- Words Yazzi Gokcemen
Rising artist Lex Gibbon's new EP 'I've Got Something To Say' is challenging stereotypes of pop.
At just 18 years old, Hertfordshire-raised Lex Gibbon is releasing an EP. Mark your calendars for 17th November, in anticipation for I’ve Got Something to Say. Featured track titled ‘Own Advice’ is out now and offers a promising glimpse of what’s to come.
On a roll since releasing her first powerful pop single ‘Dear Hater’ in January 2022, the singer-songwriter has come out with six Spotify songs and collaborated with Anne-Marie while continuing to jet-set to walk all the major fashion week runways. And through all these endeavours, the ambitious young artist advocates body positivity and mental health awareness.
It’s not only career-smart but also personally pioneering that Lex is intertwining the latter undertaking with her music: via this creative outlet, she’s been processing and brazenly recounting experiences of being bullied and body-shamed as a teenager. The upcoming debut EP will be equally empowering and mark a significant milestone for Lex Gibbon, who’s clearly growing comfortable within herself. In ‘Own Advice’ she says as much, explaining that the heartfelt pop tune is a guide, “dedicated to my younger self and anyone else who might be feeling they are not enough”.
With these visceral lyrics and enthralling vocals, Lex is getting her voice heard and slicing through pure pop’s cliches. Tap into Lex Gibbon as she talks us through the many things she’s “got to say”…
Let’s talk about your debut EP I’ve Got Something To Say. The EP echoes your mission to change the status quo of beauty and stereotypes of what it means to be a pop star. What sparked the creation of the EP?
I wanted I’ve Got Something To Say to depict what it feels like to be a teenager in this day and age. From struggles with growing up all the way to body image. I want everybody listens to the EP to know that they’re not alone in whatever they’re feeling.
How do you want people to feel when they listen to it?
I want people to feel supported when they listen to my music, I want them to feel heard and like they’re never alone because chances are somebody else is feeling the exact same way that they do in that moment.
The EP features the recent single, ‘Own Advice’. It feels like a standout track unwinding big sisterly advice. What is the meaning behind the song?
‘Own Advice’ is exactly that, it’s the advice I wish my younger self had whilst I was trying to navigate growing up. I want young people who are in a similar position to be able to look to me for advice.
Through your music, we hear lyricism celebrating body positivity and self-worth. What made you want shatter stereotypical pop image in your music?
The body ideal for young women, especially in the pop music space is so outdated, I think that our body should be celebrated no matter what they look like because they do so much for us. I hope that by making the music I do and by other women seeing a curvy girl will make them feel beautiful in their amazing body’s.
What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with body image?
First of all, I would tell them that everybody has been there, everybody has struggled with their body image and it is so hard. My advice would be that they are absolutely beautiful, they remember that their body is so much more than what it looks like, after all it does so much for us.
Tell us about some of your earliest music memories. Do you remember the moment when you knew you wanted to become an artist?
I was five years old when I had my first singing lesson, and I told my mum that when I grow up, I want to write my own songs and be a singer, I’m on a mission to make that little girls dream a reality.
If you could give a message to your younger self, what would you say?
You are absolutely beautiful, please don’t change for anybody and never give up on your dream.
Which artists inspire you? Are there any in particular that have helped shape your sound?
Some of my biggest music inspirations are Raye, I love the way that she writes music, from the lyrics to the melody to the production. I just think she is amazing! Julia Michaels is another one of my huge inspirations I’ve really leaned on her music in tough times in my life and it’s always really helped me. I’ve always had a soft spot for Adele. She was my favourite artist growing up and I still love her music now.
Talk us through your creative process when writing and making a track, what does it look like?
I’ve fallen in love with songwriting over the last couple of years, it’s such an outlet for me to talk about whatever is going on in my life. I will normally come into a session with a really clear idea of what I wanna write about, and then me and a producer will get to writing. I really enjoy cowriting, you know what they say two heads are better than one. One of my favourite producers to write with is Jordan Lee’s I’ve been writing with him for about a year now and we are the dream team.
Describe your sound in three words.
Positive, empowering, relatable.
Who are some of your dream artists to collaborate with?
RAYE without a shadow of a doubt, she is so powerful, strong and I just love everything she stands for. This is me manifesting it, one day I will work with RAYE hahah.
You are the first teen model to walk the London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles fashion weeks. What made you want to delve into modelling? How did it all come about?
I really did fall into the modelling thing, I was singing at a fashion show and one of the designers spotted me and wanted me to walk in her upcoming shows. I’m so thankful for the experience.
If you had to pick a past or present artist to spend a day with, who would you chose?
100% Etta James! I love her music, and I think she’d be such an insightful woman to sit, and talk to about all things music.
As you continue to entice more listeners with you pop-infused sound, what have been some of the most memorable milestones in your career so far?
Honestly getting this interview is such a huge deal and I’ve been reading about my favourite artists for years on Notion! ‘Own Advice’ being played on Radio 1’s ‘Future Pop with Mollie King’ has literally blown my mind, I’ve been been dreaming of this moment since I was so young! Another has been being granted the next gen fund from Youth Music, it really has been an honour to be granted the fund along with some other incredible emerging artists. Being supported by BBC Introducing and doing an acoustic session was amazing. Being asked to perform at Jodie Bryant’s ‘Discover Live’…. There have been so many more milestones but these are just a few!
Aside from your music aspirations, what are some of other goals in life you’re striving to achieve?
Aside from Music another huge passion of mine is body positivity, as a young woman growing up in an age where social media is so prevalent. I’ve struggled with my body image a lot, so I hope me talking about body positivity can help some other people feel a little bit better about themselves.
What’s next for Lex Gibbon? Where do you see your music journey going next?
As always, lots of new music will be coming out in the New Year and hopefully a headline show in the early end of next year. Keep up-to-date with all things Lex Gibbon on all socials @lexgibbon