Sometimes it is like meeting an old friend when we are introduced to new music by an artist we already know – such is the case with Larkly. We spoke to Larkly in 2024, around the time she released her debut single “Down With My Dress”, (I have placed the video for this at the end of this piece) and we have kept watching as things have continued to grow with subsequent releases “Just Amy” and “Monster.”
She told us:
Larkly: “I would say that every one of my songs has some personal connection, but then I mix it up with other things, but there is always a message there within the song. Also, I think that my second profession alongside music is doing documentaries and that is always a huge pool of experiences, people you meet and things that you learn that also get put into the lyrics too.”
This single comes after a short musical hiatus, but it was great to see her message us again and I happily picked this one up ahead of its August 28, 2026 release date.
I will share the press release with you first:
An evening with LARKLY is like an evening with a close friend: you pour out your heart, and by the end, you head home feeling uplifted and full of positive energy.
LARKLY blends irony, feminist empowerment, and personal stories into a groovy indie-pop sound. Her vocals have jazzy vibes, airy intimate passages, and rock-infused outbursts.
LARKLY writes her songs primarily in English, though occasionally in German. Musically, she performed in various ensembles – ranging from swing to ska-punk – before finding the courage to pursue her own music.
Her debut EP was released in 2024. In 2027, a full-length debut album will follow – a project made possible in part by her fans who supported her crowdfunding campaign.
“No Chill Girl” is the first single from the upcoming album – and comes almost two years after her debut EP.
The song is an act of liberation: it is about no longer making oneself small for the sake of others, but instead embracing one’s rough edges.
Musically, the track is equally authentic, blending the emotional intensity of Olivia Rodrigo with the feminist message of Paris Paloma, all complemented by clear, jazzy vocals and retro sounds.
My Review-
For this track we have Larkly, the barefooted jazz club singer. The song is jazz with a pop edge, blending and moving between the two. “Holding my breath to seem as cute as I look,” sings Larkly, with that hint of an inward smile.
The song contemplates love when “she’s gone” and I enjoyed the listen. I would bet it sounds very good in a live environment too – there is this little lean towards a clap-along moment in the latter stage of the single which feels as though it could work particularly well with an audience.
It is very radio friendly. At first I was thinking breakfast radio, but then I decided it was more a song for the evening – or even a walk along the beach in the evening. There is something easy and relaxed about the way Larkly delivers the song, while the jazz influences stop it from becoming just another straightforward pop track.
Essentially, I enjoyed this, and I am pleased Larkly is back.
When Larkly said to us:
“I saw I had a talent for telling stories – my stories and those of others. I went to documentaries where I could take the time to tell the stories of others; it doesn’t have to be news but it has to be where someone has something interesting to share…”
she could almost have been describing what she does here. “No Chill Girl” is another story, told through music rather than a documentary camera. It takes something personal, gives it a groove, adds a little jazz, a little attitude and a sense of liberation, and turns it into something that feels very much her own.
There is no reinvention of the wheel here – nor does there need to be. “No Chill Girl” is a warm, confident return from an artist who clearly has plenty more stories to tell. If this is the first taste of Larkly’s 2027 album, I will be interested to hear what comes next.
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Stream Music from Larkly here
By Anna-Louise Burgess
Love what we do? Rock the Joint Magazine is completely free — no paywalls, no ads ruining the read — just passionate music journalism for 1,000+ readers a day. If you enjoy hanging out with us, please consider hitting the “Support Us” button and buying us a coffee on Ko-Fi. Even a small donation genuinely helps keep the magazine running, lets us publish more features, and reminds us that people value independent music writing. Remember, we work hard for you here!