Polly Money’s solo recordings couldn’t be further removed from the context she’s become known for lately in her role as the guitarist and backing vocalist for The 1975’s massive stadium shows. In stark contrast to Matty Healy’s bleacher-reaching new wave, Money’s songwriting sensibilities favor understated hooks and still-raw lyricism largely documenting first-time queer romantic encounters and the first-time separations that follow.
The Cornwall-born artist demonstrates her range on her new T-Shirt Nothing Else EP, displaying her proficiency with the type of gentle folk-rock and tender lyricism boygenius have helped make popular on early cut “i’m not proud,” while the subsequent “30 Minutes” feel indebted to ’00s R&B when the beat drops. EP closer “Anything” even flirts with The 1975’s loping sophisti-pop sound, albeit scaled down to the bedroom proportions previously established by Money and producer Connor James across the four prior tracks.
With the EP out today via CoolOnline, Polly Money walked us through the release track by track, sharing how each composition came together. Find her words and stream along below. You can also order the project here.
1. “Milk & Honey”
This track started in a hotel room in Vienna on a guitar I picked up in Seattle. It was kinda clunky at first and the chords were weird, but I loved the idea so I sent it to Connor James (one of the main producers on this EP) who started building a track around it. It’s my song for young queer love and the trials and tribulations that come with those first queer experiences. It’s a “you’ll be OK, I promise” hug to baby Polly.
2. “i'm not proud”
I began this track in Chile at, like, 2 a.m. Connor had sent me the main rhythm guitar idea and I thought, “I’ll just see what comes out.” I really wasn’t fussed on it at first and went to bed thinking it would never get used, and now it’s one of my favourite songs. It’s more of a naughty song about fantasizing about somebody you probably shouldn’t be.
3. “30 Minutes”
This I distinctly remember writing in Connecticut because of Gilmour Girls. “30 Minutes” is about the first time you’re with somebody after a relationship. The guilt you can feel, the newness of someone, but also the desire and want for it to happen. It’s a song about a messy head. I love the outro for this—it’s a hopeful lift into the next track, which is a much happier song.
4. “T-Shirt”
“T-Shirt” has been around for quite some time. I wanted an interlude-type track for the EP, so I just rewrote it a bit. It’s my snapshot of a sunny morning doing nothing with the person you love. I want it to make you feel warm and golden.
5. “Anything”
“Anything” is my imposter syndrome song, but make it pop. It started from a very out-of-time voice note of a steel drum that was lying around in a rehearsal I was in at the time. I sent that over to Connor and he sent this track back that I just loved. I wrote the melody and lyrics pretty quick, and it was really the start of this project for me. It was the first song of recent years where I thought, “This is exactly how I want my music to sound right now.” I owe a lot to this little tune.
