A3ReleasesNov 5, 20261 min readEdited by William Boles

Shygirl's second album "Swallow!" arrives Friday via Because Music

The follow-up to her Mercury-shortlisted debut "Nymph" swaps some club edge for indie songwriting.

Shygirl releases her second album, "Swallow!", on Friday, November 6, through Because Music. It follows her 2022 debut "Nymph", which was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize.

Karma Kid and Casey MQ are credited as producers. Press material describes a record that meshes indie songwriting with the electronic sound she came from, inspired by new love.

Three singles have preceded it: "Lucky (hymn)", "Alyse" and "Mantra". One source puts the tracklist at 11 songs.

The Lockgroove take

Shygirl is trading the dancefloor's armour for something more exposed.

After a debut built on bold club production, a record framed around romance and acoustic-leaning songwriting is a real change of register. It is a risky move for an artist whose reputation rests on attitude.

Our fair opinion: the best of these genre pivots keep the personality and change the setting. Her voice and humour are the constant, so the shift should feel like growth rather than a costume.

Put this on

01
Shygirl, "Little Bit" (Nymph, 2022)
A good reminder of the debut's sound before hearing where she has moved.
Play on Apple Music
02
Shygirl, "TASTY" (ALIAS, 2020)
The early signature track that built her name.
Play on Apple Music
03
Shygirl, "BAWDY" (ALIAS, 2020)
The same early era at its most swaggering, a useful contrast with the new record.
Play on Apple Music