How Taylor Felt Tackled ‘Love, Loss and Letting Go’ on Her Debut EP, Dead Flowers
After making a name for herself as a TikTok musical sensation, singer-songwriter Taylor Felt unveiled her debut EP, Dead Flowers, earlier this week, and it's more than worth the wait.
Crafted over the course of two years, the EP weaves a tale over seven tracks, serving not just as a diaristic account of her journey of self-discovery but a kind of roadmap for others looking to do the same. We love her irresistible take on alt-pop, ranging from brash and upbeat to dreamy and yearning, and always powered by Taylor's luscious vocals. By the end, Taylor has learned to finally let go of the things and feelings that no longer serve her, and that's precisely the energy we want to inhabit for the rest of the year. We were obsessed from the first listen, and we had the pleasure of chatting with Taylor to learn all about the EP in the interview below.
Sweety High: What does the EP name Dead Flowers mean to you? Why did that title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?
Taylor Felt: I named the EP Dead Flowers because I was learning the hard lesson of trying to stop watering dead flowers. The title track, "Dead Flowers," was inspired by all these little things around my apartment that are sort of like souvenirs from a past love—including these dead flowers on my counter.
(Photo credit: Sarah Eiseman)
SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the EP? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?
TF: The themes of the EP are the rollercoaster of love, loss and letting go. It touches on the lack of self-love in "MIRROR MIRROR," which is written as a conversation to my reflection. I hope this EP opens people's eyes to the relationships in their life (to themself and with others) and asks the question, "Do the people around me or the beliefs I have of myself limit me or allow me to grow?" I kept asking myself this question while creating this EP, and it was hard, but therapeutic to shed this past version of myself.
(Photo credit: Megan Clark)
Also read about: HunterGirl Talks Exploring a New Side of Her Music With Playful New Track, 'Bad Boy'
SH: How would you describe the EP's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?
TF: Most of these songs actually started in the shower! I would then bring my voice memos to the studio, start by laying down guitar or piano and then build the world around that. My executive producer, Deion Gill, took my ideas and truly brought them to life, alongside our circle of creatives, ALXi, Major Myjah and Dre Pinckney.
SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you are in life right now?
TF: Now I have grown so much from the creation of this EP and look back at that heartbroken lost girl and give her the biggest hug. I'm so proud of the art I made from a really hard time in my life. I'm proud of the person I'm becoming and releasing this EP is me finally closing that chapter of my life and turning over a new leaf.
(Photo credit: Megan Clark)
SH: What's your favorite song on the EP? Why?
TF: Ooh, I would say my favorite song on the EP is "happiest place on earth." It's so hauntingly beautiful. This song perfectly encapsulates the feeling of holding onto the ghost of someone or something.
Also read about: James Reid Shares Why It Took Him 3 Years to Release New Single, 'Hurt Me Too'
SH: Was there anything that surprised you about the process of recording your debut EP?
TF: I think what surprised me was how much I grew through creating this EP. It has truly changed my life. I'm so grateful for my creative best friends for holding a safe space for me to be honest and vulnerable. This is the most honest I've ever been in my music, and I hope people can resonate.
(Photo credit: Megan Clark)
SH: Is there anything else we should know about Dead Flowers?
TF: My first EP is now yours! It's scary but exciting to finally release a body of art independently and created from my heart. I hope Dead Flowers helps you as much as it helped me.
For more on the stories behind our favorite new music out this week, click HERE to read our interview with Jana Diab on her new single, "Escape Plan."