Australia seems full of strong female voices at the moment, from the commercial acts like Jessica Mauboy and Dami Im to more alternative artists like Montaigne and Camp Cope. Ayla is another name we can add to the list. She’d impressed me with her singles, but I feel I’ve got a deeper appreciation of her music on listening to her new EP Let’s Talk Monday.
The first track, “Shallow End,” drew me in immediately. It’s such a strong start, with soaring vocals and driving drums. “Like the Other Kids” speaks to anyone who’s felt they didn’t fit in. The next track “Cry Honey Cry” is smouldering and oh so cool.
After some big, bold numbers, the delicate “Used Furniture” helps give Let’s Talk Monday some balance. This delicate portrait of a relationship may be my favourite song on the album. It’s just exquisite. “Porcelain Doll” is a powerful song about the struggle of moving on. The lyrics are so on point here. “Too Cool for June” is such a beautiful way to end the EP, a bittersweet tale of resignation of lost love, wistful but wise.
There’s a quiet power about what Ayla does. Her tone is so rich, pure and haunting. I could listen to her sing the phone book, but the personal, intimate songs on this EP are much better than that. She bares her soul through this collection of songs, and that makes her work so compelling.
Let’s Talk Monday is out now. Ayla is currently launching it with shows around the country. You can see her at Melbourne’s Penny Black on January 19 or Sydney’s OAF Gallery Bar on January 20.
Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado