As an artist who harnessed defiance to become one of Britain’s most exciting alt-pop singer-songwriters, girli ’s music is bursting with uncompromising themes and DIY cool. Last year saw her take some huge leaps forward, especially with her acclaimed single, Better Undressed. Now, we’re looking at an incoming selection of immaculately crafted tunes, crafted around infectious melodies with an unwavering punk attitude.
What began as a scrappy experiment in self-expression has since matured into a distinct identity and a selection of songs which feels increasingly vibrant and important. Yet, girli retains the raw emotional charge that first drew listeners in. Her songs are unapologetically queer, occasionally vulnerable, and often disarmingly frank. Whether talking about heartbreak, identity, or personal triumphs, this is music exploring the dislocation and intensity of young adulthood.
Perhaps it’s a willingness to reveal messy truths that’s seeing her audience blossom from a niche, underground following to a collective stretching across Europe and North America that has grown up alongside her.
While Britain’s pop landscape is fairly crowded, girli’s wry, colourful, knowingly chaotic aesthetic has made her stand out. A blend of punk, hyper-pop and indie cool, it’s not possible for a playlist algorithm to pigeonhole her. As both a provocateur and a comfort-provider, she’s confronting the alienation of modern life with enormously catchy tunes and some accessible, “girl-next-door” energy.
As girli prepares to enter a new creative chapter, we caught up with her to find out more.
Where’s your head right now? It seems like 2026 is going to be a substantial year for you. Are you serene or thinking: ‘Let’s go!’?
A combination of shitting bricks and being really fucking determined.
We’re LOVING the new single, Slap On The Wrist, which deserves to be massive. Is there a trick to creating something unique that instantly resonates? Is it a matter of the right chord progression, or just finding a lyrical hook that works? Is it magic?
I have no idea. Tell me when you find out!
You’re working on your third album. Do you enter the studio with a tight concept of what you want it all to sound like, or is it more of an exploratory process?
I have OCD, so I’m not a “go with the flow” songwriter – I’m very methodical, and I’m always prepared before I go into the studio. I start with a song title/concept, some lyrics I’ve already written, and an idea of a musical direction, and then my collaborators throw ideas in, which make it exploratory.
Many of your songs address emotional turbulence. Do you lift from personal experience directly, or are some stories heightened for dramatic effect? Do you set limits on what to share?
I have no limits; I’m the least mysterious person you’ll ever meet. I’d tell my life story to someone I met in line at the supermarket. It’s all personal, but some songs are about a collective experience; Slap On The Wrist is meant to be about the pain and rage of so many women.
Lyrically, identity and autonomy often come up. Is there a conscious effort to explore these subjects, or is it you expressing your inner truth as an artist?
I’m a gay woman, so my freedoms are constantly in the hands of stupid old men in politics. That frustration definitely finds its way into my songs.
As visibility grows, so will public expectation. Are you comfortable with being viewed as a role model?
I think so. I definitely understand the responsibility of using my platform for good.
How do you tread the line between authenticity and the demands of being a voice for others?
I suppose activism feels like an inherent part of my art and my online presence, so speaking up for things I believe in is authentic to me. I am damn good at self-care though; I’ll happily turn my phone off for the weekend if it’s ever too much.
The music industry is in a state of flux, with various challenges on all sides. Do you think there’s still space for artists who pack complexity into their work, or is everyone being encouraged to dumb down to compete with a barrage of AI slop?
I think the AI garbage is actually making fans hungrier than ever for real artists. Proper music fans aren’t dumb; they want songs that were made by humans, not robots.
Has your fanbase taught you anything that has gone on to impact your practice?
To be bolder, weirder, louder.
Has becoming a rising star changed your relationship with music? Are you confident in your abilities now, or is there still a nagging voice which drives you to try harder?
If by ‘nagging voice’ you mean imposter syndrome, anxiety, self-doubt, those are still there, yup! But I’m also more comfortable and surer of myself and my songs. It’s a weird tug of war between the two mental states.
What does 2026 have in store for girli? Or what does girli have in store for 2026?
Lots of songs and lots of opinions.
