“Cookie Jar” by Peyton Gilliland

Peyton Gilliland is an artist whose determination to make-it translates directly into what the 19-year-old has achieved so far. Already boasting hundreds of thousands of listens on Spotify, the singer had two songs named as finalists in the famed John Lennon International Songwriting Contest, and cites a production team headed up by none other than Cage The Elephant founding member Lincoln Parrish. Back with a new single, “Cookie Jar” dares listeners to take on the confidence Peyton and her music excudes.

She may have started singing in church, but it was a love for rock that saw Peyton creatively link up with Lincoln Parrish aged just 15. She may only be a year outside of her high school graduation, but the artist is currently in the process of mastering her EP with Parrish, alongside GRAMMY winners Brian Chirlo, (Amy Winehouse, Justin Bieber) and Mads (Imagine Dragons). Her guitar heavy sound is attracting the big names for good reason.

A fast-paced throwback song with modern rock elements, “Cookie Jar” brims with an authentic and fiery attitude, led by the commanding hook, “Hands out of my cookie jar”. The track offers female empowerment with a twist, and speaking about her songwriting Peyton offers: “In the last few years I had to learn how to pick better boys,” she half-jokes, “That and learning not to pin my happiness on other people was a big one for my mental health… Though it did give me great song material.”