After nearly a year of successful single releases, rising Scottish artist NATI. has finally unveiled her eagerly awaited sophomore EP, Golden.
Following the raw, coming-of-age exploration of her debut EP Older, the second EP Golden emerges as an introspective and healing journey for NATI. “Golden is the kiss goodnight, the cathartic tears, and the sigh of relief,” NATI. shares. “It’s about searching for the best version of yourself and nurturing them. Celebrating the tiny huge things and making them matter. It’s about cherishing what you have instead of longing for something massive. It really is a healing EP, and writing it was incredibly healing for me.”
Marking a shift from survival to revival, Golden embraces themes of self-discovery and emotional growth. While Olderwas infused with the chaos of growing pains, this new collection offers a gentler, more reflective perspective. Sonically, NATI. expands beyond her acoustic folk roots, introducing rich electric guitars and pop-inflected indie folk textures that mirror her personal transformation. Despite this evolution, she maintains her distinctive artistic essence and unapologetic Scottish authenticity, which has won her a devoted following.
From the sun-drenched ‘Heard It All Before’ to the amber-tinged title track and the haunting ‘Midnight’, each song on the EP paints a distinct emotional landscape. However, it’s the focal track, ‘When I Find Her’, that emerges as the electrifying centrepiece of Golden, written in collaboration with Prentice Robertson of Vistas and produced by Kieran Smith, the song challenges sanitized self-care narratives.
“Sometimes self-care isn’t always pretty bubble baths and cups of tea,” NATI. explains. “It’s crying yourself to sleep, sweating at the gym, and cutting people out of your life.” The track captures the messy yet magnificent journey of self-acceptance, urging listeners to embrace their complete selves. NATI. continues, “We’re constantly searching for that optimum version of ourselves. So when you find them, be kind so that they last.”
Blending electric and acoustic guitar with an innovative percussion palette, NATI. incorporates unconventional sounds—zips, beer bottles, and coffee jars—into a punchy folk-pop fusion. “There are whispers, there’s screaming, and there are mighty acoustic stabs because we wanted this EP to have a raw and live feel, and I think we accomplished that,” she adds.
Born and raised in Fife, NATI. has swiftly risen in the music scene, amassing over 2 million social media followers. Her breakthrough moment arrived in 2022 when she toured with some of her favorite artists, including Tidelines, Newton Faulkner, and Simply Red. Following the release of Older in 2023, she embarked on a UK tour, adding two successful solo tours and numerous support slots to her name. Festival crowds have flocked to see her at TRNSMT, Belladrum, Kendal Calling, Skye Live, Tiree Music Festival, Beardy Folk, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Secret Garden Party.
Continuing her meteoric rise, performing alongside The Waterboys and McFly while captivating audiences at major festivals, the new EP highlights the ever building potential that NATI. possesses.
Listen below:
