Women Who Ruled My 2020 Winter with Nicole Millar
Image: Sly Morikawa
Australia’s Nicole Millar returned to music late last year after a break of almost two years. Her return ushered in a new era in her sound with a darker, more defined, more confident, R&B dipped urban-pop sonic landscape which reflected her new found strength and self-confidence as not just an artist but also as a person. December 2019 saw the release of ‘Favours’, an edgy, razor sharp kiss off to a toxic relationship, which was followed in April by ‘I should probably go to therapy’, a wry take on anxiety and daily stress encased in smooth, chilled out electro beats. And then in June the third single of Millar’s re-invention ‘4U’ landed, an atmospheric R&B love song. The new stage of Millar’s career is proving to be one of her most exciting with her talent for mixing up her sound and taking her music into new territories really paying off.
“The new direction of these past three singles coincides with my new-found trust in my own ability as a songwriter,” says Millar. “To make a sonic departure from the feel-good indie-pop I was recognised for required a heightened level of self-confidence that comes with age and experience. Now, I feel I can be more candid, tread down pathways that were previously closed off to me, and feed those latent curiosities by exploring the creative intersection of music, culture and sexuality in my new audio and visual output.”
At winter in the southern hemisphere slowly draws to a close, we sat down with Nicole to chat about the women who ruled her winter.
Women Who Ruled My 2020 Winter With Nicole Millar
“Music has been the only thing that has been getting me through COVID (oh, and snacks, of course!). I’ve put together a few of my fave artists at the moment – these songs really lift my spirits and keep me inspired to create. If don’t already know these artists - please get to know them, because they are all so talented.”
COUCOU CHLOE
Chloe is a London based, French-born producer/vocalist – her tracks have been in Rihanna's fashion shows. She is super unique, love her dark production and vox. She looks badass and I just want to be friends with her haha. If you want a song to make you feel badass in the car with the windows down - put on NOBODY.
ROSALIA
Rosalia is a Spanish singer-songwriter from Barcelona. I’ve been obsessed with Rosalia she once followed me on Twitter for a good day or so and my life was complete haha, what can’t she do, her music is amazing. Current fave of hers is TKN with Travis Scott - makes me want to learn how to move my hips! If you have seen her Tik Tok, you will know!
LYKKE LI
Lykke Li is one of Scandi music’s household names. She got me though quarantine – especially her live Instagrams, where she’d be playing piano, chatting, drinking her own homemade Tequila - a boss move. ‘Sex Money Feelings Die’ is my Lykke Li favourite track - wish I wrote this song - gets me in the feels.
070 SHAKE
070 Shake is so talented! She’s only 22, most people would know her from her spot on Kanye West’s track ‘Ghost Town’. I like how in her music it just flows and she speaks her mind, you can hear pain and emotion in her voice which is something I admire. The whole album Modus Vivendi is a masterpiece and must listen from start to finish.
ARCA
Arca is a Venezuelan electronic music producer and has worked alongside huge names in the music industry such as FKA Twigs, Kanye West and Björk. Arca (who identifies as a trans woman) has an eccentric identity, and really pushes the boundaries of her craft. My fave new album is Arca’s KiCk – I listen to this album when I’m walking to get my coffee in the morning. The track ‘Time’ puts me in such an uplifting mood - recommend.
