Matilda Pearl releases new single 'Linger'

Image: Constantine Virtanen

18 year-old Matilda Pearl has released her new single ‘Linger’, her first single of 2021 after launching her music career last year.

The track is a gorgeous fusion of 1980s electropop and disco with dashes of funk which has clear links to two of Pearl’s major musical inspirations, Madonna and Kylie Minogue. “‘Linger’ is about knowing something is bad for you, but hanging around anyway which I did in the last few years of high school,” Pearl explains. “It's about the feeling between clinging onto something awesome that was once there, but also realising it's long gone. I wrote it during year 12 partly to distract myself from online study, but also with the intention to get myself up and dancing to the bad times rather than feeling sad over them. I hope people listen and get that same feeling that it's better to dance like no one is watching when stuff gets hard.”

Brought up on a audio diet of 1980s music and as part of a family who run dolphin tours on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, it is no wonder Pearl describes her music as ‘mermaid meets disco’. Discovering a love of songwriting at 14, she released the singles ‘Soak’ and ‘Your Touch’ last year while she was completing Year 12, with both tracks produced by her high school music production teachers. After entering ‘Your Touch’ in triple j’s prestigious Unearthed High competition, Pearl attracted attention from a number of triple j presenters and Unearthed High winner George Alice.

With the release of ‘Linger’, Pearl’s burgeoning music career takes another step forward with her signing to record label Sweat It Out alongside signing to management and touring companies. Later this year she will be performing with ARIA Award nominee G Flip at the Land of Plenty Festival.

With a serious knack for turning out sparkly, infectious pop music that never fails to bring you to your feet, Matilda Pearl is a music star definitely on the rise and we can’t wait to hear more from her.

‘Linger’ is out now via Sweat It Out. You can buy and stream here.

To keep up with all things Matilda Pearl you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

MATILDA PEARL TOUR DATES
23 July - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 October - Land of Plenty Festival (with Ball Park Music, G Flip), Shepparton, VIC