August 29, 2025 |
Luvergirl is Mahalia‘s love letter to the woman she is. With her energetic beats and infectious rhythm, the Leister-born artist’s latest EP is made for moving whether that be a “first bump in the club or a whine in the soca rave.”
Stepping away from her past EP ILY, which leaned into a ’90s inspired R&B, Luvergirl echos a more grown, beat-enthralled sound filled with confidence, warmth and the good vibrations of her smooth vocals and simmering tone. Co-written with Eric IV, BenjiFlow, Savannah Jada and Knucks, the title derives from her nickname lovingly given to her by friends who boast about her fearlessness when it comes to the highs and lows of love, “falling in doesn’t scare me, falling out doesn’t scare me, the pain doesn’t scare me. If anything, it kind of inspires me,” says the British soul singer. Luvergirl stands with its unapologetic and self-assured voice, while channelling the freeing feelings and romance encompassing summer.
The first track to be released, Instructions, serves as a blueprint to the perfect night out, one brimming with dancing, drinking, friends and, of course, a ‘luver’ saying she’s “always wanted to make a record that told people exactly what to do – and this is finally it!” The music video to go alongside is the picture for a night to remember, featuring Mahalia fanning herself in the club whilst moving with the infectious vibrations of the energetic crowd and bouncy, soul-fuled tune – it’s more than a mood, it’s a manifesto.
With a 2021 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance under her belt, the singer enters this new chapter in all its bold and daring forms to honour her most authentic voice yet. Here, we sat down with Mahalia to talk about live performances, Pornstar Martinis and being a certified Luvergirl.
1. How would you describe Luvergirl in three words?
Grown, sexy and fun.
2. What’s you favourite thing about collaborating with other artists?
Honestly just getting their side of the story. I think it’s the best thing ever when you make a piece of art and then someone comes and puts their flavour on it. So, for me it’s just about both of us telling a slightly different side on the story. I think it’s gorgeous.
3. How would you describe your love language?
Silly would be my describing word. Obviously, I have my love languages like touch and time, and as I’m getting older I think I’m definitely a words of affirmation type of girl. I think I do like to be told when I’m doing a good job. But for me I think it’s quite silly when it comes to love, and I like to give love in a fun way and keep it light. And in the right moments give it some seriousness too. But for the most part I just like to smile.
4. What inspired this Luvergirl?
I think really what inspired this EP was me having a little bit of a personal reset and really coming into my own. Really kind of going in on this journey of falling back in love with myself and my body and how that relates to dance, which is really funny – when I was making the project I said “I just want to dance, I wanna be able to dance to every song. Whether it be a slow whine on a jump up in the club, I just want it to feel like I can move to it”.
5. What green flags do you look for in a partner?
I love a domesticated man, I do. I like having a partner who will cook and clean and do lovely stuff for me and I’ll also do the same for them. Talking to waiters nice or just people in service period. I think that people who talk to people in service badly are the worst sort of people. I like, and I think because my dad used to do this, I like a man who walks on the car side of the road. I didn’t know that was a think until once I was walking with my dad at home and I was walking on the road side and he was like “what are you doing? Come on the road side”. I think it’s quite interesting being an independent woman because you feel like you’re always relying on yourself, always protecting yourself before anybody else and I think having somebody making you feel protected is lovely.
6. What’s the most Luvergirl thing you’ve ever done?
The most Luvergirl thing I’ve ever done is getting it tatted on my back. It almost feels like a tramp stamp but it’s not because it’s on my shoulder, but I think maybe that. Or one time I got broken up with, like totally dumped by this guy and I hand delivered a letter to his house pleading for him back. Which maybe I shouldn’t admit but I’ve admitted it so there we go.
7. If Luvergirl was a cocktail, what would it be?
I think it would probably be a Pornstar Martini. I think that little bit of passion fruit in the top, the colours, the purple, the yellow, it feels very Luvergirl. The rounded glass is always beautiful, and that little shot of prosecco is so naughty.
8. What is your favourite thing about performing live?
People’s faces, it’s absolutely unmatched because I think sometimes I’ve always been someone who, in the grand scheme of the world, feels really small and feel like I’m having my tiny little imprint and I’m going to leave everything behind; there’s something about being on stage and having people look at you, and whether you know your 30 or 300 or 3,000, the way that their eyes light up is really crazy and in moments quite intense. It just makes me feel really grateful that I could have that effect on people’s lives, even just for a small moment.
9. Who is your favourite up-and-coming artist?
I have to say immediately Sasha Keable. It’s really weird calling her up-and-coming, because I’ve loved her forever. Essence Martins is one of my favourites. Rubii is one of my favourites, she’s a midlands girly and I love that. Ruti, one of my favs. I also want people to really not forget about No Guidnce, a fab boy-band and they’re just brilliant; totally through and through R&B, brilliant singers, brilliant writers. That’s like my tops right now.
10. What does the rest of the year hold for you?
Quite boring of me but time off. I got signed to Atlantic Records when I was 13, I’m 27 now, so we’re coming up to 15 years and my foot has been permanently on the gas the whole time. I would love to just take a little second, figure out what I want to do next, where I want to go musically, spend some time out of the country. Yeah, I’m really excited to just take a beat.
Photography courtesy of Mahalia.
