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Dorset-raised, London-based singer-songwriter May Payne has announced her new Keeper EP, a six-track project set for release on November 13, 2026.
The announcement arrives alongside “Martha, I’m Sorry,” an emotionally heavy new single that introduces the sound and personal honesty behind the upcoming project.
The song has already attracted attention from music tastemakers, including BBC Radio 6 Music, and has been described as a deeply personal exploration of love, guilt and heartbreak.
For Payne, the track is more than another release. It reflects a difficult moment in her life and turns that experience into a long, intimate piece of songwriting.
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“Martha, I’m Sorry” explores heartbreak and guilt
“Martha, I’m Sorry” is an almost eight-minute track that takes its time.
Rather than relying on a short pop structure, Payne allows the song to gradually develop, giving the emotion room to build.
The track begins with a sparse and confessional feel before expanding into a more intense musical arrangement.
Its central themes include:
- Love and loss
- Guilt after ending a relationship
- Emotional conflict
- The difficulty of letting someone go
- Accepting responsibility for causing pain
The result is a vulnerable piece of alternative folk that places Payne’s voice and songwriting at the centre.
The story behind the new single
The emotional foundation of “Martha, I’m Sorry” comes from Payne’s own experience.
She has explained that she had previously struggled with breakups and often tried to avoid the end of relationships.
That changed when she found herself in the difficult position of ending a relationship with someone she believed was the right person for her.
Payne wrote the song the day after finally making that decision.
The track therefore works as a personal apology, but it also captures the complicated emotions that can come with knowing that ending a relationship may be necessary even when love remains.
That honesty is one of the strongest features of the release.
Keeper EP was recorded live in rural Wales
One of the most distinctive aspects of the May Payne Keeper EP is how it was recorded.
The six-track project was recorded live in a cottage in rural Wales during sessions held in late 2025.
Payne worked with producer Sean Rogan and session drummer Rhys Jiang during the recordings.
No loops, click tracks or MIDI instruments
The recording process was deliberately stripped back.
The sessions avoided:
- Loops
- Click tracks
- MIDI instruments
Instead, the musicians focused on capturing live performances.
That approach gives the project a more natural quality and allows small imperfections and human moments to remain part of the recordings.
Payne has described the resulting sound as carrying a sense of seclusion, vulnerability and “human-ness.”
For a project built around emotionally direct songwriting, that recording method is particularly fitting.
Why the live recording approach matters
Modern music production can make it easy to edit and perfect almost every element of a recording.
Payne’s approach goes in another direction.
By recording live, the performances can retain changes in timing, breathing, dynamics and emotion that might disappear through heavy editing.
For listeners, that can create the feeling of being in the room with the musicians.
It also suits the intimate nature of “Martha, I’m Sorry.”
May Payne’s musical influences
Payne’s background helps explain the mixture of emotional directness and folk songwriting found in her music.
She was raised in Dorset listening to 2000s emo alongside classic folk.
Those influences create an interesting foundation for an artist whose songs can feel both intimate and emotionally expansive.
Her music sits comfortably within alternative folk and singer-songwriter territory while drawing on the intensity associated with emo.
From Dorset to London’s songwriting community
Payne is now based in London, where she has become part of a close-knit songwriting community.
Her move from Dorset to the capital has given her access to a wider network of musicians, venues and fellow songwriters.
That community has also helped her develop her live profile.
The release of “Martha, I’m Sorry” arrives at a time when Payne is increasingly active on the UK live circuit.
May Payne continues to build her live reputation
The new single follows a busy period of live performances.
Payne recently completed a run of UK shows supporting Francis of Delirium.
She also held a headline release show at The Lower Third in London on October 2.
Her live schedule continues through October, with further dates supporting Quiet Houses.
She is also due to headline Bermondsey Social Club in London on November 19, shortly after the release of Keeper. Record of the Day also lists an October UK run with Quiet Houses and the November headline date.
Her live set already features “Martha, I’m Sorry”
The new song is not completely unfamiliar to Payne’s live audience.
Setlist records show that “Martha, I’m Sorry” was performed during her 2026 shows, including appearances at The Grace in London and St Pancras Old Church.
That suggests the song has already formed part of her developing live repertoire before the release of the full EP.
Keeper could become an important step for May Payne
The upcoming EP represents an important moment in Payne’s development as an artist.
It combines several elements that define her current direction:
- Personal songwriting
- Live musicianship
- Alternative folk influences
- Emotional storytelling
- A deliberately organic recording process
- Growing UK live exposure
Rather than presenting a highly polished studio concept detached from performance, Keeper appears designed to preserve the emotional character of Payne’s songwriting.
What makes the EP stand out
There are several reasons music fans may want to watch the project.
1. The recording process
The decision to record live without loops, click tracks or MIDI instruments gives the EP a distinctive foundation.
2. Personal songwriting
“Martha, I’m Sorry” comes directly from a difficult personal experience, giving the song a strong emotional centre.
3. A developing live career
Payne is increasingly appearing at UK venues and supporting established acts.
4. A clear musical identity
Her combination of classic folk, alternative songwriting and 2000s emo influences gives her work a recognisable character.
“Martha, I’m Sorry” sets the emotional tone
The new single appears to be more than simply the first taste of Keeper.
It provides a strong introduction to the emotional world of the EP.
Its extended runtime gives Payne space to explore the story rather than rushing towards a conventional chorus-driven structure.
The song’s gradual development also mirrors the complexity of its subject.
Ending a relationship can involve relief, sadness, guilt and love at the same time. Payne’s songwriting allows those emotions to exist together.
What to expect from Keeper
Keeper is scheduled to arrive on November 13, 2026.
The EP will contain six tracks and follows the same live-recording philosophy established during the Wales sessions.
While “Martha, I’m Sorry” provides the clearest early look at the project’s emotional side, the full EP will offer a broader picture of Payne’s songwriting.
For listeners discovering her music for the first time, the single provides an accessible starting point.
May Payne’s upcoming milestones
Here are the key dates surrounding the project:
- October 2, 2026: Headline release show at The Lower Third.
- October 2026: Further UK shows supporting Quiet Houses.
- November 13, 2026: Keeper EP release.
- November 19, 2026: Payne headlines Bermondsey Social Club.
The schedule gives Payne a strong run of live activity around the EP’s release.
Why May Payne is an artist to watch
May Payne’s current momentum comes from more than a single new song.
She has developed a sound rooted in personal storytelling while maintaining a strong connection to live performance.
“Martha, I’m Sorry” demonstrates her willingness to sit with uncomfortable emotions rather than simplify them.
The live recording approach also reinforces the authenticity at the heart of the music.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will May Payne’s Keeper EP be released?
May Payne’s Keeper EP is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026. The six-track project is led by the new single “Martha, I’m Sorry.”
What is May Payne’s new song Martha, I’m Sorry about?
“Martha, I’m Sorry” explores love, guilt and heartbreak following Payne’s decision to end a relationship. She wrote the song the day after making that difficult decision.
How was the Keeper EP recorded?
The EP was recorded live in a cottage in rural Wales during late 2025 sessions. The recordings deliberately avoided loops, click tracks and MIDI instruments.
Who worked with May Payne on Keeper?
May Payne recorded the project with producer Sean Rogan and session drummer Rhys Jiang. The pair contributed to the live recording sessions behind the EP.
Where can fans see May Payne live?
Payne has several UK performances around the release period, including further October shows supporting Quiet Houses and a headline performance at Bermondsey Social Club on November 19.
