s new six-track EP, described as her favourite collection of songs yet. It encompasses who the artist is today, as she gives us a personal and intimate look into her life, offering her most honest and authentic work to date. The EP begins with the banger "All The Time",  a radio-friendly captivating pop anthem which details the inner-monologue of a fan girl, accompanied by a music video that has gained more than 13K views to date. With the chorus written in the middle of the night after Natalie had an encounter with her teenage dream idol, the track is about unrequited love for the person that doesn’t know you exist (yet). The songwriter shares, "It was the person that I believe my entire 'type' was formed around during adolescence. "All The Time" is a song following the frustration of knowing you’d work so well together after so many years, if only they could 'see you', and how nobody else has ever compared to them. They are 'the one'. No questions asked". It really amazes me how Natalie has been able to represent so well the vulnerable feelings that every girl (including me) has lived at least once in her life. The powerful energy and vocals in this song succeed in letting those feelings flow and become real, validating them for the listener.

"Doing Well", a more introspective, synth-driven tune with an infectious rhythm, is followed by "The Edge", a catchy song which painfully recalls the demise of a friendship. The ultimate breakup anthem "Like You Boy" wonderfully highlights Natalie's vocal range with instrumentals stripped down to essential and an addictive melody. The EP closes with "Figure of 8", an uptempo danceable tune, and "Love Me Too" which represents a self-contained lyrical rambling of all of the themes and messages throughout the EP, all collated into one song. All the songs are accompanied by original and engaging music videos, that I encourage you to check out on Natalie's YouTube Channel.

The songwriter confides, "Every song was written during things I’ve learned and experienced with friendships and relationships over the last 2 years since my last EP, MILK". Natalie has already surpassed 10 million streams on Spotify alone, made it onto New Music Friday in 10 countries, including multiple times in the UK and received strong support from BBC Radio 1. She has also gained critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard, Wonderland, Clash, The Line of Best Fit, Notion, 1883 Magazine and many more.

Natalie Shay Champagne
(Photo Credit: Holly McCandless-Desmond)

Instagram: @natalieshaymusic

Linktree: Natalie Shay

[Info provided by LPR Agency]

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