Freya Leiya - POISON (Single) + 10 Questions
Freya Leiya Bleeds Honesty in New Single POISON.
East London’s own Freya Leiya has released POISON, a raw, poetic and beautifully bruised alt R&B single that lays her heart bare. Written in tears and recorded in her bedroom, the track captures the chaotic push and pull of toxic love, set against sultry guitars, smoky sax textures and Freya’s unmistakable raspy vocals.
The song is the fourth release from her upcoming debut EP She’s Lost, a NextGen funded project backed by Youth Music, Dr. Martens and TikTok, and it sits perfectly in her growing world of soulful introspection. Freya’s sound blurs vulnerability and strength, heartbreak and euphoria, echoing the emotional honesty of artists like Amy Winehouse and SZA while carving her own cinematic lane.
POISON feels both intimate and defiant, a confessional exploration of the ways love can wound and heal at once. A rap remix and visuals are on the horizon, promising to deepen the moody, reflective world she’s building.
“I write to heal,” Freya says. “To tell the truth, even when it hurts, especially when it hurts.”
With She’s Lost, Freya Leiya isn’t just releasing music; she’s creating emotional worlds that are smoky, soulful and utterly human.
Freya Leiya sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
My first real memory of music is listening to Whitney Houston with my mum, we absolutely loved her. Music was always therapeutic for me during hard times when I was younger; it was my escape. When I was fourteen, I taught myself a Chopin piece - Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4 - the one from The Notebook - all alone in my room, on a little keyboard, in bed. Not much has changed in that aspect.
I started really young and haven’t stopped since. I also wrote songs at school and performed whenever I could. I was heavily encouraged by my music teachers, I still keep in touch with them, which means a lot. I then went on to study a music degree. I’ve always been annoyingly obsessed with the world of music. I just have this undefinable love for it. My relationship with it feels whole. I feel like I’m floating when I sing, and I always have. I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop, whether it sells or not.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Erykah Badu, Frank Ocean, Summer Walker, and Dinah Washington are huge influences for me.
I’d die to work with Frank Ocean one day - I do dream big and hope it’ll happen. UK wise, I’m drawn to artists like Zino Vinci, CASISDEAD, and Wretch 32. I love artists who build worlds and tell stories, which is what I try to do too. I’m dying to drop a hook on a track with these artists.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
‘POISON’ was released on the 12th of November, and then I’m releasing my debut EP She’s Lost in March, alongside a headline show. It’s a conceptual project, a journey through my mistakes and growth, with every song carrying a story or memory. I’m really proud of it; it took two years before I was fully happy with the concept. The project is funded by Youth Music, which I’m super grateful for.
In regard to future releases, expect a remix of ‘POISON’, and the final single off of my debut EP which will be released on the 7th of January.
4. How would you describe your sound?
My sound is sultry and confessional, alt R&B rooted in honesty. I produce and compose too, so I’m drawn to space, pads, and layering, but I don’t like to pin myself down to one sound. I’m a singer first, but almost all my songs start as freestyles. I let emotion from pain, memory, and energy flow straight from my soul to your ears.
It’s poetic, raw, and imaginative. I’m inspired by Alt R&B and Neo-Soul, but I’m also excited to explore dance in the future, because I’ve always been a raver.
5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Getting funding from Youth Music to release my EP was a huge moment. My debut single landing on a Spotify editorial playlist was another, and I’m proud of the music video I made for it too, as it was fully DIY.
Honestly, pulling this EP together feels like my biggest achievement so far. And when I posted a snippet of my upcoming single coming out in January, Konny Kon, from Children of Zeus liked it, that made my week!
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Plan, plan, plan. Have idea books, don’t try to remember everything. Change your perspective on “content” and think of it as visual art that gives your music respect.
Keep pushing. Live in the rejection; don’t fear it. Believe in your work, because no one else will until you do. If it’s not working, take a break. DIY that sh*t until you’re noticed, there are no barriers when you’ve got a phone, a roof over your head, a heart, and creativity. And network! This industry can be hard, but your love for music goes harder.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Kristie Killick, Allyson, Ayeisha Raquel, BINA., and Alf.jdr.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Erykah Badu — Live
Kendrick Lamar — Untitled Unmastered.
Frank Ocean — Blonde
9th Wonder — Zion IV
Playboi Carti — Playboi Carti
Travis Scott — Rodeo
Mac Miller — Swimming
Daniel Caesar — CASE STUDY 01
NxWorries — Why Lawd
I could go on forever, honestly.
9. What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
Cook! I love to cook, create recipes, and sing while I do it, I’ve even got a playlist called Sketching Spices. I’m also heavily into philosophy, especially stoicism. I’m an advocate for neurodiversity, particularly for autistic and ADHD girls and women.
I love travelling, new cultures, new foods, meeting new people, hearing cool stories. And I’m definitely partial to a rave or a festival, though I’m hoping to play more than I attend.
10. Name three things you can’t live without when in the studio.
My lyric book, my menthol Lost Mary, and solitude - honestly.
Stream POISON on all DSP's here.