Jump to content

Girl Ray

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Girl Ray
Girl Ray's Prestige album launch show at Rough Trade East, 4 August 2023
Background information
Years active2015–present
LabelsMoshi Moshi
MembersPoppy Hankin
Iris McConnell
Sophie Moss
Websitewww.girlray.co.uk

Girl Ray are a British indie rock band formed in 2015[1] in North London. The band comprises Poppy Hankin, Iris McConnell and Sophie Moss. They have released three studio albums: Earl Grey (2017), Girl (2019) and Prestige (2023). Their debut album Earl Grey was named Stereogum and Under the Radar's "Album of the Week", and made Under the Radar's top debut albums and top 100 albums of 2017 lists.

History

[edit]

Formation and debut album (2015–2017)

[edit]

Poppy Hankin, Iris McConnell and Sophie Moss met as students at Fortismere School in Muswell Hill, North London.[2] The trio began playing music together in their first year of sixth form,[3] at age 16[4] and for a year played small gigs under different names, including "Sturdy Shelf" and "Ghosty Mo"[5] before settling on the name "Girl Ray" (a play on the surrealist artist, Man Ray).[2][3]

In 2016, Girl Ray released their first official single, "I'll Make This Fun"[3] and recorded a session for Marc Riley's BBC Radio 6 Music show.[6] The band's second single, "Trouble" had a limited 7" physical release through the Moshi Moshi Records Singles Club on 25 November that year.[7]

Prior to the release of their debut album, the band toured as support for Haley McCallum, Our Girl, Slow Club, Ezra Furman, Porches, and Teleman.[2][7][8] In March 2017, the trio played the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in Glasgow[9] and later that year made appearances at the Green Man and End of the Road festivals.[2]

Earl Grey, the group's debut album, was released on 4 August 2017 by Moshi Moshi. The album was named "Album of the Week by Stereogum[4] and Under the Radar[10] and received positive reviews from critics.[11][12][13] It placed third on Under the Radar's top 15 debut albums of 2017[14] and 38th on their overall top albums of 2017 list.[15]

Girl (2017–2019)

[edit]

Girl Ray's first single post-Earl Grey was "(I Wish I Were Giving You a Gift) This Christmas", released on 8 December 2017 as 7-inch vinyl.[16] The following year, "The Way We Came Back" was released, a song Hankin originally wrote when she was 16.[17]

For the band's second album, Girl, Girl Ray moved away from the twee influences of their debut release,[18] with a more pop and R&B sound.[19][20][21] Rapper PSwuave featured on the song "Takes Time".[22] Ash Workman produced the album,[20] which was recorded at Electric Beach Studios in Margate.[23] Girl was released on 22 November 2019 via Moshi Moshi Records and received mixed reviews from critics.[19][20][24]

Girl Ray supported Metronomy on their UK tour in autumn 2019.[25]

Prestige (2019–2023)

[edit]

Work began on Girl Ray's third album, Prestige, whilst on tour in Europe in early 2020.[26] Hankin recorded demos after binging the TV series Pose, which inspired the album's disco sound and aesthetic,[26][27] and the album was written during lockdown.[28]

Whilst working on Prestige, Girl Ray released several song covers.[29][30] In 2021, the band covered "Murder on the Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, with the proceeds from the release going to Hackney Night Shelter[31][30] and in 2022 they covered "Another Try" by Haim for Under the Radar's Cover of Covers album.[29]

Prestige was released on 4 August 2023 by Moshi Moshi.[32] The album was co-produced by Ben H Allen[27] and was recorded in Allen's Atlanta studio.[33] Al Doyle and Joe Goddard of Hot Chip also produced on the album.[34] Critics reviewed the album positively.[35][36][37][38] To celebrate the album's release, Girl Ray DJ'd a club night at the George Tavern.[27]

In October 2023, Girl Ray released the single "Hurt So Bad".[34] The song was written during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside Prestige, when the band considering a house sound for the album.[34]

Girl Ray set out on a UK and Europe tour in November 2023.[28]

Musical style

[edit]

Girl Ray have been compared to Carole King,[39] Haim,[40] Pavement,[11] Gorky's Zygotic Mynci,[11] The Raincoats,[4] Courtney Barnett[10] and This Is the Kit.[10] Hankin's vocal delivery has been described as "deadpan".[4][37]

Members

[edit]
  • Poppy Hankin – vocals, guitar (2015–present)[26]
  • Iris McConnell – drums (2015–present)[26]
  • Sophie Moss – bass (2015–present)[26]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Early Grey (2017)
  • Girl (2019)
  • Prestige (2023)

