There’s a quiet confidence running through Please, Don’t Wake Me, the new single from fast-rising alt-pop singer-songwriter Essence Martins. Built on delicate, finger-picked guitar and carried by the warmth of her voice, the track feels intimate and unguarded – the kind of song that invites you closer rather than demanding attention. In many ways, it signals the start of a new chapter for Martins: one where emotional honesty takes centre stage.
At its core, Please, Don’t Wake Me explores the delicate space between hope and heartbreak. Martins leans into the vulnerability of yearning, that slightly awkward, deeply human feeling of falling for someone while knowing it might not end well. Rather than shielding herself from the risk, she embraces it. The result is dreamlike yet grounded, a gentle meditation on situationships, emotional uncertainty and the quiet courage it takes to admit how much you care.
Martins’ path into music wasn’t always guaranteed. Raised in Northwest London in a music-loving household, she initially pursued tennis seriously, even earning a scholarship in the US. Eventually, though, her songwriting, which she’d shown a passion for from a young age, pulled her back home. Since making her debut in 2023, she’s quickly established herself as one of the UK’s most intriguing new voices.
Support from artists such as Rachel Chinouriri, Mahalia and Jill Scott has helped propel her ascent, while live appearances alongside Birdy, Cat Burns and Paris Paloma have sharpened her stage presence. This spring she joins Maisie Peters across Europe, stepping in front of her biggest audiences yet.
I was lucky to catch the one-off Paris Paloma show where Martins opened the evening. She’s captivating, warm and her musical honesty is captivating.
“Please, Don’t Wake Me” captures an artist growing into her voice, reflective, fearless and firmly in control of her own story.
Upcoming Shows
12 March – The Grace, London (supporting Hope Winter)Maisie Peters Tour (Support)
16 March – Brussels
18 March – Amsterdam
20 March – Berlin
21 March – Cologne
23 March – Paris
25 March – London, KOKO
