London-based singer-songwriter Lydia the Bard has released her long-awaited debut album, The Woods, a 12-track folk-rock odyssey set to arrive this October. Known for her cinematic storytelling and commanding vocals, Lydia has grown from a YouTube sensation with over 650,000 subscribers into one of the most promising new voices in modern folk-rock.
Building her career from humble beginnings, Lydia first captured attention in 2021 with heartfelt fantasy-inspired covers and character-driven performances. Over the past few years, her artistry has evolved into original music that blurs genre boundaries and champions fearless self-expression.
Her 2024 debut EP Afraid of Quiet became a breakout success, amassing more than 8 million streams worldwide and establishing her as a distinctive force within the indie and folk scenes. Now, The Woods marks a defining next step — an album that balances the intimate and the epic, pairing lyrical vulnerability with anthemic, cathartic energy.
Co-written with longtime collaborator Ben Tomalin, the record draws inspiration from acts like The Crane Wives, Florence and the Machine, Yaelokre, and The Decemberists, weaving together elements of folklore, rebellion, and emotional release. “The Woods is a record about strength through struggle,” Lydia explains. “It’s about finding your voice in the chaos — about shouting into the storm and realising you’re not shouting alone.”
At the heart of the album is its title track and lead single, ‘The Woods’. A fierce, cinematic anthem, it tells the story of a young girl leading a rebellion in a dystopian world ravaged by greed and political decay. “The Woods is an angry, energetic folk tale about a dystopian future where billionaires have destroyed the world,” Lydia says. “For me, it’s a cautionary tale and I hope it holds a mirror up to those who allow injustice to happen for the sake of profit.”
Produced by Peter Miles, the single begins with a delicate guitar progression before exploding into a storm of percussion and layered vocals, balancing raw emotion with refined craft. The accompanying animated music video, premiering exclusively on Lydia’s YouTube channel, promises a visual feast for fans who have followed her Villain series and original songs that have collectively drawn millions of views.
From its haunting ballads to its defiant battle cries, The Woods captures Lydia the Bard’s transformation from viral artist to full-fledged storyteller. It’s an album that invites listeners not just to hear her music, but to feel part of a movement.
With her first headline show planned for later this year, Lydia is poised to bring The Woods to life on stage – a fitting milestone in a career that continues to grow with momentum, authenticity, and heart.
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