British singer/songwriter Maya Delilah finds inspiration all around her, aiming to spark creativity in young women globally while focusing on making music that allows for unrestrained and beautifully crafted expression. Her debut album, ‘The Long Way Round,’ showcases her genre-blending style and serves as an exciting introduction to one of North London's most dynamic new talents.
'The Long Way Round' – Maya Delilah
"I’m not making music to achieve fame; I just want to create."
North London's Maya Delilah is an exhilarating and inspiring new voice in the music scene. With impressive guitar solos, a rich voice, and a wide-ranging ability to blend genres, Delilah produces art that fosters connection and joy. Recognized as an Atwood Magazine Editor's Pick and one of our 2025 Artists to Watch, her music has consistently felt authentic and complete. From the vibrant fantasy of "Tangerine Dream" from her initial EP, 2020's Oh Boy, to the soulful jazz vibes of "Break My Heart Again" from her second EP, 2021's It’s Not Me It’s You, Delilah has always followed her creative instincts. This philosophy remains as she continues to explore her own unique path without confining herself to any one genre.
A few days before her highly anticipated debut album, The Long Way Round (to be released March 28 via Blue Note Records), Delilah sat down with Atwood Magazine to share insights about the album and her artistry, touching on her guitar idols and inspirations, creative process, and her aspirations as an artist – all of which reveal her as a vibrant and refreshing presence in music.
From her music to her style and personality, Maya Delilah is a remarkable act to keep an eye on. She has a spark igniting just below the surface, propelling her toward limitless success.
Maya Delilah © Rae Farrow
During our interview, Delilah opens by expressing how “surreal” it feels for her album to be released so soon. We then dive deeper into the album's details. She explains how it came to be, saying, “When I joined Blue Note, it was kind of a given that I would release my debut album with them, and it felt like the ideal label for that.”
Delilah shares, “Having already created two EPs and numerous singles, the difference in making a full album compared to a smaller project is enormous. It felt like I could truly pour my heart and soul into it, and I felt ready for that.” She admits to being somewhat uncertain about her style at the time but ultimately decided to incorporate all her inspirations into this album. “I was like, ‘I’m just going to do everything I want and release this record, no longer limiting myself to one genre.’”
That’s exactly what Delilah accomplished with The Long Way Round, a project rich in sound and lyrics, showcasing a clear range of influences that defines it as pure Maya Delilah.
"I'm going to do everything I want and put this record out, stopping the urge to restrict myself to one genre."
When discussing her influences for this project, Delilah reveals, “I revisited many records I listened to growing up.” She names Joni Mitchell, Prince, Don McLean, Rufus Wainwright, Tedeschi Trucks Band, John Mayer, and Norah Jones as her chief influences. She explains that while she has listened to them throughout her life, during this project, she dove deep into the nostalgia associated with their music and the records that resonated most with her—an aspect we'll explore further later in our interview.
At this point, we briefly discuss Prince’s impact on her song “Squeeze,” one of the singles leading up to the album. “He’s probably one of my biggest inspirations ever,” Delilah states. Interestingly, Prince is among the reasons Delilah pursued a music career, a topic we will delve into later.
Initially, we focus on her creative process and some specific songs. Delilah emphasizes that she never writes alone, declaring, “I’m not a bedroom writer; I always collaborate with others.” She explains this approach helps her stay focused and enjoy shared experiences. Delilah then shares that half of this album was created in a barn in Devon, owned by producer Pete Miles, who is known for recording everything on tape.
She adds, “I had two incredible writing trips where I'd invite five or six talented musician friends, and each day we’d write and record songs together.” As she describes it, this idyllic image of creatives coming together brings to life her experience of writing in the mornings and recording in the evenings with a live band. “It was a completely new way of working I had never experienced before, and now I want to keep doing it.” The album's second half was more digitally produced across London and LA, involving fewer collaborators but remaining “fun and creative.”
In total, the album took approximately three years to complete, with “Necklace
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British singer-songwriter Maya Delilah finds inspiration in various sources and aims to inspire that same creative energy in young women globally, all while creating music that embodies free and beautifully crafted expression. Her debut album 'The Long Way Round' serves as a master class in blending genres and offers an exciting introduction to one of North London’s most captivating new talents.