Laura Musgrave is an artist from northern England who is winning new fans in the U.S. and Australia with her infectious power pop. Laura’s new single “Play Again” has the energetic appeal of New York’s Charly Bliss and UK group Pale Waves.
Musgrave is no stranger to ballads, having garnered 2023 Single of the Year honors from the International Singer-Songwriters Association. Her song “Anytime” sounds like a bonus track from Taylor Swift’s Midnights album.
We caught up with the artist to get the inside scoop on her latest single:
“Play Again” is a real rock banger, quite different from some of your previous releases. It reminds me of Liz Phair and even the New York rock band Charly Bliss. Who are some of your favorite rock influences?
Oh, there are so many! I especially love ’90s and early 2000s rock, which Olivia Rodrigo also pulls a lot of inspiration from. Paramore would definitely be high on the list, especially their album Brand New Eyes. Alanis Morissette is an all-time favorite of mine, and she has that great ability to straddle pop and rock. More recently, artists like Taylor Acorn, Avril Lavigne, and Pale Waves’ album Unwanted have influenced my sound. They also draw on early 2000s rock influences, which feels quite full-circle.
“Play Again” is a song about resilience. What’s the backstory on the song? What prompted you to write it?
I got pretty sick a few years back and couldn’t do anything for weeks. The only thing I could do was rest, and hope my body would heal. I was trying to stay in a positive mindset and be patient so I could hopefully get back to doing what I loved. The experience made me reflect on those moments in life where you hit a tough time and have to find your strength again. ‘Play Again’ is about that turning point when you realize your fight is coming back. You’re determined to face whatever challenges life has in store, even if you’re still figuring out how to pick yourself back up.
This track is fueled by “girl power” because your co-writer is Emma Gale and your producer is Becky Willard. What was it like working with them in the studio?
They’re both fantastically talented! I’m lucky to have worked with them both for years now, so we know each other quite well. It definitely helps that you’re on the same page when it comes to figuring out how the song should be shaped. Emma’s endless creativity helped us clear a few roadblocks in the songwriting process, and Becky has such a talent for bringing a song to life. Her production of ‘Play Again’ sounded even better than the version I had in my head! I really appreciate them both.
What are your musical plans for 2025 with regard to touring and recording?
I’m currently writing new music for 2025, which is really exciting! I can’t wait to record and share some more tunes. I’m rehearsing my existing songs at the moment, and planning out my next year. That’s always fun, because it gives you the chance to look back at the previous year too and celebrate the wins. 2025 is really starting to take shape, and I’m looking forward to sharing more news soon.
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