Griff, opener for pop’s biggest stars, now touring her debut album

British singer-songwriter Griff’s career has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Less than two years after dropping her first single—while simultaneously completing her A-level exams—she nabbed the Brit Award for Rising Star. After that, she opened for some of the biggest names in music, including Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift.

Amidst these high-profile gigs, solo performances, and music releases, Griff worked diligently on her debut album, “Vertigo,” which is now available.

“The usual steps you take as a new artist have been a bit, like, upside-down,” said the 23-year-old artist, whose full name is Sarah Faith Griffiths, in an interview. “An album is such a step hitting the ground, and it’s such a milestone I’ve always wanted to get to.”

This moment feels like a new beginning for her. The immersive pop album delves into the emotions that accompany such a fast-paced career, as well as those linked to growing up and experiencing heartbreak.

Interestingly, inspiration for “Vertigo” came from the simple act of navigating a spiral staircase in a cottage owned by musician and songwriter Imogen Heap. Griff felt that the physical experience of the staircase mirrored an emotional equivalent, a feeling that has stuck with her throughout the album’s creation.

“That was just a very real, tangible feeling that I have had, and still have, at this stage in my life,” she explained.

Tracks like “Tears For Fun” and “Miss Me Too” explore dizzying emotions with layered productions, taking cues from the large-scale venues she has already graced. “Astronaut” features piano by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who played a pivotal role in transforming the track from an initial draft into a ballad. “You said you needed space, go on then, astronaut,” Griff sings in her distinct style, adding emotional weight to the track.

“I’m a bit greedy with emotions when it comes to songs,” Griff added, explaining her desire to blend poignant lyrics with catchy, upbeat productions. “For me, music is all about moving people and triggering emotion.”

This emotional catharsis is a shared experience between Griff and her listeners, a sentiment encouraged by Chris Martin.

“He really believes that as creatives and writers, we’re just kind of vessels, and creativity will flow through us and ideas will find their way to the right people,” she said. “And I think that kind of philosophy is really reassuring.”

Griff’s success isn’t limited to her sound alone. The visuals accompanying her album are meticulously crafted. Since releasing the album’s lead single, she’s sported a spiral in her hair consistently. In the song visualizers, she twirls in flowing fabrics on a spiral drawn in the sand. Like her mentors in pop, Griff understands that an album “era” is a multimedia experience.

However, what may be even more revealing of Griff’s true self are the candid glimpses into her creative process. While preparing for a performance during Swift’s Eras Tour in London, she documented the making of a dress inspired by a lyric from Swift’s “But Daddy I Love Him.”

“I was always draping bedsheets around myself,” she said about her childhood. “I was the only girl—I have two older brothers and many foster siblings—so that was my way of entertaining myself, playing dress-up. I think I just like making things.”

From the stage, Taylor Swift remarked, “This girl, she is so creative on every single level.”

True to her creative spirit, Griff is eager to keep the momentum going.

“To be totally honest, I feel excited to get back in the studio,” she said. “I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give.”