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Tygermylk Local Girl, Always Tired

TYGERMYLK (they/them) shines on their debut album ‘Local Girl, Always Tired’, which is out now

The impressive 10-track offering symbolises the many ups, downs, and life lessons that have shaped the rising artist over the 10 years it has been in the works.

With moments of poignance and rawness balanced by upbeat, playful bursts of euphoria, the record stands as an impressive coming-of-age album.

‘Local Girl, Always Tired’ which arrived two days ahead of the album, pulls on their experiences of moving back to their hometown during the pandemic. Being in a town that doesn't align with who you are can create a wealth of challenges. Sharing more, Tygermylk explained; ‘Just before the first lockdown, I had a breakdown. I was completely burnt out and had to leave London. I moved back in with my parents. Then the pandemic hit, and I found myself grappling with a covid-induced relapse of the chronic illness (ME/CFS & POTS) I’d been dealing with since my teenage years. I’d been badly bullied when I was younger and never had many friends, and suddenly in 2020 I was back in the same place that had been the source of so much trauma.

The song is about that feeling: being stuck in a small town that doesn’t fundamentally align with who you are, dreaming of a bigger life, aching to escape.’ 

The title ‘Local Girl, Always Tired’ came from a chance moment of inspiration. ‘The idea came from overhearing a job interview in a hotel foyer in Manchester. This girl was asked, “If you ever made the headlines, what would your headline be?” She sighed: “Oh, I don’t know… Local Girl, Always Tired.” Tygermylk shared.

Ahead of today's album, Tygermylk has teased four singles in addition to the title track; ‘Natali’, ‘The Deverills’, 'Confetti’ and ‘Babe III’.

The latter arrived back in September, taking shape as a poignant and tender offering. Originally written as a way to process the loss of their grandfather. It sees them share one of their fondest moments from their childhood - finding a pig. After enlisting their father on backing vocals, the track has become all the more precious and significant since he unexpectedly passed away just months after recording.

The unexpected loss of their father also fueled ‘Emergency Contact’; a beautiful response to the aching emptiness and pain of grappling with loss when it’s still so raw. Sharing more, they said: ‘It starts with a voice note from him. He was always my emergency contact. I felt cut adrift for a long time, not knowing who to turn to for certain things. The week that my dad died, a massive Oak fell in the woods next to their house onto the power lines and the lights literally went out for days. I wanted the dramatic ending to sound like the storm that caused that, and the sudden silence that followed.’

The album's emotive, cathartic moments are delicately balanced alongside the more playful, upbeat moments. ‘The Deverills’ is a collaborative track with fellow artist and friend Laura Reznek. Leaning into the absurdity of life, it celebrates friendship and all the inside jokes that come with platonic love. Not to mention some much needed, tongue in cheek commentary on the music industry's idolisation of youth and crippling fear of age.

Based in Hastings, TYGERMYLK (Hayz Harland) is a force to be reckoned with. They have been making waves since they launched in 2018 with ‘What God Would Keep Us Apart’, a track that debuted at Brighton Pride and scooped support from the likes of Scene Magazine and BBC News. Ahead of their album's launch show on the 19th at London's St Pancras Old Church (tickets here), they have already shown themself to be a well versed live performer. With performances under their belt already including Glastonbury and Isle of Wight festivals plus a live performance on Channel 4’s The Last Leg, they are definitely an artist to keep watching.

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