Skye Newman has had a truly nuts year. Two massive, Gold-certified singles that crashed the UK Top 20 – a first for a UK female solo artist in over a decade – should tell you all you need to know. Her performances have gone from the BBC Introducing stage to lighting up arena tours with Lewis Capaldi and Ed Sheeran. Now, with the release of her debut project, the six-track EP, 'SE9 Part 1', Newman is proving that her ascent is no fluke; she’s a generational talent rooted in the poetry and grit of South East London, after which the EP is named.
This project is a perfect snapshot of her journey so far, effortlessly blending the already iconic hits with three brand-new tracks. The established singles, 'Hairdresser', 'Family Matters', and 'Out Out', are already cornerstones of her sound: smoky, soul-infused vocals laid over surprisingly simple, yet potent, production. She manages to balance intimacy and raw honesty in a way few artists can, pulling from her influences like Amy Winehouse and Eminem to create something truly her own.
The breakthrough success of 'Family Matters' wasn’t down to chance. It’s a gut-punch of a track where she lays her life bare, singing lines like, "Raised on pure dysfunction / but sleep I’ll never lose." It’s an unflinching look at complex family life, summarised perfectly by her observation: "I can tell you about me, but you won’t understand."
The new tracks are just as compelling. The opener, 'FU & UF', is already plastered across social media thanks to pre-release snippets. It starts with a minimalist, piano-led beat that eventually swells into a pop masterpiece. It’s a classic Newman move: letting her incomparable voice carry the weight of her lyrics about a toxic lover. Then there's 'Smoke Rings', a stunning piano ballad about remembering lost passion. When she sings, "All of the smoke rings take me back there / When I did it with you," her voice and the piano move together like true partners, proving that synths and fancy instrumentation aren’t needed when you possess a voice this pure and expressive.
Newman’s strength lies in her fearless refusal to hold back, whether she's calling out a disappointing friend in 'Hairdresser' or navigating personal battles. This debut EP is a powerful statement. 'SE9 Part' 1 is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a mission statement from an artist who speaks from the heart and is already redefining what it means to be a UK chart-topper. This isn't just where she’s from; it’s a launchpad for where she’s headed.
Stream the new EP above, and be sure to connect with Skye today on Instagram and TikTok!
