A Chat with Molly Stone (27.10.25)
Rising singer-songwriter Molly Stone is stepping into her own spotlight with a series of original releases that mix relatable storytelling with a cheeky, modern edge. After the release of her latest single, ‘Just a Girl’, we chat with the songstress about all things music below.
OSR: How has your journey from sharing covers online to releasing original music shaped you as an artist?
Molly Stone: I think starting with covers really helped me develop my singing and learn how to tell stories through lyrics — which is one of my favourite parts of music. Moving into originals felt so vulnerable at first, but also incredibly liberating. Once I started, I realised I could write whatever I wanted, and the right people would connect with it and appreciate it.
OSR: And how does writing original music differ for you compared to doing covers online?
Molly Stone: Well, the main difference is that these songs come straight from me — they belong to me. It’s far more personal, and honestly, it’s been really healing to write and release my own music. I’ll always love singing covers because I’m such a fan of other artists and their work, but having my own originals out in the world feels so special. And it’s such a completely different experience creating a song from start to finish rather than just learning one
OSR: You describe yourself as “girly, bratty, soft, bold.” Which side of that personality comes out most in your live performances?
Molly Stone: I honestly don’t know yet, because I haven’t had much live performance experience. It’s something I really want to do more of, but it still makes me super nervous. I think once I’m doing it regularly, it’ll probably be a mix of all those sides — girly, bratty, soft, and bold — just naturally coming out on stage.
OSR: What inspired you to write ‘Just a Girl’, and how did the concept evolve in the studio?
Molly Stone: I’ve always found women and girlhood incredibly inspiring to write about. I love the power in femininity, especially how it contrasts with the patriarchal view of what being feminine means. Society tends to label us as submissive or soft, but I like the idea of using that perception as a disguise. We can be nurturing and powerful — a force to be reckoned with — and the world’s never quite as ready for that as it thinks.
OSR Can you walk us through your creative process when working with Leve and REYA on this track?
Molly Stone: Writing with Leve was a totally new experience. I hadn’t met him before that day, but he was so lovely. He really took the lead and nurtured the session. I came up with the concept of the song, and we worked together on the lyrics. It was so fun! We got the demo done in just one day, and honestly, it was so perfect we probably could have released it as-is. When I got back to the UK, I worked with REYA to finish production and polish it for release, and her style complemented Leve’s work perfectly
OSR: Which artists or songwriters have most influenced your sound, and how did they inspire this single?
Molly Stone: I’ve had a lot of different influences over the years and gone through a few phases. I used to be really into indie, rock, and pop-punk, and now I’m more into singer-songwriter and pop. Sonically, ‘Just a Girl’ leans more into Leve’s influences since he led the production, while I focused on the lyrics. The combination created a unique sound I probably wouldn’t have explored on my own.
OSR: What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from ‘Just a Girl’?
Molly Stone: I’m really hoping that the listeners find the song to be empowering and inspiring. I would like them to listen to it and maybe it makes them feel stronger in themselves.
OSR: How do you use storytelling to flip narratives or challenge expectations in your songs?
Molly Stone: I like to paint a picture with my songs. When I start writing, the story often feels like it’s unfolding in front of me rather than me deciding it. I love playing with words and sneaking in subtle messages, little hidden lines that feel like private jokes for anyone who notices them. I’m also a huge fan of sarcasm.
OSR: How do you handle pressure or expectations, especially as a young female artist in pop music?
Molly Stone: I just keep moving forward and stay curious about what I can achieve. I definitely have doubts, but I try to stay blindly optimistic. I’m also really lucky to have amazing support around me. I’ve had some tough encounters in the industry, but they led me to the people I work with now, and I couldn’t be happier with that team. I try to remind myself that every experience or doubt that I have is something that most other artists will have also experienced. So, carrying on and not letting the negatives dishearten you seems to be one of the keys to success.
OSR: What advice would you give to other rising singer-songwriters trying to find their voice?
Molly Stone: I think the main advice that has really helped me is to just create what inspires and feels right to you. The audience will find you, and the more authentic you are, I think the better people will connect. Less of trying to write like different artists or sing like different artists, just be raw, and you will find your niche.
Many thanks to Molly Stone for speaking with us. Find out more about Molly Stone on her Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube
