It’s not unusual for musicians to repackage themselves when they feel their body of work doesn’t truly represent who they are. In essence, this is exactly what Cordelia Gartside has done; but hers is an extraordinary case.
Cordelia found early success uploading bedroom covers to YouTube, eventually going viral with her version of Alt-J’s ‘Breezeblocks’, which has over 1M views. Gradually, followers saw her output of nu-folk inspired orginals and covers come to a standstill. Until they were caught off-guard by a new video, an original song: ‘stranger in the water’.
This marked a transition in Cordelia's artistry. This wasn't so much a rebranding, but a total rebirth, and a glimpse of the truest version of Cordelia Gartside. Here was an artist who wouldn’t settle for anything less than authenticity. In 2023, Cordelia made music her full-time job. Within months she had recorded her debut album and was invited to play Glastonbury Festival.
Blended with influences of alt-indie and nostalgic rock, her forthcoming album — produced by Sean Woodlock (Cinematic Orchestra, Sports Team, Moin) — showcases what give Cordelia’s artistry its character: her free movement through ranges of emotion, lyrics like short stories, notes that hit like a sucker punch.
Cordelia’s first single ‘16xo’ is gorgeously uneasy, boasting an ethereal alternative musicianship that conjures bands such as Radiohead in their prime, while its successor, ‘27’, can only be described as a twisted Fleetwood Mac B-side.
It's a fact that when Cordelia Gartside starts to sing, the world listens. But now they’re listening to her self-titled “creep-rock”. And this is just the beginning.
"Proves that the voice can be one of the most powerful instruments out there" – Jon Kean, Louder Than War
"Compelling and engaging storytelling" – Melita Dennett, BBC Introducing
"Hauntingly beautiful" – Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio
"Raw lyrics and relatable themes that perfectly capture our shared human experience" – Karen Harding, Couch Mag