Laura-mae is an indie-pop singer-songwriter from Golden Bay. Betsy is her first release. Although she’s been around awhile, having competed in Smokefree Rockquest and season two of NZ X-Factor, after taking a break from music to focus on her study, Laura-Mae kicked things off again with a nationwide tour in early 2020, before the release of this sweet and upbeat debut single.
The song begins with a fast-paced guitar strum, the drums then come in shortly before Laura-mae’s striking vocals soar into the first verse. The song emerged from flat-mate mayhem, she quips “don’t worry about the alarm” and sings about the tension of sharing a room. The chorus is catchy, the harmonies velvety and melody infectious. The last verse begins at a slower pace, adding some variety and space to the track. Overall, Betsy has a fun, summery vibe, reminiscent of early Jamie McDell.
A notable first release, more polished production could elevate future singles. Betsy is easy listening and a nice change to the common heartbreak narrative. Keep an eye out for more from Laura-mae of Golden Bay, she’s promised a few more singles this year.
