FEATURE: Spotlight: I Am Boleyn

FEATURE:

 

 

Spotlight

 

I Am Boleyn

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THIS is the musical moniker…

PHOTO CREDIT: Eva Pentel

of the brilliant Lydia Baylis. I have been a fan of her music for years now. I can’t remember what year it was, but I hosted Baylis for an event I helped run in London where a selection of artists played. It was a month dedicated to music blogs and these terrific curated line-ups. I was instantly struck by her confidence, stagecraft and exceptional music! That incredible voice and the way she can engage with an audience and how she gets this adoration and energy from them. I have watched with interest and seen her career grow and expand. Formerly writing under her real name, I Am Boleyn is this alter ego and alias that is fascinating. Voyager was released last year and is a spectacular album that won a lot of praise. I will end with a few glowing reviews for Voyager. However, many people might want to know more about I Am Boleyn and why you should support this incredible artist. Someone I am always in we of. I want to go back to last year and this interview from Rizing Playlists. Such an immense and original talent, I feel the next few years will see I Am Boleyn growing in stature. This music queen with so many great times ahead of her:

“What’s the story behind your artist name — and does it reflect who you are today?

My name is inspired by Anne Boleyn, who was the second wife of Henry VIII of England. She lived, and died (!) it such a colourful way, I was intrigued by her. Especially at a time when women really didn't feature in decision making. I wanted to incorporate her spirit into my stage persona in someway.

Which song of yours means the most to you, and what inspired it?

This is a really hard question to answer! I think I would have to pick Girl Like Me - it is inspired by I Am Boleyn's journey from space to earth where she falls in love with a human man. I wanted to explore the theme of love and all its disappointments and wonder through the lens of someone out of this world and its content.

How would you describe your sound in three words — and why those?

Nostalgic. Empowering. Fun!

What was the moment you truly felt like an artist — not just someone making music?

I love this question! Creating the character of I Am Boleyn and telling her story made me feel like an artist. All of the artwork as well as the music pulled together towards her voyage, which was the reason for the album title 'Voyager'.

Who are your biggest musical influences, and how do they show up in your work?

I love Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac and Florence and the Machine. I also love Goldfrapp and Annie Lennox. So many wonderful women to be inspired by!

What’s your creative process like — from a blank page to a finished track?

Usually I start with a lyrical idea, this album was quite conceptual as I wanted to tell the story of I Am Boleyn and her voyage through space to earth, falling in love and observing the chaos of our world before deciding if she wanted to stay. Then we built the tracks around those ideas and they were produced by the very talented, Johannes Willinder, Par Westerlund and Charlie Thomas.

If someone’s hearing you for the first time, which track should they start with — and why?

This is another great question! I think that 'Only Space' would be a good place to start. It is the opening track on the album and introduces my style quite well - it is synthy and cinematic and also fun!

What’s been your most unforgettable moment on your music journey so far?

There have been lots of great moments! Getting to see the full album, all fifteen tracks released was really special. Also my show in London as it was packed with a home crowd and it felt so great to perform a lot of the songs for the first time.

What do you want people to feel when they hear your music?

I love the idea that people will dance to my music - I love dancing! But then that they will also listen to the lyrics and feel comforted and inspired by them. I write a lot about love and also the power of letting go and blazing your own path.

What’s next for you — and what should fans be excited about?

My album 'Voyager' just came out and I have done some promo shows in Stockholm and London which were amazing. I'll be releasing more online about the songs, some videos and interviews to deep dive into the album!”.

In another 2025 interview, Last Bus Magazine spotlighted the fabulous I Am Boleyn. In terms of her look and aesthetic, I think it is really interesting and standout. I have not seen Lydia Baylis perform since I hosted her, so I must catch an I Am Boleyn show if there is one in London very soon. She has so many fans out there. Voyager was one of my favourite albums from last year:

“What music were you brought up on/who are your musical influences?

I was brought up on David Bowie and The Velvet Underground by my father and then fell in love with  Zero 7 and Massive Attack. I am also a huge fan of Lana Del Rey.

