The new release from the Glasgow-born artist heartcoregirl is full of love songs, done up in a variety of contemporary styles and sub-styles. It’s called Lullabies. Did you ever wonder what a witch house ballad sounded like? Well, reader, wonder no more! The artist is able to tease out timeless feelings of romantic angst and set them atop computerized shoegaze, trap, and beyond. The self-described “Tumblr girl” is a product of the internet; her music weaves a web that combines deep online music aesthetics with indie rock durability. Read our interview with the artist—and listen to Lullabies—below.

Your newest EP is called Lullabies. What is the best context to play this music in?

heartcoregirl: Lullabies is a collection of love songs, confessional streams of consciousness soundtracking the last few years of my life, which have been overwhelmed with feelings of pain and euphoria alternating. I guess Lullabies kind of finds the romance amongst this chaos, and finds the softness in the harsh. I guess Lullabies is very melancholic. I have performed these songs in so many nightclub settings around the world, so it can work there. I like dancing and being out late, and I can see it fitting in club environments too. Performing in a bed in Amsterdam last week was kind of perfect. 

Lullabies is kind of sad girl music, maybe more driving music or songs to lie in bed listening to. The EP to me feels like a welcoming to a world I have created. There are aspects of poetic motifs/symbolism, the white cat or the cherry sundae and various “settings” like the beach, the strip club, the hotel suite. I want people to feel like they have entered a dream, and the imagery is important to feel this state. I see it as a representation of a life informed by the consciousness of a Tumblr girl, being obsessed with images, yearning nostalgia, and an ache of sensitivity in harsh places. Movie soundtracks have always had a huge influence on me, those of coming of age films. I think that kind of mixtape feel, encapsulating a mood/feeling, makes sense to frame Lullabies.

“Dim me” has a cool guitar sample. It was produced by boysinblush, right? What is your history working with boysinblush/Suzy Sheer?

boysinblush and I started working together very naturally in 2022. I loved his sound. It’s the kind of production I’d been searching for. And we share a lot of common influences, especially shoegaze/trap/electronic. All our music together is made from my old bedroom in Glasgow, to his in New York through the internet. Was super nice to play shows with him in New York and Philly and hope we can do it again soon.

Sort of related: There are a lot of rock influences on this new EP. What kind of rock music have you been listening to lately? How about when you were growing up?

I was raised listening to a lot of music, and there was a lot of 90s alternative/slowcore/experimental music played at my home—music playing at all times. I started off being really into The Smiths and Joy Division as a kid, but by the time I was 17, shoegaze seems to be the genre that had the most impact on me. My Bloody Valentine’s EP’s 1988-1991 is some of my favorite music ever, bands like Cocteau Twins, Lush, Slowdive. That wall of sound feeling gets me. I love Beach House, it’s my comfort music. I love dream pop, I love trip hop.  

Lana was my first gig when I was 12. I am a huge Lana Del Rey fan. Then I think my second gig was MGMT lol. I went to so many indie gigs as a teenager, and then I discovered underground trap. Fell in love with emo rappers like Lil Peep lmao. I liked witchhouse a lot as a teenager, also. Daniel Johnston was one of my first loves. I like Hole. Recently I have been listening to lots of KatieJane Garside, Julee Cruise, and 1920s love songs. I think Yikii and Wisteria are really great female artists atm if I was to shout some underrated girls out. 

How did your recent Valentine’s Day mix come together? 

Valentine’s mix was made as I love love, and romance is a big part of why I make music. I used to think I wasn’t romantic, but really I see the romance in everything, even the small things. I like the dichotomy between sleaziness and true love, and how that appears in pop culture throughout the years. Love and lust are so interconnected, yet so separate. Love is immersive and all encompassing, and I want my music to feel like that, like you are being fully immersed.

Where is your favorite place to record vocals? Do you have to be in a certain “zone” to perform?

I record vocals mostly at night sitting on my bed. If my room is looking cute it’s all the better. Playfulness and comfort is important to any art I make, but a lot of my music has been recorded in times of real pain. Both work in different ways. 

You’ve played shows all over the world. Do you have a favorite set you’ve ever done? What was special about it?

I have loved playing shows all around the world. It’s been crazy, I’ve been able to tour worldwide via Instagram DMs and no management or label. Tokyo on Valentine’s a few years ago was very special. Playing in my hometown in Glasgow finally with Evanora was also a highlight. I always love London too, as I found my place in the music world performing here. There’s been too many special moments. Playing slow, emotional music in a club environment can feel like I’m changing up the vibe a lot, but often audiences are super into it and the emos come forward! 🫣 I love performing, even to tiny crowds. I think just a feeling of connection with even one audience member is enough for it to be a good show.

Growing up on the internet and listening to internet-native music has clearly been a major influence on the way you make songs. Do you have any formative memories of music discovery on the internet? 

I grew up on Tumblr, and being obsessed with aesthetics. I remember somehow having the skillset to code my Tumblr so Grimes would play when you logged on. Finding artists like Spooky Black on the computers at the library when studying for my exams when I was like 14 was a big turning point for me. 

Where is the best place to party in Glasgow? And then where is the best place to recover the day after?

I was born and grew up in Glasgow and went to art school in Glasgow (studied fine art photography) so I guess you could go to The Art School bar if you are broke and want a cheap drink, or Nice N Sleazy bar. That’s where my parents would drink too when they were young, going to gigs. It’s very music-oriented. But tbh the best place to party in Glasgow would be my friend’s house lol, it’s always the nicest when we are just together. The day after, you could go to University Cafe if you want to be kitsch, or maybe Satu Satu for super good Malaysian. Mother India is good for Indian food too. There’s a big Scottish Indian population in Glasgow, where some of my heritage is from, so I must pay my respects. 🪷