We think that Somerset singer-songwriter Theya is great, so we asked her to put together a list of her ten favourite albums:
1. Bastille – Bad Blood: This is probably a typical ‘favourite album’ for a lot of people, but I really do love it. I had it on repeat when it first came out, and I tried my best to cover every song. My favourite track from the album is Laura Palmer – I love the massive sound from the layers of instrumentation in the chorus, and it inspired me to write my new single All Things Get Easier. I wanted to write a song with a really powerful chorus and to include lots of different instruments, including a string section and a big drum section. I also wanted to include a lot of harmonies, like in Pompeii,and for the song to have that one really catchy line.
2. Nina Nesbitt – Peroxide: I’ve always been a big fan of Nina Nesbitt. I love her style of writing – it’s so easy to listen to, her songwriting is light-hearted, and every song is about those really current issues that everyone can understand. I downloaded the album as soon as it came out, but to be honest I only listened to the ‘popular’ songs for quite a long time. The Hardest Part then popped up on my playlist, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I love how simple and emotionally raw it is, and it really made me think about how I wanted All Things Get Easier to turn out. My new single is about something that’s very close to my heart, and after listening to The Hardest Part I realised how important it is to present that personal touch to the listeners.
3. Gabrielle Aplin – English Rain: This is such a beautiful album. The style of songwriting is something that really inspires me – I love the way her voice comes across as being so gentle, and I really envy the way that she took Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s The Power of Love and turned it into a song that you would believe she had written herself. My favourite track from English Rain is Salvation, mainly because it’s the one that I have to turn up to full volume and sing along to whenever it comes on in my car! I also love the instrumental and string section in the middle of the song, as it’s just so powerful and different to her other songs.
4. Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope: I started listening to Regina Spektor’s music a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t until I started writing my new single that I really started to enjoy her songwriting. The majority of the songs on this album are piano based, so this album really gave me lots of ideas about how to initially write and build upon a simple piano ballad. Regina’s voice is so unique, and it’s incredibly relaxing – it’s definitely my Sunday album!
5. Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe: I never thought I would enjoy this style of music, let alone take inspiration from it – however, I’m willing to admit that I was wrong, and I can’t get enough of Chvrches now! I love the fact that it’s a female fronted album, yet it’s got a totally different sound to what you’d expect from a normal indie-pop band. I love the album’s electronic elements, and even though her voice is quite gentle the production makes it sound absolutely huge. My favourite song from the album (and maybe one of my top ten songs of all time) is The Mother We Share. I have this on repeat when I’m at the gym as it makes me feel so energised!
6. London Grammar – If You Wait. Like Regina Spektor, the majority of this album is piano-based, only this time there are even more electronic instruments and effects. This is by no means a bad thing, as I think that the electronic element of the production really adds to the songwriting. Again, I love the fact that this is a female fronted group, and that the music and style is so unique. I think the songwriting style is quite similar to my own, and therefore this album really helped me to discover the different things I could do with my simple piano ballads. My favourite song on this album is Strong, as i love the sound of Hannah Reid’s voice on it – it literally gives me goosebumps.
7. Lorde – Pure Heroine: First things first, Royals has to be one of the catchiest songs ever written. The main reason I love this album so much is because each song is so easy to relate to, and this is something that I think is really important when writing. If people can relate to your song they’re able to really connect with it, and I really wanted people to be able to connect with my new single All Things Get Easier.
8. Tom Odell – Long Way Down: I love this album. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve played it, but it’s the only CD I actually have in my car! Again, like the majority of the albums that I enjoy listening to, Long Way Down is quite similar to my own style. This album is mainly piano based, and it’s actually quite simple.Grow Old With Me is my favourite song from the album, as it somehow manages to be beautifully simple and ridiculously emotional at the same time. I love the use of the different instruments and vocal harmonies, and how some of the tracks are left to be stripped down – I find that this really allows the listener to concentrate on the songwriting. The pure passion in Another Love is particularly moving, and even though you’re just listening to a recording you still feel like you’re physically and emotionally connected to both the song and to Tom Odell.
9. Johnny Cash – The Man Come Around: I can’t really describe why I love this album so much, but every song moves me. It’s definitely one of my favourites – it always used to be on in the background when I was young, so I guess I’ve kind of grown up with it.I Hung My Head is my favourite song from this album, as the story is so vivid. You can really feel the emotions of the writer, and this is something I find with all of Johnny Cash’s writing. I love it.
10. George Ezra – Wanted on Voyage: Who doesn’t love this album? I adore his voice, and I love the album’s country twist – it’s so modern and fun. My favourite song from this album is Blame It On Me. It’s one of the few covers I play live, as it really gets people up and moving. The country style is have a go at in the future.
Theya’s new single All Things Get Easier is out on the 26th of January:Â
