Shygirl, the artist known for club anthems and bold lyrics, has taken a surprising turn with her second album, Swallow!. The singer and DJ, whose real name is Blane Muise, has traded some of her signature hard-hitting beats for a more stripped-back, indie-influenced sound. But don't worry, fans: the electronic energy that made her famous is still present, just evolved.

A New Direction

In a recent interview, Shygirl explained that the change stems from a desire for authenticity. "I've learned over the 10 years I've been making music to have this confidence and to not be afraid of failure," she said. "The big part of starting this record was wanting to have natural instrumentation and not feel like that was barred from me." The album, which dropped on Friday, features guitar strums, heartfelt songwriting, and a dreamy haze, giving it an indie edge while still retaining the relentless pulse of her earlier work.

Shygirl attributes this shift to "the nostalgia of the indie sound" and a wish to embrace the angst and sounds of her teenage years. Long-time producers Karma Kid and Casey MQ were initially surprised by her new direction but trusted her vision. "It's not like I changed overnight," she insists. "In fact, it was because I was the girl I was in all the other songs that I became who I am now."

Evolution, Not Reinvention

The album's artwork, featuring a chick hatching from an egg, symbolises rebirth, and Shygirl cleared her Instagram feed before the rollout, signalling a new chapter. But she sees this as an evolution rather than a reinvention. "I would hate to repeat myself," she says. "I would only wish to pick up the same tool if I felt like I had grown somewhat or had a renewed expertise for it."

Tracks like Live the Life You Like showcase this growth, with a gritty bassline and a manipulated riff that echoes a klaxon, which she describes as giving off "punk energy". Leaning into this side of her sound has made her excited to tour the record, starting with Europe in March. "I've got a band now," she reveals. "I work with a drummer and a multi-instrumentalist and sometimes a bassist. It's just so fun to share the stage and be so inspired."

Part of a Larger Trend

Shygirl is not alone in this shift. Her close friend Charli XCX embraced a rockier, guitar-driven style on her latest album, Music, Fashion, Film. Other artists like PinkPantheress and Fred Again have also spoken about bringing indie influences into electronic music. Shygirl sees this as "a reflection of what is going on in the world" and a desire for something grounding. "What is more grounding or more truthful than knowing exactly where a sound comes from?" she asks.

For Shygirl, genre matters less than connection. "Regardless if they like it or they hate it, I want someone to feel something," she says. "To be apathetic to my music would be the biggest insult to me." With Swallow!, she's inviting listeners to feel something new while staying true to her artistic evolution.