At sixteen, most of us are just trying to survive school, friendships and our own feelings – not dropping a debut EP. For Freya Skye, though, this kind of early brilliance seems almost inevitable. The 16-year-old singer, songwriter and Zombies 4 star has officially stepped into her pop era with stardust– a five-track debut dripping in personality, heart and incredible talent.
If her name is new to you, it won’t be for long. Skye has already made an impact on screen, but stardust proves she’s far more than an actor dabbling in music. She’s a fully formed pop artist with a clear sense of identity, a powerful voice and songwriting instincts well beyond her years. She’s only just begun performing her own headline shows, with US and UK tour dates lined up later this year, and Australian dates hopefully not too far behind.
First things first: the vocals. She belts with ease, floats through high notes effortlessly and stacks rich harmonies. There’s a maturity and control here that makes it genuinely surprising to remember she’s only sixteen. This is raw, natural talent- the kind you can’t teach.
That talent runs through every part of stardust. Beyond the vocals, Skye’s songwriting is where she further shines. Her storytelling, melodies and lyrical instincts feel honest, diaristic and emotionally sharp, impressive for any artist, let alone someone still in their teens. There’s a carefree, girly-pop energy across the EP, but it’s balanced with vulnerability and self-awareness in a way that feels very now.
The EP opens with “silent treatment”, a single that’s already racked up streams and radio airplay, and for good reason. It’s an instant banger, driven by a massive, shout-along chorus that demands to be screamed in the car with the windows down. Fans of Olivia Rodrigo will feel right at home here; it’s punchy, emotional pop done right.
“petty” follows, and it’s an immediate standout. Chronicling the fallout of a broken friendship, the track manages to be playful, funny and wildly catchy despite its subject matter. The melody lodges itself in your brain almost instantly, making it one of the EP’s most replayable moments.
Then comes “golden boy”, the emotional centrepiece and arguably the strongest track on stardust. Raw and confessional, it carries the same diary-on-the-floor honesty that made songs like ‘drivers license’ hit so hard. Skye’s vocals are stunning here, filled with vulnerability and unrestraint, letting the emotion do the work. Fans have already begun speculating about who the song might be about, but ultimately that doesn’t matter- to put it simply, it’s just a really bloody great song that hits you right in the chest.
“maybe tomorrow” shifts the mood again, leaning into softer, acoustic territory with clear Gracie Abrams-style undertones. It feels unfiltered and intimate, capturing the quiet ache of heartbreak with devastating simplicity. The lyric “boys will just do what they do” says everything it needs to, and nothing more.
The EP closes with “why’d you have to call” a slow-burning finale that builds beautifully from a stripped-back intro into a euphoric, disco-tinged chorus. It’s easy to imagine a room full of fans shouting the words back at her- a future live-favourite in the making.
stardust is a joyful, emotionally sharp debut that announces Freya Skye as a serious new voice in pop. It’s carefree, fun, and deeply impressive. It’s the sound of an artist just getting started, but already operating at a remarkably high level. For fans of Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, and great pop music in general, Freya Skye is absolutely one to keep firmly on your radar.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
