By Colin 
Freya Ridings is back and she’s fiercer than ever. Following a run of summer shows that proved why she remains one of the UK’s most magnetic live performers, including a sold-out Somerset House headline, Freya returns with her new single ‘Wicker Woman’. The track arrives with a striking video directed by Benjamin Darville, setting the tone for a bold new chapter that reclaims strength, identity, and ancestral fire.
Written by Freya and recorded in Los Angeles with Jennifer Decilveo, ‘Wicker Woman’ marks the first release from her forthcoming 2026 album. It’s a visceral call to arms, a song that bursts with defiance and emotion, inviting you to shout along until your voice cracks. Freya draws deeply from her Celtic roots, conjuring images of moorlands, stormy skies, and ancient rituals. Yet beneath the fury lies something tender: a connection to home, heritage, and the women who shaped her.
Freya calls it “a raw feminist breaking point, bone, blood, and roots ripped from the soil, set alight in a fire that cannot be ignored.” Her words ring true. The song feels elemental, as though forged in the same flames it celebrates. ‘Wicker Woman’ is not only a rebellion against silence but a reclamation of the self. Its lyrics simmer with pain and power in equal measure, finding catharsis in the act of burning everything down to build something truer.
A voice made for catharsis
From the opening moments, ‘Wicker Woman’ demands your full attention. Freya’s voice, clear, commanding, and emotionally loaded, cuts through a thundering backdrop of percussion and layered harmonies. Each line lands with purpose, her delivery walking the line between fury and freedom. The production, led by Decilveo, balances fire and restraint, allowing Freya’s performance to take centre stage. There is a cinematic intensity to the song, the kind that builds until you feel it in your chest.
Freya has always excelled at translating personal emotion into something universal. With her multi-platinum single ‘Lost Without You’, she turned heartbreak into a hymn of vulnerability. On Freya Ridings, she cemented her reputation as a songwriter who could make pain sound beautiful. Now, with ‘Wicker Woman’, she has entered a new phase defined by confidence, courage, and unfiltered honesty. This is Freya unchained, her voice unafraid to crack or roar.
Her track record speaks for itself: over a billion streams, 47 Gold and Platinum certifications, and a BRIT nomination for her debut album. Few artists reach that level of success while remaining true to their vision, and Freya continues to do so. Her blend of storytelling and vocal power connects deeply, both in recordings and on stage.
A rebirth in motion
‘Wicker Woman’ feels like the spark of a rebirth. It carries the hallmarks of her earlier hits, sweeping melodies and heartfelt delivery, but there is something new in the air: urgency. The kind of urgency that comes when an artist finds her footing again after the chaos of success. With a new label and a new creative partnership, Freya sounds revitalised and ready to tell stories that matter.
Her lyrics honour forgotten women and gods, but they also speak to modern experiences of identity and strength. The video mirrors this duality, weaving pagan imagery with Freya’s commanding presence. It is eerie, powerful, and deeply human, everything the song promises realised visually.
As she prepares for her 2026 album, ‘Wicker Woman’ serves as both statement and invitation. It reminds you why Freya’s voice still hits harder than most and suggests her next body of work could be her most defining yet.
Review
‘Wicker Woman’ is a thrilling return, bold, anthemic, and emotionally precise. Freya’s songwriting remains exceptional, but it is her performance that elevates the track into something unforgettable. The balance between rage and release feels perfectly judged, making this one of her strongest singles to date.
What makes the song special is not only its message of empowerment but its delivery. The production has bite, yet it never overshadows the vocals. It is the sound of an artist stepping fully into her power. ‘Wicker Woman’ does not whisper; it howls.
You can follow Freya Ridings over on Instagram.