London Singer-Songwriter Essence Martins Releases Introspective Single Red Velvet

Essence Martins, the London‑based singer‑songwriter, dropped her new single “Red Velvet” on 29 July 2026. The track follows her 2025 releases “Please, Don’t Wake Me” and “Can We All Slow Down,” and arrives a year after her debut EP Sleeping On It.

Martins’ music blends indie pop, folk and soul, a mix that first caught attention with Sleeping On It. “Red Velvet” carries that lyric‑driven style forward, but the artist says it feels more personal than any of her earlier work. In a recent interview with Still Listening, she described the song as “filled with memories, specifically good memories, a rose‑tinted nostalgia.” She added that the urgency comes from a deliberate tempo bump of about four beats per minute.

The single follows a touring period that broadened Martins’ perspective on her own songwriting. She has opened for rising acts such as Paris Paloma, Cat Burns and Maisie Peters, experiences that reinforced her belief that her songs resonate across Europe. She notes that audience reactions—people telling her that a lyric “really hit them” or that a song “is exactly what they went through”—confirm the authenticity she strives for.

Martins’ background in elite tennis adds a unique layer to her narrative. She has said that the competitive nature of sport contrasts with the self‑competition she now faces in music. In tennis, the opponent is clear; in music, her only rival is herself. That shift has shaped her ambition, which she describes as choosing the right gigs and career moves rather than chasing external rankings.

Her creative community is rooted in North‑West London. She met most of her band members at university, and the group’s collaborative arrangement work influences what ends up on record. She also collaborates with close friends Hayden and Alison, singers and artists in their own right, which has opened doors to a wider network of songwriters and producers.

When asked about inspiration, Martins highlighted a book she keeps in songwriting sessions: Wise Words for Women. She says she opens it to a random page when stuck, and a title or phrase often sparks an idea. She also mentioned that she grew up listening to a mix of R&B, 90s soul and folk, and that her current influences include Paramore, Norah Jones, Olivia Dean, Dora Jar, Aurora, Laura Marling, Clairo, Arlo Parks, Billie Marten and Lizzy McAlpine.

Authenticity remains a recurring theme in her work. She believes audiences crave genuine expression, especially in an era of heavily curated social media personas. She has spoken openly about imposter syndrome, noting that the feeling fluctuates but has become less intense as she recognizes that many artists share the same doubts.

The release of “Red Velvet” also marks a new chapter in Martins’ career trajectory. The single’s focus on memory and time reflects a broader preoccupation with the passage of time that she has expressed in previous interviews. She says that “time feels like a recurring thread” in her recent writing, and that she wants to make the most of the limited time she has.

With “Red Velvet” now available on streaming platforms, Martins continues to build momentum ahead of her next project. While no official announcement has been made regarding a full‑length album, the single’s release signals that she is actively expanding her catalog and refining her artistic voice.

In summary, Essence Martins’ latest single demonstrates her growing confidence as a songwriter, her commitment to authenticity, and the influence of her touring experiences and creative community. The track’s release on 29 July 2026 positions her for continued visibility in the UK indie‑pop scene.