Molly Stone has never been afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve — but with The Softies, she lets it rest there a little more gently. The new EP gathers a collection of tender, stripped-back songs that reveal a quieter side of the singer-songwriter, one rooted in reflection, vulnerability, and unfiltered honesty. Spanning just 13 minutes, the project feels intimate and intentional, like flipping through pages of a diary written in soft pencil rather than bold ink.
From the playful self-awareness of Maybe I’m a Handful to the deeply personal grief woven through You Left So Suddenly, Stone explores themes of loss, longing, insecurity, and love with warmth and emotional precision. Influenced by the storytelling intimacy of early Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, yet unmistakably her own, she leans into simplicity — allowing raw melodies and candid lyrics to do the heavy lifting.
In this interview, Molly opens up about the emotional threads running through The Softies, the collaborators who helped shape it, and why vulnerability remains at the core of everything she creates.
What inspired the collection of softer songs that became The Softies?
It was never planned as an EP. These songs had been building up over time — some written years ago, some more recently — and at a certain point it just felt right to gather them together. The Softies became a way of gently introducing this quieter, softer side of me.
How did you decide which songs to include on this EP?
It was less about choosing songs and more about realising I had a little collection of softer tracks sitting there. I knew I loved them and wanted them out in the world — and honestly, I’m too impatient to drip-feed four singles. Putting them out together just made sense.
The EP feels intimate and stripped-back — was that a conscious choice during production?
Yes, definitely. I’ve always loved intimate, simple songs that feel really raw. Some of these tracks started out more heavily produced, but stripping them back felt more honest and more in line with how I wanted the songs to land. It really suited the messages too
Maybe I’m a Handful is playful yet poignant. How do you balance humor and vulnerability in your songwriting?
It’s one of my favourites. I wrote it with Nathan Thomas and Marc Rapson, and it came from such a relatable place — that feeling of asking yourself ‘am I too much?’, especially as a woman. I like that the language is really casual and honest, which lets the humour sit alongside the vulnerability without it feeling forced.
Can you talk about the emotional journey behind You Left So Suddenly?
That song is about losing my dad. There’s a bit of a running thread on the EP around father figures, and this one comes from years of quiet reflection — wondering how my life might’ve been different, for better or worse. It’s just me being really honest about losing him young and processing that as an adult.
How did the collaboration with Nathan Thomas on I Just Wanna Give You Love come about?
I know Nathan through Marc Rapson, and I’ve always loved his sound and overall vibe. The song wasn’t originally written as a duet, but once we started talking about it, he was the first person that came to mind. I’m so glad we went that way — he compliments the track perfectly.
The EP spans just 13 minutes — was brevity something you aimed for?
Not consciously, no — funnily enough there was actually another song meant to be on it that I forgot about. There wasn’t much planning around length; it was more about gathering the softer songs and putting them out together. It didn’t feel like an album moment, so an EP just felt perfect.
Who are your biggest musical influences for this collection, and how did they shape the sound?
For this collection, influences like Ed Sheeran’s earlier work and Taylor Swift’s more intimate tracks definitely come through — I’ve always loved softer, storytelling songs. That said, I don’t really think about influences when I’m writing; I mostly just follow the song and let it come out naturally.
How does writing softer, more delicate songs differ for you from your more upbeat or “edgy” tracks?
It’s really just a different energy and intention. I write based on the mood I’m in and what’s inspiring me at the time, and as humans we have so many different sides. I love being able to explore all of those — whether that’s softer and delicate or more upbeat and edgy.
Was there a particular song on the EP that was the most challenging to write or record?
Some of the songs had a long journey — I’d worked with a few producers who weren’t great, so I had to re-record a couple, which took them in a new direction. But working with Reya on the EP brought everything together beautifully. There were challenges, sure, but the music itself always felt natural.
What’s your process for creating melodies that feel both tender and emotionally precise?
I don’t really have a set process. When I write alone, the melody usually comes to me with the lyrics. When I write with others, it depends on who’s leading melodically. For me, it’s mostly about what feels right — not very technical at all.
How do you hope listeners feel after finishing the EP?
I hope they feel comforted, seen, and connected. I also want them to get a deeper sense of me — these tracks are raw, and I definitely plan to make more, so I hope they enjoy them!
Are there themes or emotions in The Softies that you think people will relate to universally?
I think themes like loss, self-doubt, longing, and insecurity come through. The EP covers a lot of emotions, and I’m really proud of the balance.
What role does vulnerability play in your music and your identity as an artist?
Vulnerability is central to who I am as an artist. I don’t want to pretend to be perfect — my songs are honest about my feelings, sometimes messy or raw. I hope that honesty encourages others to embrace their own imperfections. For me, it’s all about staying authentic.
Can we expect more intimate, stripped-back work from you in the future, or do you see yourself exploring different sonic directions next?
Both! This style is classic for me — I’ve always loved writing and listening to this kind of music, so there’ll definitely be more of it. But I also love exploring other genres, so expect a few surprises too!
