By Colin 
Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals’ classic Californian vibes with a modern pop twist have earned the Cornish collective comparisons to Stevie Nicks and HAIM. Recently highlighted as a BBC Introducing One To Watch for 2025, the band’s reputation has grown steadily, with a London show at Lafayette drawing the attention of pop icon Dua Lipa. As interest builds, the group now present their latest EP Witching Hour, led by the title track and focus single of the same name.
‘Witching Hour’ blends melancholy ’70s country rock with the nostalgic brightness of ’80s pop. The result is a sound that feels both timeless and immediate, pairing sweetly layered vocals with warm live instrumentation. Bailey describes it as “about that teenage ache of wanting someone you can’t have and being jealous of the girl who does. It’s that mix of longing and magic, when love feels impossible but you can’t help falling anyway.” The track captures that intensity with unfiltered emotion, creating an atmosphere that balances vulnerability and strength.
The song marks the completion of the Witching Hour EP, which also includes the previously released ‘Supermoon’, ‘Moonshine’, and ‘Chrysalis’. Together, these tracks trace the journey of growing up, from first loves and heartbreak to jealousy and hope, all set against a backdrop of shimmering heartland pop rock. Bailey and her band use sweeping arrangements and open-hearted melodies to explore the tension between innocence and experience.
Growing up, moving forward
Bailey explains, “This EP captures us at full stride. It’s about growing up and everything that comes with it, first loves, heartbreak, jealousy, hope, and the moments that change you.” Across the four tracks, those emotions orbit youth and longing, with each song reflecting a different stage of emotional discovery. ‘Chrysalis’, which closes the record, represents transformation. “It feels like breaking free, shedding old skin and stepping into something new,” Bailey says. “It mirrors our own journey too. We’ve grown so much together through making this music, and in many ways this EP feels like our own transformation, a closing of one chapter and the start of another.”
That spirit of renewal defines the band’s recent work. Their music sits somewhere between Sabrina Carpenter’s pop polish and Sam Fender’s anthemic sincerity. The blend of classic influences and fresh perspective makes their sound both familiar and forward-looking. The layered production keeps things organic, grounding Bailey’s expressive voice in guitars, harmonies, and rhythm that feel lived-in and real.
You can hear the evolution of a band stepping into their identity with confidence. Witching Hour feels like a statement of intent, emotionally direct, musically assured, and steeped in the nostalgia that defines their best work. Bailey’s voice carries the ache of unrequited love but also the optimism of moving forward.
Review
Witching Hour shows a band in sync and in control of their craft. Bailey’s stunning vocals sit at the centre, carrying both warmth and emotional power. Her tone recalls the richness and storytelling flair of Stevie Nicks, yet feels entirely her own. Across the four tracks, her voice glides between intimacy and strength, lifting the melodies without overshadowing the band’s organic sound.
Each song builds naturally on the last, moving from reflection to renewal. ‘Supermoon’ and ‘Moonshine’ shimmer with confidence, while ‘Chrysalis’ closes the record with quiet determination and grace. The EP captures a group refining their sound and identity, creating music that connects feeling to melody with precision and heart.
You can follow Bailey Tomkinson over on Instagram.