Singles

[edit]
  • "I'll Make This Fun" (2016)[6]
  • "Trouble" (2016)[7]
  • "Stupid Things" (2017)[39]
  • "Preacher" (2017)[41]
  • "Don't Go Back at Ten" (2017)[42]
  • "(I Wish I Were Giving You a Gift) This Christmas" (2017)[16]
  • "The Way We Came Back" (2018)[17]
  • "Show Me More" (2019)[25]
  • "Girl" (2019)[43]
  • "Hurt So Bad" (2023)[34]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "pics: Chastity Belt, It Hugs Back & Girl Ray @ London's The Dalston Victoria". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Lester, Paul (6 March 2017). "New band of the week: Girl Ray (No 142) – lo-fi pop of teen romance with nods to 70s balladry". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Kaplan, Ilana (13 September 2017). "Girl Ray". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Breihan, Tom (1 August 2017). "Album Of The Week: Girl Ray Earl Grey". Stereogum. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  5. ^ Magazine, LOCK (18 May 2018). "LOCK Magazine - Volume Two Q&A Interview: Girl Ray". LOCK. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b Pearis, Bill. "listen to UK trio Girl Ray's new single "I'll Make This Fun"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Rancani, Laura (11 October 2016). "New to tastemaker indie Moshi Moshi, North London pop trio Girl Ray stir up their own "Trouble"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  8. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Porches expand tour with Girl Ray, add 2nd NYC show". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  9. ^ "6 Music Festival 2017". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  10. ^ a b c Peirson-Hagger, Ellen. "Album of the Week: Girl Ray". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Mackay, Emily (6 August 2017). "Girl Ray: Earl Grey review – a winningly gauche debut". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  12. ^ Killin, James (31 July 2017). "Girl Ray's debut is a poetic blend of late night texts and bucolic verse". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  13. ^ Aroesti, Rachel (3 August 2017). "Girl Ray: Earl Grey review – teen indie trio to watch". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Under the Radar's Top 15 Debut Albums of 2017". Under the Radar Magazine. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2017". Under the Radar Magazine. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b Roberts, Christopher (21 November 2017). "Girl Ray Share New Song "(I Wish I Were Giving You a Gift) This Christmas"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  17. ^ a b Ears, Get In Her (2 March 2018). "Track Of The Day: Girl Ray – 'The Way We Came Back'". Get In Her Ears. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  18. ^ Breihan, Tom (31 July 2019). "Girl Ray Announce New Album 'Girl,' Share Video For New Single "Show Me More": Watch". Stereogum. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  19. ^ a b Orr, Jack (8 November 2019). "Girl Ray - Girl". DIY. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  20. ^ a b c Pip, Andy Von (29 November 2019). "Girl". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  21. ^ Richards, Will (20 November 2019). "Girl Ray talk pop reinvention and Calvin Harris inspired new album: "It's a banger!"". NME. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  22. ^ Pearis, Bill. "Indie Basement (11/22): Girl Ray, Pale Saints, Dolly Mixture, Saint Etienne, Hefner". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  23. ^ Redfern, Mark (20 November 2019). "My Firsts: Girl Ray". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  24. ^ Hann, Michael (8 November 2019). "Girl Ray: Girl review – the great sound of a band getting pop wrong". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  25. ^ a b Pearis, Bill. "Girl Ray announce new album, share "Show Me More"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  26. ^ a b c d e Bloom, Madison (4 August 2023). "Girl Ray: Prestige". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  27. ^ a b c mariangelicalane (27 July 2023). "INTERVIEW: Girl Ray". Get In Her Ears. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Girl Ray talk new album Prestige, Pose, The Beatles, and teenage influences". Headliner Hub. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  29. ^ a b Redfern, Mark. ""Covers of Covers" – Under the Radar's First Album Is Out Today – Stream or Buy It Now". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  30. ^ a b Rettig, James (2 December 2021). "Girl Ray - "Murder On The Dancefloor" (Sophie Ellis-Bextor Cover)". Stereogum. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  31. ^ Arnone, Joey. "Girl Ray Share Video for Cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Murder on the Dancefloor"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  32. ^ Pearis, Bill. "Girl Ray announce new album, share "Hold Tight" video". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  33. ^ Mitchell, Matt (2 August 2023). "Girl Ray Rebel Against Pop Snobbery". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  34. ^ a b c d Redfern, Mark. "Girl Ray Share New Song "Hurt So Bad"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  35. ^ Carter, Daisy (4 August 2023). "Girl Ray - Prestige". DIY. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  36. ^ Smyth, David (3 August 2023). "Girl Ray – Prestige: could we be looking at the next Bananarama?". The Standard. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  37. ^ a b Joshi, Tara (6 August 2023). "Girl Ray: Prestige review – full strutting disco fun". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  38. ^ Boothroyd, Eve (2 August 2023). "Girl Ray - Prestige". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  39. ^ a b Cook, Cameron. "Girl Ray: "Stupid Things"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  40. ^ Empire, Kitty (10 November 2019). "Girl Ray: Girl review – a north London version of Haim". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  41. ^ Farrell, Margaret (4 May 2017). "Girl Ray – "Preacher"". Stereogum. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  42. ^ Whatley, Jack (29 June 2017). "Girl Ray get all friendly on 'Don't Go Back At Ten'". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  43. ^ Roberts, Christopher. "Girl Ray Share Video for New Song "Girl"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
[edit]

Official website

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Girl_Ray&oldid=1302582892"