Emerging from the quiet landscapes of rural West Sussex, MJ Fretwell delivers an emotionally rich debut with ‘Tainted’, out now (March 21st). The bedroom-pop singer-songwriter invites listeners into her sonic world with a hauntingly tender first release—equal parts dreamy and devastating.
Produced by Luke Ashby (known for his work with Jamie Cooke, ilSelena, and Clem), ‘Tainted’ is a slow-burning ballad that blends textured acoustic guitar with ethereal vocal harmonies, building gradually into a soundscape of piano, strings, and bittersweet lyrical storytelling. Fretwell’s voice—delicate yet cutting—carries a quiet intensity as she reflects on the painful clarity of toxic love.
“Tainted is a love song about being stuck in a toxic cycle, unable to shake feelings for someone that you know doesn’t treat you well,” Fretwell explains. “I know more than one person choosing a relationship where they are suffering more than being happy—my past self included.”
The song evolves with purpose, introducing a tight beat and warm bass in the second verse that subtly shifts the momentum forward before tapering into a stripped, melancholic finish. It’s a confident debut that signals Fretwell’s knack for atmosphere and emotional depth.
Raised on a diet of pop greats like Michael Jackson and the Bee Gees, with later influences including Clairo and Olivia Rodrigo, Fretwell’s music finds its footing in that same emotional songwriting tradition—diary-like and unfiltered. Comparisons to Lola Young or early Billie Eilish aren’t far off, though Fretwell’s voice remains entirely her own.
Having studied at BIMM University, her musical path—like many—was interrupted by the pandemic. But the pause gave way to introspection and creative growth, culminating in the attic-studio birth of ‘Tainted’—a song four years in the making.
With her debut now released, MJ Fretwell enters the scene as a compelling new voice in the UK alt-pop landscape, offering introspective songwriting wrapped in lush, lo-fi production. One to watch.