‘Keeper’ – A new EP by May Payne

After the release of acclaimed singles ‘The News’ and ‘Pennsylvania’ earlier this year, emo-folk singer-songwriter May Payne is set to release an eagerly anticipated EP on Friday 13^th November, entitled ‘Keeper’.

May Payne has only just returned from not one, but two, tours this autumn: supporting both ‘Francis of Delirium’ and ‘Quiet Houses’ all around the UK. Luckily, I managed to attend a show in Manchester at YES (Basement), headlined by Quiet Houses, on October 14th. Payne played a stunning and intimate set, getting the audience right in their feels with an array of songs from her previous EP, ‘High Demand’, alongside some of her new releases.

Payne recorded ‘Keeper’ alongside Sean Roagan and Rhys Jiang in the living room of a remote Welsh cottage, where they created the warm and rustic sound that is so crucial to Payne’s music. They recorded the live instruments without a click-track or MIDI loop, allowing the melodies to ebb and flow, parallel to the touching narratives of the songs.

Alongside these comforting acoustics are incredibly earnest and personal lyrics from a self-proclaimed “chronic over-sharer”, allowing listeners to relate to her authentic storytelling. Payne captures an intimate account of the cycle of heartbreak, reflecting on insecurities in a new relationship after being damaged in the past.

“I feel safe, I feel cornered

You pull in, I retract”

The title track of the EP ‘Keeper’ is driven with sparkling acoustic melodies that build into an introspective, immersive instrumental. The previously unheard track is a warm welcome to the EP; these rich and full-bodied sounds are a tender, familiar constant throughout Payne’s work.

‘Solid ground’, the second track, is one of the many highlights of the EP. The fan-favourite is more upbeat, still having strong roots in the folk genre, but lending itself to an alternative-rock style. The organic, acoustic creation of the EP is evident within this track: the range of blossoming dynamics and emotionally driven vocals add to that sincere, rough-around-the edges feel. A touch of humanity that is much needed today. In a largely optimistic light, Payne describes the dichotomy of a new relationship where overwhelm and desire intersect.

“I’m so scared of what you’ll make me but I’ll talk myself around”

May Payne remarks that “it can be super isolating” when you are someone who feels things so strongly, when this should be something to be “shameless” about. Through her raw and vulnerable lyrics, she articulates the careful line between grasping for newfound happiness and anticipating the inevitable disappointment.

The almost eight-minute epic ‘Martha, I’m Sorry’ depicts devastating guilt around ending a relationship with someone you still love. Close harmonies, the layering of melancholic vocals, and varying dynamics aid the portrayal of the deep sorrow felt within this track. Payne’s soft and breathy vocals are a real stand-out feature of the track, creating a confessional atmosphere within the song. The culmination of the line “I cycle round repeating it” being sung alongside the literal repetition of “Martha I’m sorry” is a melodic masterpiece.

May Payne’s EP ‘Keeper’ is available on music streaming services on 13th November 2026, as well as on Vinyl available on her website. Payne is also playing a headline show, with support from Eleni Drake, to celebrate this release at Bermondsey Social Club, London, on November 19th.

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