Persia Holder releases debut EP “I Didn’t Think You’d Hear This”

South London singer-songwriter and rising star Persia Holder, has released her debut EP “I Didn't Think You'd Hear This”.

The five track collection is deeply personal. It fuses vulnerable lyricism, emotional storytelling, and striking vocals. Take a listen to focus track “Don't Wanna Take It Slow” below:

“That song is about navigating complicated friendships and feelings,” says Holder. “My best friends are also his best friends, so we had to find a way to coexist.”

From the raw, piano-led ballad ‘Baggage' — a reflection on the emotional weight we all carry — to the empowering anthem ‘Echo', where she reclaims her strength and independence, each song captures a different chapter of Holder's journey. ‘Now Or Never' channels the frustration of mixed signals, while new material like ‘Never Really There' and “Don’t Wanna Take It Slow” highlights her versatility, blending introspective songwriting with subtle, danceable production.

The EP also has a double meaning: despite her growing confidence, Holder didn’t think anyone would ever hear these songs. While her friends went off to university, Holder instead started modelling and used the income to kickstart her music career. Along the way, she battled dark and often insecure thoughts, turning those emotions into the raw, honest songwriting that defines her debut. 

“I honestly never thought anyone would actually hear these songs,” says Holder. “This EP is me being honest about my fears, heartbreaks, and growth. It’s scary, but it’s also freeing — and I hope people listening feel that too.”

Now 25 years-old, Holder grew up South London, born to a Scottish-Iranian mum who championed her dreams and a Grenadian-Trinidadian father who, to this day, she still hasn’t met. She is also estranged from her twin due to the mental health issues caused by their dysfunctional relationship. But her mum’s love of artists with big voices, such as Diana Ross, Rihanna, Marvin Gaye and Beyoncé helped spark Persia’s own passion for music. She gravitated to the piano as a kid to figure out what she was going through mentally by connecting that emotion, whether it was happy or sad, and in turn, better understand herself. That connection made her want to become an artist and songwriter.