Starting over takes guts, especially when you’ve already built a name for yourself. But favourite daughter, formerly known as Lauran Hibberd, had good reasons to do it. The London-based artist wanted to make music entirely on her own terms, and her debut EP, bragger’s rights, brings together seven songs written on those terms. Sharp humour, emotional chaos and honest confessions make growing up sound like one big, ridiculous adventure.
Written and recorded in Nashville with producer Phil Gornell, the project explores relationships, sobriety, identity and the uncomfortable process of growing up. Eighteen months in the making, and created alongside some of her closest friends, the EP represents a considerable personal and financial investment. Having spent years making music, favourite daughter considers these her favourite songs so far, celebrating the freedom of finally making her own decisions.
The title track, bragger’s rights, finds her celebrating the achievement of getting over herself after spending far too long obsessing over an ex. Meanwhile, sick joke explores the trap of repeatedly choosing the wrong person because being alone feels even more terrifying. She’s also recorded the entire EP live from her living room, recently sharing a performance of sick joke on YouTube, with more to follow. Closing track feelers captures the confusion of approaching thirty while still feeling seventeen.
“I have a genuine fear of my phone getting stolen and them reading my notes app,” she admits. “This EP is basically me saving them the trouble.” It’s a fitting description of a record that turns uncomfortable personal truths into infectious alt-pop songs.
Having toured with Deaf Havana, supported All Time Low at London’s O2 Arena and sold out her first headline show as favourite daughter, she’s continuing to perform under her new identity. After eighteen months of putting everything into these songs, she’s eager to make more. For an artist who once feared starting again, that’s probably the biggest achievement of all.
