Billy Nomates

A prickly return for the country-slung singer on which she bares her soul just as often as she bares her teeth.

‘CACTI’ comes from a much more exposed place than Tor’s unrepentant debut and sees her further develop her instinctive, inventive songwriting and production. Spanning a plethora of styles and genres, she remains a highly original voice - still distinctive and spirited, just a little more introspective. It’s stunning testament to the quality of those writing chops that this has been on regular repeat in our heads, in the shop, and in the office for nigh on nine months now. This is an ample pool to quaff from, but we’re hyped for what’s around the corner too.

Unafraid to wade into the traumas of the past two years and the eerie sense of apathy that lingers, alongside heartache and more political themes, the 12-track collection openly confronts uncomfortable truths, as Tor puts it, "70-80% of being bold is about being vulnerable as hell." Maries said: “Writing 'CACTI' took just over a year. I wrote very intensely and then none at all. (This seems to be the way I work best). I picked up old drum machines, mapped out things in my kitchen with the same small micro keyboard I always use and then raided the cupboards and rooms at Invada Studios, to play and experiment with old synths, an upright piano, this weird organ thing. I hope everyone finds their own narrative in 'CACTI'. I think it's about surviving it all.” Recorded at her flat and Invada Studios, 'CACTI' is a huge step up for the artist.