WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS - PHOTOGRAPHY ELLIS ANNE
With November November-ing, we all need a bit of motivation to get us up in the morning, and here to help is Manchester based pop sensation Beth Mckenzie with her new, upbeat single ‘The Cult’, out today. The track, which is the opener and lead single of her EP, sees Beth poke fun at her rigid, outdated upbringing and feels a lot like a (much needed) release of pent up emotion. The 22 year old rising star hopes that the track can act as a sense of solace to those in a similar circumstance, as she states “If you relate to this song… I want it to be a sign for you to consider walking away”.
It’s not the first time that Beth, who’s sound has been likened to that of Brit pop stars Lily Allen and Paloma Faith, has used songwriting to help her process tough personal situations. Her track “Don’t Tell Your Boyfriend” sees her deconstruct an ex’s internalised homophobia - something that quickly gained attention on TikTok and led to her being signed with Handwritten Records in Las Vegas.
Another particularly notable track on the EP is “It Won’t Always Feel So Heavy” which is a stripped back, tender song written about the moments when you let self doubt win and you fail to see the progress you're making. Lyrics like “What happens if I can’t pull myself together?” are what makes Beth so popular - she speaks openly and candidly about universal struggles.
Beth is here to shake things up - she’s unapologetically herself and she’s ready to fight for what she stands for. As a powerful woman in an all-female band and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, her goal is to be the role model she never had when she was growing up. And it might just be the only “cult” we’re willing to follow.
