Opening with a choral, harmonising soundscape reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, the debut single from local artist (and former The Redroom frontwoman) Rosie Larada begins with the kind of majesty that local promoters have been promising.
Morphing into a Prefab Sprout and Style Council-influenced blend of acoustic indie-pop, the focus of ‘Better Off’ shifts towards Larada’s vocals and her gift for crafting infectious, earworm melodies.
Supported by Libertines drummer Gary Powell, ‘Better Off’ is a formidable debut: a hard pop exterior supporting a warm, intimate narrative and expressive vocal performance. There is a confident sense of arrangement throughout, with the production allowing space for the song’s melodic core to shine without losing its initial choral grandeur.
Rosie’s voice sits at the centre of the track, carrying both emotional clarity and subtle vulnerability, while the instrumentation builds and recedes with understated precision. The result is a debut that feels both polished and heartfelt, balancing ambition with accessibility.
There is a clear sense of identity already forming here, and ‘Better Off’ suggests an artist with the confidence to blend classic influences with a contemporary indie-pop sensibility. It is an assured first statement that lingers long after it ends.
Rosie is one to watch, without question.
