NME’s latest stars of The Cover, Sarah Julia, have created an exclusive playlist to accompany the story’s launch – check it out below.
The Amsterdam-based folk duo are on this week’s (November 9) edition of The Cover, a manifestation of NME’s commitment to supporting emerging talent across the globe on a weekly basis. Every week, a rising artist will feature on The Cover – you can read Sarah Julia’s profile here, written by Laura Molloy and featuring photography by Paul Bellaart.
Sarah and Julia Nauta have compiled an exclusive playlist to mark their appearance on The Cover, titled ‘Witching Season’. Across 21 tracks, the pair have selected songs by the likes of Mazzy Star, Fontaines D.C., Agnes Obel, Laura Marling, and more. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify below and on Apple Music.
In The Cover, Sarah Julia reflect on their debut album, ‘The Fear That This Is Real’, as well as their journey so far, and why Gen Z is falling in love with folk music. “Folk music can be very vulnerable; I think it helps people to do more inner work and be a bit more silent and introspective,” explains Sarah. Julia concurs: “There’s so much s*** going on in the world, and you can lean into that aggressive realm, but then there’s also a part of us that just wants to be carried or just feel held. [In folk music] you’re able to shed some tears together.”
The duo also discussed their song ‘Daughters’, which traces the most harrowing experiences of girlhood into womanhood. During their recent US tour, the track felt especially relevant, with the dates taking place shortly after the Cornell 7 case came to light. “We had to play it,” Julia says, “Afterwards we’d meet people, and they would be thanking us, but I’m also thanking them for sharing that moment with us. It’s empowering to know that we’re doing this together, but then it’s also very sad that we’re all going through the same s***.”
Read Sarah Julia’s full Cover story here and find out who else has been on The Cover here.
Every year, NME produces 50 Cover stories, showcasing the future of music via in-depth profiles and exclusive photoshoots. Check out our brand-new coffee table book NME The Cover 2025-2026, which features the likes of Westside Cowboy, Flowerovlove, Destin Conrad, Maruja, Sophia Stel and many more.
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