We heard that you used to have a residency at Ronnie Scott's. What a place!

Yes! It's such a cool spot! I loved being there. We were upstairs on Tuesdays for a few months.

Was your music more acoustic back then? If so, how did your music evolve to where it is now?

Yes it was. It has definitely evolved. The songwriting itself remains a very similar process, it gets better over time you hope... but the basics of finding a melody and writing the lyric around the idea - those things stay the same. But the next stage, the production, has really developed over trial and error and ultimately collaboration with amazing people. It sounds weird for a musician to talk about finding their 'sound', but it is a real journey!

You've mentioned that you write your music mainly in Stockholm. Why there?

I was introduced to Jocke and 'Family Stockholm', who are producing the album , about two years ago by a friend Bobby, and it was creative love at first sight! It is also very liberating to go and work somewhere were you know very few people (and it's dark for half of the year!) so you can really focus.

Who do you listen to on your Last Bus home?

Another great question! It depends on what mood I'm in a littlest, but if I am feeling reflective then I love the album 'Silent Treatment' by HIGHASAKITE. There is an amazing song on that album called 'Last Wednesday'. I also love Tycho's 'Awake' album. Sometimes you just need music and no words.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

It's got to be Grimes 'Delete Forever' and all things Sam Fender”.

I am so glad there are these ecstatic reviews for Voyager. It is a very special album from an artist that is in a league of her own! One that you all should follow and hear. Visit her Bandcamp page and grab her music there. York Calling shared their thoughts about an album that will grab you right away. It is such a remarkable collection of songs:

“The album starts with Only Space, a cosmic disco number that opens ambient before finding an intoxicating electronic groove. I Am Boleyn’s smooth vocals provide the perfect balm to its sci-fi edge, giving us something delicate and organic to follow on our journey.

The emotion of the album’s themes is never understated yet its mix of genres is subtle. Girl Like Me is a wistful ballad with synth pop and R&B undertones. Tiny Love is moody and heart-wrenching. Stay ups the emotions, providing some catharsis in the soaring chorus. Lydia – Snowdonia is an expansive tribute to the North Wales region before Until The Summer Ends brings the album to a close in romantic style.

Lead single, Taxi, is, of course, a highlight thanks to its slow-building electronic opening verse and crystalline vocals. It’s instantly stirring and only builds from there, finally arriving at a riveting crescendo.

Among the album’s originals we get two unexpected covers – The Corrs’ Breathless and Britney Spears’ Toxic, bringing the ’90s and ’00s classics bang up to date with retro-modern reworks.

With a mix of the conventional and unconventional, along with a compelling authenticity, Voyager is a masterful record. I Am Boleyn has nailed it with her debut. It’s a must listen”.

Let’s move to this review, that offers some interesting perspectives on Voyager. It is clear that, with I Am Boleyn, we have an artist that is going to be putting out world-class music for years to come. I need to interview her very soon, as I have been invested in Lydia Baylis’s music for a very long time. Always so proud of everything that she does:

“Do you want to embark on an interstellar journey with the Space Queen, who descends to Earth and discovers the feelings of humans? This is a very interesting theme explored by I Am Boleyn from London in her album ‘Voyager’. 15 tracks lead the listener through a neon, cool synthwave sound and the bright pop vocals of I Am Boleyn, and the album’s title speaks for itself. But if you look deeper, it becomes clear that this is not only about how the Space Queen ended up on Earth, but also about how she loved, despaired, and revealed herself after everything she went through. It is an amazing story about how the main character experiences heartbreak while also feeling the euphoria of love. This might be a new sensation for the Space Queen, since only life on Earth can bring such feelings.

This suggests the fragility present in this release, that even the Space Queen, the one who can cross time and space, has a very gentle, fragile soul, vulnerable to earthly emotions. And this is an experience that makes her stronger, and it is a very important theme, reflecting many modern views and tendencies. ‘Voyager’ is a very subtle psychological album that will undoubtedly touch every attentive listener. On the other hand, if you just want to enjoy an amazing, vibrant dance atmosphere, I Am Boleyn and her music are exactly what you need. And I would like to highlight a few tracks that moved and inspired me the most.

Undoubtedly, the first track-intro ‘Only Space’ stands out. It introduces us to the Space Queen, to her power and might through a vivid arrangement, the voice of I Am Boleyn, and an overall epic atmosphere. I would even compare it to the opening titles before a full-scale film that then unfolds inside your headphones. Then comes ‘Girl Like Me’, one of the singles on the album, which reveals the tenderness that will remain present throughout all the tracks. It blends harmoniously with the bright rhythm, synths, keys, and airy sound. Following that, ‘Taxi’, the main single produced by Par Westerlund (Black Pink, One Direction), heats up the atmosphere with multiple backing layers, a striking structure, and dynamic melodic development that immediately grabs attention. I enjoy how effortless I Am Boleyn’s vocals sound. Her voice is soft, gentle, slightly processed, and creates a cosmic and magical tone, like shimmering stardust. You know, when you first hear the story of a Space Queen, the first thing that comes to mind is strength and authority, but the album ‘Voyager’ shows that behind the mask of a powerful image hides a sensitive soul and endless tenderness. And I hear that in the vocals on ‘Taxi’ and in the overall style of I Am Boleyn.

I am completely in love with the gentle sound of the song ‘Tiny Love’. The charming lyrics and steadily developing arrangement create a very cinematic and aesthetic experience, images appear in your mind instantly, and you just want to sit back and enjoy the stunning atmosphere that ‘Tiny Love’ brings, stylish, tender, and remarkable. I would like to highlight the track ‘Here Before’, where the futurism of I Am Boleyn’s shimmering silver sound takes on a softer and sweeter tone thanks to her voice. There is something almost intangible in this track that works on a subconscious level and gives it a strong commercial appeal. The production is fantastic, and the anticipation of what will happen next grabs immediately. I have to admit, this is one of my favorite songs on the album.

I Am Boleyn sticks to conceptuality, dividing it into parts, and the track ‘INTRO / INTERLUDE’ marks a turning point in the release. It is placed almost in the middle, which makes it significant for the story. Here, the melody becomes more grounded, almost ritualistic in rhythm, with more familiar instruments. This can easily serve as a moment for reflection, for example, it could be the turning point for the Space Queen, who has gone through several trials and begins to rediscover herself, uncovering emotions she had never felt before. Possibly that is why the next track, ‘Toxic’, carries a more passionate sound and hidden energy, which can be felt if you close your eyes and listen to every beat. I am completely captivated by the lyrics in ‘Another Me’ and how the melody, shimmering synths, rhythms, and a vivid pulsing beat blend with I Am Boleyn’s unique vocals. ‘Another Me’ seems to mark the birth of a new version of the Space Queen, which fits perfectly within the concept of the entire release. At the same time, this song could stand alone as a single and carry a powerful message for anyone who needs to move on or simply needs a sense of support. Stunning!

I like that the final track ‘Until The Summer Ends’ starts with the sound of what feels like a cassette or disc starting to play. This detail adds something familiar, light, and cozy. ‘Until The Summer Ends’ is filled with commercial hooks that instantly stick, and this track gives a feeling of joy. You can simply enjoy ‘Until The Summer Ends’, sing along and dance, or reflect on what comes next. Will the Space Queen remain on Earth or travel to other planets, taking the experience she gained with her, an experience that could bring a new understanding of the infinite cosmos. This is a great ending for ‘Voyager’, marking that the adventure and journey continue, and everything experienced becomes a new impulse to keep exploring the world. You felt it too, right? Be sure to follow I Am Boleyn, add your favorite tracks to your playlists so you never lose them and always stay up to date with new releases from I Am Boleyn!”.

I am going to wrap things up with Vox Wave Mag. I am not sure what her plans are for the rest of 2026. I can imagine that some summer festival dates will be announced, and there will be some more singles. Thrilling to see what comes next for I Am Boleyn. There are no other artists out there quite like her. Such a special songwriter. Someone whose voice is especially powerful and striking:

“At the heart of Voyager is the story of the Queen of the Cosmos, who sets off for Earth: an odyssey of love, despair, and self-discovery. And I would like to tell this story from the point of view of a culinary critic. Imagine that you’ve come to a special concert-dinner, at a molecular gastronomy restaurant. Here, familiar dishes suddenly transform into something unexpected: ice cream is served hot, and soup comes in the form of transparent spheres that burst on your tongue. That’s more or less what happens with “Voyager” – familiar emotions and melodies, but presented in such a way that you don’t recognize them right away. You sit down at the table not knowing what to expect, and then the first dish appears, opening this unusual tasting menu. The first track of the album, “Only Space,” is like a greeting from the chef, which immediately sets the mood for the entire evening, surprises and intrigues, promising even more musical discoveries ahead.

And it is precisely in this context that “Taxi” appears, the lead single, which I would compare to a spicy sauce that adds heat to the entire album and gives the sound a special piquancy. In it, synthpop reveals itself in all its beauty: shimmering synths, groovy beats, and a melody that grabs you instantly. The track captures attention right away, blending nostalgia with a sharp modern sound. The vocals are that very spice which gives the sound its refined, flavorful kick.

The songs on “Voyager” are like individual dishes in a tasting menu.
And if we talk about flavors, “Driving in the Dark” is a kind of atmospheric experiment. The sped-up chorus sections and shimmering synthesizers create a sense of movement, while the vanilla-caramel vocals add softness and completeness to the composition, preparing the listener for the next musical revelation. It is in this atmosphere that “Here Before” appears, a light mousse of nostalgia that melts as you listen, leaving behind only a delicate, pleasant aftertaste. This approach allows the track to gently blend into the overall style of the album, without overloading the sound palette, while setting an emotional tone and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the record.

There is a lot of interesting material on the album, but I would like to pause on the track “Toxic “(a cover of the Britney Spears hit). Its sound is like a classic dish prepared using new techniques: you recognize the taste, but can’t quite understand how it’s even possible. In my view, this highlights the originality of the interpretation while also giving the album a fresh sonic flavor. This becomes especially clear in the track “Meet Me in the Clouds“, which is like a cloud of cotton candy, only instead of sugar, it’s made of dreams and hopes. The lightness of form is deceptive; inside lies a complexity of emotion, and that’s where the magic truly is.

I can’t help but highlight the track “Stay ” – one of the most melodic on the album. It’s something like a dessert with an unexpected filling: at first everything seems familiar, the taste is recognizable, but inside a whole bouquet of nuances is revealed: airy foam, bursting berry spheres, a slight tartness and sweetness that together create an entirely new experience. Just like in the track: familiar synthpop motifs are unexpectedly complemented by unusual arrangements and emotional shades, making Stay the highlight of the album. And yet, the track “Until The Summer Ends” becomes the true culinary finale of the album. The singer masterfully weaves synthpop elements into the song, shimmering synthesizers and airy beats, and around the main vocals, various sonic accents scatter like sprinkles. The result is a rich ending that leaves a bright and memorable aftertaste.

The debut album “Voyager ” by I Am Boleyn is like a dinner prepared by an experimental chef who isn’t afraid to mix tradition with innovation. The music becomes a gastronomic exploration, where you want to keep tasting to catch all the nuances and unexpected accents. In short, if you’re tired of your usual playlists, listen to “Voyager”, and let your ears “feel like true gourmets”.

I am going to end there. Connect with I Am Boylen on social media and go and experience Voyager. This is an album from an artist that is going to play some really big stages. I say this about a lot of artists (and mean it), but you know that this is the case with I Am Boleyn. So humble and talented, you wish this wonderful artist…

ALL the success in the world!

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Sam Liddicott