Penny has released her debut EP ‘My Secret Powers’.
Out now via Empty Streets Records / Because Music, the six-track release takes listeners on a dream-pop journey through her relationships, queerness, and her mental health journey.
Speaking of the EP Penny said: “I’m so excited to be able to share these songs with everybody, but it still feels kind of daunting. Writing these songs helped me through a dark time in my life, and I hope listening to them does the same for someone else.”
To celebrate her EP release, Penny shared with us 5 tracks that influenced ‘My Secret Powers’ EP.
Mild High Club – Undeniable | Listen on Spotify
I used to rinse this song so much when I was writing the EP. I think the melody is so sweet, and when I hear it, it gives me the same feeling as when I get into a perfectly warm bath. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of this song!
Frankie Cosmos – Korean Food | Listen via Spotify
The opening synth in this song gives me shivers every time I hear it. I think its soooo dreamy! I wanted to try and get a similar vibe to this song throughout the whole of ‘My Secret Powers’, as I think it’s a really special love song, but with kinda haunting bits to it too.
Destiny’s Child – Girl | Listen via Spotify
I grew up listening to Destiny’s Child with my amazing sister, Ruth. This song is one I revisit whenever I’m feeling a little bit deflated within myself, and I was listening to it a lot at the time of writing ‘Cauchemar’. It’s the ultimate heartbreak anthem, hehe!
Beach Boys – Caroline, No | Listen via Spotify
If I’m struggling to figure out a harmony for a song, I always turn to Brian Wilson. Although, in my opinion, ‘Caroline, No’ is one of the more simple Beach Boys songs, it feels like a hole is being ripped out of my heart every time I hear it, but in the most comfortable way possible. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I wanted to get a similar kind of feel with my song ‘Table With Flowers’, so this song was definitely a big influence for that.
Faye Webster – Jonny | Listen via Spotify
I love Faye Webster’s style of writing, her lyrics feel simple and accessible, but her melodies and way of singing give her songs a kind of complicated air about them. I find all her songs extremely relatable, and I wanted to convey the same simplicity and relatability throughout my EP. I know that is something that the audience have to decide for themselves, but if I could make someone else feel like how I did when I heard ‘Jonny’ for the first time, that’d be magical.
You can stream Penny’s debut EP ‘My Secret Powers’ via Spotify below: