NEW SINGLE ''BREAK MY HEART AGAIN'' OUT NOW
W: Wendy Rowe I: Matthew Robson
The London music scene is famously crowded, but Domi Hawken isn't interested in squeezing into a pre-existing lane. The singer-songwriter is currently midway through an audacious creative marathon: "12 in 12." In a digital landscape defined by fleeting viral moments, Hawken is taking the long road, releasing one original track every month throughout 2026 to build a definitive, genre-defying body of work. Drawing from a gritty cocktail of blues, folk, and alternative pop, Hawken’s sound is unapologetically guitar-driven. But it’s her philosophy on performance that truly sets her apart; in an era of curated vulnerability, Hawken embraces a sharper edge.
"There's an arrogance to it that I think is necessary. Music should have a point of view and not apologise for it."
Her latest offering, Break My Heart Again, serves as the high-octane engine of her 2026 project. It’s a track that underwent a rigorous evolution, pulled apart and rebuilt by Hawken and her band until it reached its final, formidable form. Unlike the melancholic title might suggest, the song is an anthem of finality—a sonic door slamming shut. Hawken explains that the track is about the moment you realise someone simply doesn’t get another chance, effectively reclaiming the power after being let down. It’s this refusal to play the victim that defines her lyricism; her songs aren't always diaries, but rather "hypothetical" versions of feelings designed to hit hard and fast.
Despite the outward confidence and the pre-show ritual of belting out 80s power ballads, Hawken is candid about the internal friction that comes with being a creator. When asked about her greatest obstacle, she doesn’t cite industry gatekeepers or budget constraints, but rather "general fear." This includes the fear of being judged and the fear of failure, obstacles she admits she hasn't fully overcome but has decided to ignore.
"The 12 in 12 project is a commitment to releasing things before fear has a chance to talk me out of it."
By committing to a monthly release schedule, Hawken has effectively hacked her own perfectionism. Her greatest weakness—the struggle to finish songs and let them go—has been countered by a deadline that refuses to budge. Her creative process usually begins with a single line or melody before the band transforms it into something fuller. This collaborative spirit ensures that while the songs are led by her vision, they carry a weight that demands to be heard in a live setting.
Hawken’s influences are a "who’s who" of lyrical heavyweights, ranging from the poetic depth of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan to the raw, modern energy of Phoebe Bridgers and Courtney Barnett. Yet, she isn't interested in being a tribute act. She sees herself as part of a contemporary wave of female artists who are prioritising autonomy over artifice, existing alongside the conversation rather than merely copying it.
As the year progresses, the monthly crumbs Hawken is dropping will eventually lead to a full-scale feast: a complete body of work and a string of live shows. If Break My Heart Again is the benchmark for what’s to come, 2026 is the year the London underground finds its new favourite voice. It is the culmination of years of quiet building, finally ready to land with a point of view that refuses to be ignored.
"It feels like the year where everything I've been working towards starts to land."