ON TAPE: BEHIND-THE-ALBUM - HENRY MOODIE'S 'MOOD SWINGS'

Vasili Papathanasopoulos
8 minutes ago
2 min read

Watch our interview with Henry Moodie below!

British musician, Henry Moodie has unveiled his highly-anticipated debut album, mood swings. We caught up with our November 2024 cover star in London to unpack the release, his evolution, songwriting and so much more.

With his debut album, Moodie cements himself as one of Britain’s most emotionally articulate new voices. A songwriter who understands that growing up isn’t a single moment, but a messy, beautiful process of learning who you are. At just 21, Moodie channels the uncertainty, joy, and heartbreak of early adulthood into a body of work that feels both deeply intimate and quietly universal.

Across the record, he traces the contours of life in your early twenties; the late-night doubts, fleeting connections, and sudden bursts of self-discovery that shape a person. He writes candidly about friendship, love and forgiveness, but also delves into more complex corners of identity: exploring the nuances of mental health, the fluidity of sexuality, and the quiet search for self-acceptance that comes with growing up. There’s an unmistakable honesty in the way he tackles these themes - vulnerable but never fragile, reflective yet full of hope. His lyrics, while diaristic, never feel indulgent; instead, they strike that rare balance between personal confession and pop precision, the kind that invites listeners to see their own stories in his.

Moodie’s craftsmanship recalls the storytelling flair of a young Taylor Swift and the lyrical candour of Maisie Peters. Like them, he captures emotion with an instinctive sense for melody, turning moments of insecurity and revelation into songs that linger long after they end. The production complements his words perfectly; understated yet cinematic, allowing the emotional core of each track to take centre stage.

Having already amassed nearly a billion streams and earned accolades as one of the UK’s most promising emerging artists, Moodie approaches this debut not as a newcomer testing the waters, but as a fully formed writer ready to share his story. mood swings feels like a snapshot of a generation teetering between adolescence and adulthood, and Moodie stands at its heart - open, sincere, and unafraid to feel deeply. It’s a remarkable first chapter for a songwriter who seems destined to soundtrack the growing pains of a new decade.

Moodie will return to Australian shores next month, supporting Lauren Spencer Smith. Kicking off in Sydney on November 4, the run of shows will continue on to Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, before wrapping up in Perth on November 11. Tickets are on sale now.