credit Roj Ferman
SINGLES “PAPER PARADISE” AND “NIGHT AND DAY” WILL BE SYNCED ON NEW NORWEGIAN SHOW “RYKTR” (“RUMOURS”) FEATURING ON THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST TELEVISION CHANNEL
“Continuously showcasing her innate talent, touching lyrics, and captivating vocal prowess, Raats is gathering eager ears for her latest release.” – METAL Magazine
“This really is special” – Jess Iszatt, BBC Introducing London / BBC Radio 1
Belgium-born, London-based rising alt-pop star Margo Raats has released her highly anticipated EP, ‘Paper Paradise’. Continuing to take us on a journey into her ethereal world, the singer-songwriter reflects on her move to the big city.
Exploring themes of disposable love in a chaotic generation, to the disillusionment of living in London, “Paper Paradise” is an honest and raw account of Margo Raats’ twenty-something experience. Living in a time where accessibility is unlimited, dating has become more complex than ever. Forming deeper connections is often rare and instead commitment is discarded. Floating through the sounds of both “Ocean `Lights”, a song about finding love amidst the city night life and “Crying In The Taxi”, a nod to letting go and celebrating the release of crying and leaning in.
The lead single “Paper Paradise” is a sombre track that’s echoed with Margo Raats’ hypnotic vocal tone, “I wrote the song in my bedroom at night when I couldn’t sleep. I just pressed record on my phone and freestyled the song. I ended up pretty much keeping the original form from that night. It felt like it was something I needed to write and came so naturally to me. Love in the city can feel so disposable. Paper paradise is the perfect reflection of the overall theme of the EP”, she explained. Closing out the EP with “Finish Line”, Margo instantly draws you in with her emotionally baring yet delicate lyricism. Navigating accepting yourself and feeling deserving enough to receive love, “Finish Line” is a push of encouragement to listeners.
Speaking on the making of the EP, Margo Raats shared, “Paper Paradise is a collection of songs I wrote over the last year. I took the 6 songs to Dan and I finished the EP together. The overall theme of the 6-track EP is finding love in the city’s nightlife. I think we live in a time where love can feel so disposable and lonely, it sounds so beautiful and idealistic, almost old-school Disney like with some scary dark and sharp moments. Sonically I wanted to include this as much as possible. The artwork is taken in Bergen, and it’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I didn’t want the picture to be edited because it’s capturing nature in such a breathtaking way. Roj helped me to bring the vision alive and we played around, this picture was just a try out of me dancing. I think paper paradise, as disposable as it sounds, I wanted something real and something that felt alive.”
Born and raised in Belgium, now residing in the UK’s capital city of London, Margo Raats from a young age took influence from various house-hold names including The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and Fleetwood Mac. Taking her passion for music further, Margo started attending open mic nights as she worked long hours in a restaurant, balancing her dream of becoming an artist with her job. Margo made the courageous decision to study Songwriting at BIMM Institute in London, in order to refine her skills. Reputed for her alternative-pop sound, Margo Raats authentic lyricism and dreamy sonic landscapes has built a cult-like following who are always eager for more. Drawing from personal experiences from toxic relationships to the solitude of moving to a large city, the art pop singer-songwriter has paved a lane of her own with her unrivalled music.
Accumulating support from METAL Magazine, Kaltblut Magazine, Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds Pop’ and ‘New Music Friday BE’ playlists and many more, as well as Apple Music’s ‘New Music Daily’, ‘A-List Pop’, ‘Alt Pop’ and ‘New in Alternative’ lists. Jack Saunders featured Margo on his ‘Future Artists’ show on BBC Radio 1 as well as Mollie King on ‘Future Pop’. BBC Introducing London’s Jess Iszatt also showed support saying “This really is special”. Additionally Margo has received international radio support from BBC Radio 6, Amazing Radio, Cherie FM, Meer Radio, WBPR 91.1, and more. With many accolades already under her belt, Margo Raats supported Tom Grennan, Liam Bailey, and Berre on tour. Not to mention, additional performances at Barn On The Farm, 2000 Trees, Vill Vill Vest, and more. Continuing to prove why she’s a force to be reckoned with, single “Ocean Lights” has over 10,000 organic streams since release, bringing the campaign total to over 230k streams – Margo Raats is an artist to watch over the coming year.
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