Kings Elliot was the newcoming talent on everyone’s lips when she burst onto the scene late last year. With a soul-bearing, punchy pen and her classic pop-noir sound in tow, the Swiss-born, London-based star was quick to rack up over a million streams with her effortlessly woozy debut “I’m Getting Tired Of Me”, enchanting fans across the globe with honest takes on mental illness and a message of hope that would resound through the hardest of times.

Kicking off the new year with her follow-up track “Dancing Alone”, Elliot’s new single is its own wistful being entirely. The jewellery box-Esque production is full of subtle echoes and classic chords, sort of like those “but you are in a bathroom at a party” edits but for the ballrooms of Bridgerton. Bringing this all together is Elliot’s delicate delivery, acting as a kind of internal monologue chock-full of romance and longing. As the song eventually tiptoes into silence, Elliot offers us one final sentiment: “But falling together is better than dancing alone,” ripping our heartstrings clean from our chest in the process.

“Holding together any kind of relationship when you struggle with your mental health is immensely challenging – for you and the person involved,” Kings says of her sophomore single. “’Dancing Alone’ is me preparing someone for how hard it’s going to be, and walking them through every step of ‘the dance’ they will have to learn in order to get through the darkest days.”

We caught up with the admirable artist below, delving into musical heroes and putting the personal into song. Take a look…

Hi Kings Elliot– how have you been during this uncertain time? How has it impacted your music and creativity?
The first few months I fell into a hopelessness that I found very hard to climb out of. Once I started to function again, I released my first song and that gave me the fuel to keep functioning. I actually have covid right now and I’m laying in bed sick answering these questions – but this is breaking up the boredom so I’m very grateful for the entertainment!

Where did you grow up and how did this influence you sonically? Who are your musical heroes?
I grew up in a small town in Switzerland right next to a lake, which was quite magical thinking about it now that I live in a city! I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from Disney movies from the 40s/50s that my mum used to put on for me growing up. I love the soundtracks and their eerie melancholia.

How would you describe your genre?
It’s pop, just not the kind you dance to, more the kind you have a cry to. I guess it’s all just very honest and I want my songs to sound like they’re sweeping you into another world, some beautifully tragic fantasy world.

Congratulations on our new track “Dancing Alone” – what was it inspired by?
I’ve always struggled with my mental health, and holding together any kind of relationship has been very tough on me (and others!). ‘Dancing Alone’ is me preparing someone and walking them through every step of the metaphorical dance they will have to learn in order to get through the darkest days with me. Cheery, I know!

Do you have a favourite lyric or line that you hope will resonate with listeners?
“Spinning us round til we both hit the ground is the only move I know”

You’ve always been open to exploring personal experiences such as mental health in your music – why is this important to you?
It’s the main thing I’ve battled with my entire life, it’s shaped me and everything I do, so I don’t feel I have a choice. I’ve tried therapy but I still find writing more useful and also cheaper!

How does it feel releasing new music when most of the world is in lockdown/everything feels so uncertain – what do you hope your music will bring?
I hope my music brings comfort. If I can make one person feel less alone with their suffering, then what I do makes sense to me.

What’s the most unusual place you pull inspiration from?
I did write a song about my pet rabbits (who I love more than life itself) so nowhere is actually that unusual to me.

What’s next for you? What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Releasing more songs, maybe adopting more fur-babies and hopefully being able to meet and hug the people who have been listening to my music…hoping we will get there this year.