Lily Forte – Don’t Gild The Lily (2026)
Lily Forte’s new album, Don’t Gild The Lily, feels like stepping into a time machine that still knows how to text back. Rooted in vintage jazz, classic rock, and old Hollywood glamour, the record revives familiar sounds without ever feeling like a costume party. Instead, Forte blends nostalgia with modern edge in this new record.
From the opening title track, ‘Don’t Gild The Lily’, Forte’s voice immediately takes centre stage. The way her vocals melt into the instrumentation is gorgeous. Think rich harmonies, warm textures, and a delivery that instantly brings Amy Winehouse to mind, yet remains completely her own. There’s confidence and personality in every note, and it sets the tone perfectly for what’s to come.
‘Stardust’ follows with a jazzy, piano-led atmosphere that made me picture her performing in a dimly lit bar, microphone in hand, completely in her element. It’s intimate and classy, like a scene from an old film brought to life. ‘Florida’s Finest’ is pleasant enough, but didn’t stand out as much compared to the tracks around it.
Then comes ‘Golden Sunshine’, one of the real highlights. The airy “oh” harmonies create an ethereal, dreamy intro that immediately pulled me in. There are subtle Lana Del Rey vibes here; cinematic, nostalgic, almost floating. The chorus brings back those layered harmonies in a way that feels orchestral and lush.
With ‘Miles to Go’, the energy shifts. It’s catchier and more upbeat from the start, with a sharper attitude in the lyrics: “My my my/ You made a mess this time/ You drained up all the life in the room…” There’s bite here, humour and a bit of sass. It creates a nice contrast to the softer moments on the album.
When we reach ‘Out of the Blue’, arguably one of the emotional cores of the album. The storytelling here is raw and unfiltered, full of heartbreak and confusion. The lyrics read almost like a diary entry you weren’t supposed to see, and Forte delivers them with such conviction that you can’t help but feel every word. It’s messy, dramatic, and a little chaotic, but in the best way.
‘The Luckiest’ brings a beautiful change of pace with gentle acoustic guitar and, later, a soft trumpet that adds a grand, cinematic touch. It’s tender and reflective, with background harmonies that give the song real emotional depth. One of the most elegant moments on the record.
‘Baby Burnt Us Down’ acts like a brief interlude. It is quiet, piano-based and under two minutes long. Short but meaningful, like a pause to breathe. ‘Loners on the West’ starts in a really interesting way, with a spoken conversation between Forte and a man before easing into the song. For a while, it feels more like she’s telling a story than singing, which pulls your focus completely onto the lyrics. When the instrumentation really kicks in around 1:28, the track fully blossoms.
The album closes with ‘Beauty in Everything’, a fittingly delicate and heartfelt finale. The simplicity of the piano and her voice is striking, and the lyrics feel like a personal statement. It’s honest, vulnerable and a perfect way to end the journey.
Overall, Don’t Gild The Lily feels like a love letter to the past, written with a very modern pen. Lily Forte moves effortlessly between jazz club intimacy, cinematic pop, and classic rock attitude, all tied together by her distinctive voice and strong sense of storytelling.
Find out more about Lily Forte on her official website, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
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