Independent alt-pop artist Peyton Shay is back with her boldest track yet: Honest Baby, out now. A sultry rush of confidence and flirtation, the single fuses airy synths with biting guitar hooks, creating a sound that’s both seductive and dangerous. It’s late-night energy captured in music form—playful, direct, and unapologetically honest. “It’s about owning exactly how you feel and having fun with it,” Shay explains. “It’s playful, a little dramatic, and completely honest.”
Building on the success of her 2025 EP Daydream Police, which earned over 1.5 million streams and secured major playlist placements, including Spotify’s Young & Free and Apple Music’s New Pop Pick, Peyton is quickly proving that her music resonates far beyond streaming numbers. She’s shared stages with G Flip, had her songs featured on Apple TV+’s Shrinking, and can be heard in retail stores worldwide—each new platform introducing her signature alt-pop sound to fresh audiences.
From horror film sets to alt-pop stages, Peyton Shay’s journey is anything but ordinary. She sits down for 18 questions with 1883 to discuss her new track.
Your new single “Honest Baby” is sultry and playful — what inspired this track, and what headspace were you in while writing it?
With Honest Baby, I wanted to capture that late-night energy where everything feels bolder, flirtier, and a little dangerous. The track is really about leaning into attraction and saying exactly what’s on your mind—no filters, no second-guessing. I was in a space of letting go of perfection and just being unapologetic, creating something that felt playful and magnetic, but also completely honest.
You’ve said the song is about “owning exactly how you feel.” Was there a moment in your life that made you want to channel that energy into music?
I’ve always been a pretty real person, sometimes blunt. That honesty fuels my music. Owning how you feel can be messy—sometimes angelic, sometimes devilish—but that duality makes the themes dynamic. Music gives me space to explore both sides without filtering anything out.
The track balances confidence with vulnerability. How do you approach that balance when you’re writing?
I let both sides exist in the same space. Confidence without vulnerability feels hollow, and vulnerability without confidence can feel too serious. I aim for that push-pull: “I’m bold enough to say this, but it scares me too.”
The music video for “Honest Baby” is bold and magnetic. What was the most fun part of shooting it?
We tracked the song and filmed the video in one day—totally unconventional. Renting a random motel gave it this gritty, spontaneous energy I love. One of my favorite moments is the improvised driving scene at the end, made possible by Tesla’s Autopilot. Chaos + creativity = magic on screen.
You’ve described your sound as flirtatious but a little dangerous. What makes a great “dangerous” pop song?
It’s about the emotions it evokes. Not harmful danger, but the intoxicating rush of butterflies-in-your-stomach moments. A great dangerous pop song has tension—lyrically, sonically, and emotionally—that keeps you on your toes.
Your last EP Daydream Police earned over 1.5M streams and landed major playlist spots. How did that project set you up for this new release?
Daydream Police was the first time I fully let go of control and let the songs lead. The audience connection, from streaming to TV placements, gave me the confidence to approach Honest Baby with honesty, even if it was uncomfortable.
From horror films to alt-pop — what did your time in film teach you about storytelling in music?
Film taught me the emotional performance of music beyond singing. Both mediums are about telling a story and conveying truth creatively. Collaborating with talented creatives is always a learning experience and motivates me constantly.
What’s one exciting thing that happened to you this week?
Releasing Honest Baby had me on an anxiety-excitement rollercoaster. I also dropped the music video and might be wrapping up my next project. But real headline: my cat Keith officially got his Halloween costume—he’s Batman now.
Where was the last place you travelled to, and did it inspire your music?
I just returned from New York and Atlanta. New York gave me that restless, 2 a.m. lyric-writing energy. Atlanta felt fresh and vibrant, a first-time energy that lingered after I left.
What was the last thing you read or binge-watched that really stuck with you?
Severance, Sirens, and Adolescence. All three hit differently but have been living rent-free in my head.
Favourite memory growing up?
My first UK shows. I was terrified no one would care about my music, but it reminded me of staying up late as a kid teaching myself songs on YouTube. That mix of nerves and obsession made me realize I never wanted it to end.
What’s the last thing that made you laugh?
My cat Keith—he’s the weirdest, best cat ever. Also, I probably did something embarrassing this week that I’ll wake up laughing about in the middle of the night.
If “Honest Baby” were part of a movie soundtrack, what kind of scene would it play under?
Risky Business—Tom Cruise dance scene—or Pulp Fiction.
You’ve shared the stage with G Flip and had your music featured in Apple TV+’s Shrinking. What’s been your most surreal career moment so far?
Music in film and TV blows my mind; a soundtrack can shape an entire scene. Opening for G Flip was surreal—they’re the sweetest, coolest person ever, and their fans are amazing.
Who would be on your dream dinner party guest list?
Hozier, Freddie Mercury, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Favourite quote from a film or TV show that always stays with you?
“And I swear, in that moment, we were infinite.” — Perks of Being a Wallflower
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Classic. TikTok by Kesha also hits every time.
If you could manifest one thing for yourself this year, what would it be?
Tour, tour, and more tours. I’m obsessed with playing live and want to go international. It’s happening.
