Listen: Molly Beanland – “Real Life”

Molly Beanland is one of the most electrifying new acts to have emerged this year. Following on from January’s impossibly hooky “Night Dreams”, the London popstress returns with another addictive, 80s-inspired gem in “Real Life”.

Above starry-eyed synths and full-bodied acoustics, Beanland treats us again to her playful, octave-hopping vocal that would make the even the likes of Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins) feel a little rattled. The listener has so much confident in her vocal buoyancy – snaking itself around dark atmospherics, pin-sharp drum machines and stunning multilayers – that every second is an aural pleasure dome, created not just for immediate effect but lasting inspiration. Certainly, “Real Life” it far too clever to stand alone as feral power balladry, instead leaning towards more masterful, new age dream-pop.

“Real Life” is released on 7 April (pre-order here) and will appear on Beanland’s debut EP, Night Dreams, out on 12 May. She headlines the Sebright Arms, London on 24 March.