A Chat with Noble (03.06.26)
Noble, a Dutch singer-songwriter, has crafted her artistic journey around exploration, continuously evolving her sound while staying true to sincere storytelling. With recent releases like ‘chasing space’ and ‘Ugly Heart’, she is stepping into a new chapter that feels both fresh and profoundly authentic. We chat with Noble about all things music below.
OSR: Congratulations on the release of ‘Ugly Heart’. What was the first spark of inspiration behind the song?
Noble: Thank you so much! I guess I would say the first spark of inspiration came when I watched the Manosphere documentary by Louis Theroux. I initially didn’t really think about writing a song about that show, but once my producer (Paul Aiden) and I laid down the foundation of the guitar melody, I was feeling the vibe of a good, empowering boundary-setting song. You know, for all the men who think they can use women for their own ego. I just had a message for these “Red Pill men” that, in reality, most women would pack up their bags and leave if they ever found out their true colours.
OSR: You mentioned that the track began with a guitar riff from producer Paul Aiden. What was it about that riff that immediately resonated with you?
Noble: What usually happens when Paul and I write a song is that I tell him to play what he’s feeling! If I like it, we build off the chords, and if I don’t feel it, he finds a new chord progression. While writing ‘Ugly Heart’, he was basically spot on from the get-go. We only ended up changing one chord. When that chord was changed, I instantly felt a boost of inspiration. I heard melodies and had lyric ideas. That’s usually when I know we’ve found a good riff.
OSR: ‘Ugly Heart’ explores themes of self-respect and authenticity. Why did you feel it was important to write about those topics right now?
Noble: I have a lot of people in my life, especially women, who have experienced relationships where their partner constantly wanted to take advantage of them. With my music, I want to be a voice for those who might not yet have the courage to leave their manipulative partner. I’ve also experienced a similar situation where I was manipulated by a guy who knew I lacked self-love. And boy, did he play me!!! From that experience, I’ve grown so much as a woman, shaped my boundaries, and gained self-respect, which has helped me live a happier life. Therefore, my song ‘Ugly Heart’ is for all the people who want to achieve that same goal — to walk away and live a better life.
OSR: The song was partly inspired by Louis Theroux’s documentary The Manosphere. How did that influence shape the lyrics and message?
Noble: When I watched that documentary, the main thing I kept thinking was, “Wow, these men are disgusting.” When I wrote ‘Ugly Heart’, I wanted to write from the women’s perspective on dating a manipulative man similar to the ones in the documentary. The first line, “you took my dreams, and then you threw them away,” kind of reflects how these types of men believe more in themselves than in the goals and desires of their female partner. The beginning of the song is also her perspective after the glass shattered and she realised how bad he was for her. My personal favourite lines are: “I’ll be packing up my suitcase, Imma leave your ass with love,” which is kind of a degrading way of saying I would LOVE to leave you!! I just thought it was funny putting it that way. The bridge has this talking bit where she says that he thinks he’s got it made in life, but all he really has is a shiny car and a big house. No real friends, family, or loved ones around. Which is actually kind of sad. But again, it’s the life they chose.
OSR: Your previous release, ‘chasing space’, introduced fans to your country-folk direction. How does ‘Ugly Heart’ build on that sound?
Noble: ‘chasing space’ was released one year after my folk/pop EP, True Calling. I wanted it to act as a transition between folk being my primary genre and country becoming my primary genre. I wanted to slowly transition into it, which is why I made it country-folk, basically to ease the audience into my new genre. Afterwards, I was able to release my first full country song, ‘Ugly Heart’. Another reason why ‘chasing space’ was a good foundation for ‘Ugly Heart’ is the story behind it. When I wrote ‘chasing space’, I wanted to write about driving off to the middle of nowhere to find some peace for myself. It was basically the turning point for me to start my healing journey. Once I went on that journey and healed myself, ‘Ugly Heart’ followed. That’s the song where I learned how to set boundaries with toxic people. Lastly, one thing the songs have in common is that they are both in search of personal freedom and happiness.
OSR: You’ve cited artists like Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain, and Ella Langley as influences. What lessons have you taken from those artists as a songwriter?
Noble: Kacey Musgraves is such a great lyricist. I really love how strong her storytelling is. Shania Twain has that sass that I love. I like to channel that energy when I write my boundary-setting songs. Ella Langley has very catchy melodies and strong lyrics. She inspires me to give my songs addictive melodic hooks.
OSR: What was the most memorable moment during the recording process for ‘Ugly Heart’?
Noble: I think it was when the production finally came together. Hearing the final product so close to being finished makes me sooo excited. I also really loved recording the claps in the song and all the vocal harmonies. I honestly love everything about the recording process; it’s so fun. And working with Paul Aiden is very easy and effective, which makes the journey feel effortless. I feel like we’re often on the same wavelength when it comes to music.
OSR: As someone who has explored pop-rock, folk-pop, and now country music, what does country allow you to express that other genres didn’t?
Noble: I feel like the country genre has such a bright and fun energy to it! I used to write somewhat sadder songs, mainly because I was in a very sad phase of my life. But now I’m living my best life!! Writing country songs and making my songs more upbeat as I go has actually been so refreshing and fun for me.
OSR: How have fans reacted to your transition into country music so far?
Noble: My fans have been very positive about this new change! Lots of them DM’d me saying, “I really feel like this is your genre, and I’m not just saying that to be nice.” I feel like they’re also very aware that my mood, music, and personality are all very aligned with each other. I’ve changed genres three times now, and most fans have still stuck around. That’s not very common. They are the best fans any artist could wish for.
OSR: If listeners take away one message from ‘Ugly Heart’, what would you hope it is?
Noble: To know your worth and walk away from people who intentionally try to dim your light.
Many thanks to Noble for speaking with us. Find out more about Noble on her Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Spotify, and YouTube.
