BILLIE MARTEN

Alongside the likes of MØ and Tove Styrke, Billie Marten finds herself in good company at Chess Club Records.

Unlike her counterparts, however, there’s no hiding under a thick overcoat of imposing production and peppy electronica with Marten. Instead, ‘Birds‘ is songwriting at its most intimate as it guides us through a sparse landscape of restless emotion. While the story of vulnerability is underpinned by Marten’s fragile, whispered vocals and delicate piano-led melodies, ironically the very ethereality of it all arguably carries a weight and gravitas greater than the work of her riotous contemporaries.

At only 16 years old, inevitably plaudits until now have largely come in the form of ‘amazing for her age’. Yet Marten is seemingly an amazing artist regardless of her age.

After all, what’s clear with ‘Birds’ is that there’s no youthful self-doubt here and this is not a talent that needs to be looked after meticulously. ‘Birds’ finds Billie Marten already in full flight.

Words by Chris Haywood

Tipped by Charlotte Holroyd from Bitter Sweet Symphonies