Cora’s debut EP Head Rush explores the roller coaster that is modern dating – the process of putting yourself in situations you know aren’t good for you long-term, all for the rush of dopamine you get in the moment. It’s about learning the difference between love and lust; navigating the constant fight between learning to set boundaries and standards for yourself, but slipping into natural human desires to feel wanted.
The EP captures the process of unlearning patterns rooted in self-sabotage in order to make room for real love and to be truly seen, something that many young people today are sure to relate to.
We asked Cora to take us through some of the songs and artists that inspired the release and her music.
Playlist
Sabrina Carpenter – decode
I think this song (and honestly the entirety of ‘emails i can’t send’) awoke my era of writing about ‘situationships’ and complicated dating dynamics. The lyrics are so relatable and I love that the overall message is one of reflection and moving on, being like ‘how on earth did I get here’ and ‘actually I don’t want to put up with this anymore’, which is a huge theme throughout my debut EP, ‘Head Rush’.
Olivia Dean – Password Change
I got really into Olivia Dean when I was just starting to write more at uni. Honestly, her entire catalog has influenced me loads, but if I had to pick just one, it has to be ‘Password Change’. I was inspired by her lyric “I wanna talk but the Football’s on” when writing ‘Football Field’. Dean’s music captures modern day dating so well and I feel like my EP does the same thing.
Sam Fender – Will We Talk?
At uni we were given this song to rearrange and I decided to strip it back to a more acoustic version which allowed me to really think about the story. Sam Fender lyrics are incredible (special mention for ‘My memories of you ring like tinnitus’). I love the storytelling of this one and the perspective it takes on hook-up culture in our generation.
Sophie May – High Life
The lyric “roll me up and smoke me in your living room” inspired the opening line to ‘Football Field’ – “I don’t smoke, but with you I’d happily burn a hole in the back of my throat”. Sophie May was another one I got into at uni so she’s hugely influenced my writing too! I love her album of ‘Half Songs’ also and that’s something I’d definitely want to create out of all my unfinished/short songs one day too!
Sabrina Carpenter – Coincidence
This was my fav song from the album from first listen. I love that it feels like it’s coming live from a pub, with people clapping along. The percussion and feel really inspired my song “Right Person, Wrong Country” – we even added some background noises from a pub to the track and recorded live claps and percussion to add to that feel.
Mumford & Sons, Baaba Maal – There Will Be Time
I’m a big Mumford & Sons fan, there’s something so uplifting about their music, I guess a mixture of the empowering lyrics and the way they tend to build up and release in the middle. There’s nothing more euphoric than listening to them on a run. This song especially just feels so healing and revitalising, probably due to Baaba Maal’s vocals and the authentic African influence too.
Yebba – October Sky
Listening to Yebba genuinely feels like floating through a sky filled of rainbows of music. This song feels like such a sweet spot between jazz and folk. I got into Yebba around the time I wrote No Easy Road and I feel like I was certainly influenced by her vocals. I honestly learn Yebba songs as vocal exercises instead of practicing scales…
Essence Martins – Hate No More
I love the repetitive bridge section on this and was really inspired to create something similar, which I ended up doing on the outro of Head Rush. I had the privilege of playing on the same line up as Essence Martins a few years ago and she’s so captivating live.
Jhené Aiko – Magic Hour
I got into meditative and mantra music during my A Levels and luckily stumbled across Aiko’s tiny desk of ‘Chilombo Medley’ while I was studying. I love how she effortlessly blends crystal healing bowls into her R&B influenced music and this inspired me to use Tibetan bowls with my music (check out my live show at St. Mary’s Church Putney on Youtube).
Cara Dillon – The Maid of Culmore
This song is so haunting and so old that no one knows who wrote it, which is one of my favourite things about it; it’s been passed down by ear over generations and generations. I got really into Irish trad when I began competing in the Scór na nÓg when I was about 14. I love the detailed storytelling of Irish folk and how each singer delivers it so uniquely, making it their own.
Ryan McMullan – Streets of New York (live version – written by Liam Reilly)
I first heard this song at the Gaeltacht in Machine Rabhartaigh when one of my teachers played it. I balled my eyes out. I love how captivating the lyrics are. This song is a masterclass in storytelling too, it draws you in to caring so deeply about someone you’ve never even met.
Taylor Swift – Fifteen
Fearless was the first CD I remember constantly listening to in the car. I knew every single song inside out and I was obsessed. I remember first seeing the music video for ‘Love Story’ on the TV at my granny’s and it made little me want to be a princess. ‘Fifteen’ followed me through and became one of the first songs I sang for an audience. You can say what you want about Swift but her story telling especially in this album is just unmatched.
