George Riley wants you to smile, and she’s pretty sure her new mixtape More Is More will be the thing to do it.

George Riley has just purchased a pair of shoes. A gorgeous pair of vintage McQueens, to be precise. But don’t mistake this as a late-night, not-so-thought-out splurge (the type we all know a little too well). No, these shoes are a reward for a year and a half’s work, which has all amounted to today: the release of the London-based artist’s new mixtape More Is More. 

The 10-part project does exactly what it says on the tin. More Is More is a maximalist masterpiece, rich in texture and brimming with the type of dance-infused instrumentals that will have you practically charging to the nearest dance floor. Producer extraordinaire Mura Masa links up with George for the romantic single “Forever” and elsewhere, the self-proclaimed “silly goofy agent of chaos” is serving up pure joy in the form of tracks such as “Shotgun Wedding” and “Amore”. 

Yes, the infectious beats and vocal splendor are things we’ve come to expect from the maverick (whose previous efforts have seen her tracks land on HBO hit Industry’s soundtrack and earned her a supporting slot on tour with Kelela). But her mission when creating the project went far beyond musical mastery: “I’m hoping to brighten days and put some smiles on faces,” she says.

We’d say that mission is complete, George. 

On the eve of More Is More’s release, George slid into our DMs to chats being in her most confident era to date and how many fucks she has left to give – spoiler alert, it’s zero. 

@ericarana Hi George! How are you doing?! 

@georgeriley Heyyyy I’m good! How are you?

@ericarana So good! Hating the tube strikes but loving work from home

@georgeriley Omgg ya I got the overground yday and it was like a tin of sardines. 

@ericarana It’s not for the faint of heart hahah.

@georgeriley Truly.

@ericarana It’s the day before release day!!! CONGRATS. How are you feeling and what are you up to today?

@georgeriley YAAAS thank youu!! I’m feeling excited. Can’t wait for people to hear it and just to have it out in the world is fab. It’s been a long time coming. Not that long but kinda long lol.

@ericarana lol how long is long? Also, I’ve had a listen and it’s incredible!!

@georgeriley I started writing maybe a year and a half ago and it’s been through lots of chopping and changing, lots of songs written. Ahhh so glad you like it. Hoping to brighten days and put some smiles on faces.

@ericarana What a lovely mission. Would you say that was your main goal going into the creation of your project More is More?

@georgeriley Yes! I love making people laugh. I love being on stage and having fun and I really wanted to make something that could do all of those things and also something that reflected my personality more. I’m a silly goofy agent of chaos. 

@ericarana Omg I love this for you! What did being in the studio look like for this mixtape? Can you talk me through a day in the life? 

@georgeriley Yesss so I worked with a bunch of amazing producers, either people I was friends with already or became great friends with so it always felt cosy. [Producer] Phil really brought the project together, so I’d wake and go over to his in Crystal Palace, get a lil bacon sandwich and a coffee and get cracking. We also wrote a lot with Mura Masa and he’s so fab. He helped shape the sound a lot. I love his studio, it’s very homey.

@ericarana That’s a solid breakfast order. Do you think the studio you’re in changes the way you create?

@georgeriley I think it does yh. I don’t particularly like being in really fancy studios. It can put a bit of unnecessary pressure on creating and I think my best comes from feeling carefree and relaxed.

@ericarana I also saw this mixtape has come with no label backing – would you say that this project is you at your most liberated? 

@georgeriley Oooh good question. I’ve been independent most of my career so I do feel that everything I’ve done has been really pushed forward by me and my small team. But I think maybe it’s a confidence thing and that with every project I’m getting better at trusting my own voice. I’m really proud of this project and excited for the future because I feel like my fucks to give about what other ppl think are dwindling and that’s a nice place to be.

@ericarana I absolutely love that – I am with you on the 0 fucks to give! Year by year you really do start to stop caring.

@georgeriley Exactly like especially now in the internet age. You just gotta go for it. 

@ericarana It’s brutal out here. You really have to block out the noise. Is there anything in particular that’s making you feel confident at the moment outside of music?

@georgeriley Ooh well I have a really amazing group of friends that hold me down. I’m trying to lean on them more as sometimes as a solo artist you can feel lonely. I’m great at doing things myself but sometimes when you get in the habit you forget you can ask for help. And then I’m like, ‘What am I doing there’s all these wonderful ppl around me.’ So yh, grateful to you iykyk. Friends make the world go round.

@ericarana I hear that, especially in London where things can get hectic. Friends become your chosen family. 

@georgeriley Exactly. I also love shoes.

@ericarana Omg you and me both – what shoes are you wearing atm?! 

@georegriley I’m not wearing shoes right now buttt I did get myself a More Is More release present. Some gold heeled pumps from Alexander McQueen (from Vestiaire). They are a half size too small but in the words of the esteemed Celine Dion, ‘I walk the shoe, the shoe don’t walk me.’

@ericarana Hahahahah You’ll have to send me a pic of these pumps become they sound so FAB! 

@georgeriley [Sends a photo of the shoes] Sorry I’m a terrible photographer so that took a minute lol. 

@ericarana Omg they’re so gorgeous!!!!!!

@georgeriley IM OBSESSED.

@ericarana You’ve made me want to shop hahaha.

@georgeriley I must be stopped it’s so dangerous.

@ericarana I was actually going to ask how you’re celebrating the release – is there anything going on outside of the shoes?

@georgeriley So yess actually I am gonna announce something soon so stayed tuned! But tomorrow it’s my bestie Cameron’s birthday so we will be at [Dalston]Superstore then another bar, club, another club etc (a More Is More eve).

@ericarana Omg cryptic!!!! When will you be making the announcement? 

@georgeriley Oooh i can’t say any more than that but sign up to my mailing list to know first!

@ericarana Ok that’s so exciting! I’ll be sure to do so

@georgeriley Hell yeah!

@ericarana Thanks so much for taking the time to chat.

@georegriley No Thank YOU.

@ericarana Is there anything else you want the people to know before we log off?

@georgeriley yaaas lovely to chat and make sure to stream More Is More tomorrow for good luck