Who is Baylee Dowling? The debut release of ‘Not Turning Back’, soon to be Liverpool’s latest success!

You may not have heard his name yet, however I highly doubt it’ll be the last time you do. 

With the release of his debut single ‘Not Turning Back, Baylee Dowling will both bring you to tears and leave your heart full. Taking inspiration from the likes of Paolo Nutini, Fleetwood Mac and The 1975, Dowling is reinventing classic acoustic ballads into something so delicate, as just a singer with a guitar, yet so powerful and emotional.   

Whilst only writing the track when he was only 16 years old, it is clear that with age this song has matured beautifully – arguably one that could soundtrack any coming-of-age love story. Whether it’s Connell and Marianne, Dexter and Emma or Elio and Oliver – the relatability and timelessness and vulnerability of Dowling’s debut will speak to many with volumes. 

Speaking on the track, Dowling says ‘Not Turning Back was the first song I ever wrote on the guitar. It was written in about 20 minutes from what I can remember. I suppose this song is what its like to finally let go of someone you thought you would be with forever, how it takes a while before you can truly say you’re “not turning back” for them anymore.’

‘I can truly say this song is one of the greatest emotional ballads I may ever write. Its simplicity is nothing short of genius. Just me and my acoustic guitar in a studio behind a glass screen just letting it all out.’ 

Lyrically, the track speaks as a highly personal and intimate confession of love – it’s direct and doesn’t hide behind anything. The song really is just as vulnerable as its meaning, with just Baylee and his guitar, there is nowhere to hide. Every feeling of fear and susceptibility that partners the braveness of allowing yourself to fall in love is captured perfectly in this song, from its lyricism, the angelic voice of Dowling and the simplicity of the guitar that beautifully partners him. 

With the Liverpudlian music scene currently rife with enormous, high-hitting guitar riffs and sounds, Baylee is breathing a fresh approach to powerful songwriting into the city and re-approaching the powers one man and a guitar can have on the music industry. 

Baylee Dowling’s debut single ‘Not Turning Back’ is out now and available to stream exclusively on SoundCloud now.

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holly pimlott

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