AYLA unveils eclectic, beautifully multi-faceted debut album, 'DOPAMINE'

Always a sparkling gem on the Australian music scene, the multi-faceted Sunshine Coast pop sensation, AYLA has unveiled her long-awaited debut album, ‘DOPAMINE’.

It’s an album that is a rich tapestry of emotive storytelling and sonic exploration, comprising 13 tracks that highlight AYLA’s distinctive blend of modern pop sensibilities.

The project is a culmination of years of artistic growth and collaboration, demonstrating AYLA’s evolution as an artist.

Focus single, ‘Open Your Doors’, co-written with Danny Harley (Kite String Tangle), encapsulates the album's theme of self-discovery and embracing new experiences. The song is a refreshing departure from Ayla's self proclaimed 'sad girl pop' vibe, bringing an uplifting and hopeful message. AYLA describes the track as a celebration of breaking free and taking hold of new opportunities, inspired by her excitement on the day she wrote the song, just before embarking on her first overseas trip.

"Danny and I had a great synergy during the creation of 'Open Your Doors'," AYLA explains. "His innovative production ideas, including creating instrumental layers from vocal samples, added a unique texture to the track. It's a song that brings a sense of openness and hope, contrasting beautifully with the more introspective and heartfelt tracks on the album.”

Listening to ‘DOPAMINE’, you’re taking in a journey through four years of collective works (technically 6 years, with the inclusion of 2018’s ‘Small Talk’ on the album) of AYLA’s musical evolution, with the eclectic artist shifting away from the songwriter stylings of pre-2018 AYLA, and instead adopting a bolder, enriching mixture of sonic textures and genres. AYLA dips her toes into multiple pools of EDM sub-genres, taking on house, electro glam-rock, synth-pop, trip hop and a lot more inbetween. Deep bass, synths, and airy pads all lay the foundation for AYLA’s utterly distinct vocal takes and story telling. ‘Dopamine’ is the result of AYLA and a swag of carefully-curated collaborators combining to form one super album, like a musical Voltron.

Contributors to ‘DOPAMINE' include Reuben Styles (Peking Duk), Ed Quinn (Telenova), Taka Perry, Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music), LDRU, Sam Thomlinson, Danny Harley (The Kite String Tangle), and Peter Holz (Vance Joy, Gang of Youths), who handled the mixing. The album stands as a testament to AYLA's evolution as an artist and her ability to fuse poignant storytelling with multidimensional musical styles.

AYLA reflects on the process: "As I reworked tracks, did more co-writes, dug out old demos, and wrote new tracks, it started to make more sense to release a full body of work. It was a pretty unconventional way to make an album! As an independent artist, it was quite the journey to bring it all together, but I’m really proud of the album I’ve made."

The album's creation, however, was not without its challenges. AYLA notes, "The process has been absolutely incredible in so many ways, I’ve been able to work and collaborate with so many talented people. In a way, though, this is also what has been the most difficult part of creating this album – working with SO many different (amazing) people." This diverse range of influences required additional production to streamline the sound and ensure a cohesive body of work.

AYLA playfully considered titling the album ‘Love Songs and Existentialism’, reflecting the range of themes explored in the tracks. The songs delve into the human experience, touching on topics like breaking free, hopefulness, hopelessness, and nostalgia. Tracks like ‘Bitterness’ discuss heartbreak from a friendship perspective, while others like "Small Talk," ‘Should’ve Been Fine’ and ‘Deep’ examine the complexities of love and loss.

Title track ‘Dopamine’ encapsulates the maelstrom of the highs and lows of the music industry, with chorus sharing, “But the hardest thing is the dopamine, the hole where it’s been, I try not to lose my head on the come down, it’s so hard when the lights are out”, painting a picture of post tour blues and generally pining for a buzz that’s lost.

AYLA has long been one of Australia’s most-watched music artists. Her breakout debut single ‘Wish I Was’ emerged as a sudden and powerful force, striking triple j Unearthed with remarkable impact. It went on to become the 15th most played song of the year on triple j, the highest for a solo female artist. This success led to standout performances on triple j’s Like A Version and at renowned festivals like Big Pineapple, Festival of the Sun, and Woodford Folk Festival. She has also supported acclaimed acts such as Kate Miller-Heidke, San Cisco, and Kim Churchill, and expanded her reach with shows in the UK and Netherlands.

As AYLA steps back into the spotlight with ‘DOPAMINE’, she invites listeners to join her on a journey of emotional discovery and sonic innovation. The album promises to be a milestone in her career, solidifying her place in the contemporary music landscape.

You should be taking in ‘Dopamine’ now, via all streaming platforms. 