ARAYA

Araya is a British-Thai singer-songwriter currently based in Leeds. Her music is rooted in feeling, shaped by a sound that lives somewhere between folk, grunge, and dream pop. Pairing gentle introspection with an experimental edge, the result is something soft-spoken but striking.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Laura Marling, The Sundays, Zero 7, Kitty Craft, and Cocteau Twins, Araya blends confessional vocals with intricate guitar work, lo-fi textures, and layers of acoustic and electric instrumentation. It’s the kind of music that feels like a quiet room you don’t want to leave.

Her debut single, Crowded House, is a slow build — warm, melancholic, and carefully put together. The intimate lyrics carry a kind of grief that doesn’t come from being alone — but from being surrounded by people. “In a crowded house I still look for you, dear” lingers with a quiet kind of ache — like when you know someone’s gone, but your eyes still search for them anyway.

The track is part of her upcoming debut EP, which continues to shape her perspective as a songwriter: subtle, atmospheric, and thoughtfully produced. With a growing presence in the Leeds scene, Araya is part of a wave of new artists pushing against genre boundaries — crafting something reflective, intimate, and fully her own.