Name: IDYL
Nationality: Belgian
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Current Release: IDYL's new Naïve EP is slated for publication in early 2026 via Capitane. Her first single off that release is "Illusion."
Recommendations for Brussels, Belgium: I really love cinema, so I’ve spent quite a bit of time at Cinematek, just behind Bozar! They screen old (and very old) films, sometimes even with a live pianist for silent movies. That’s where I discovered the 1964 version of Mary Poppins, and it’s amazing to see it on the big screen! Plus, it’s kind of romantic, haha.

If you enjoyed this IDYL interview and would like to stay up to date on her music and live dates, visit her on Instagram.



Entering new worlds and escapism through music and literature have always exerted a very strong pull on me. What do you think you are drawn to most when it comes to writing?

These are two endless topics, in my opinion!

Human beings need air, rest, and simply allowing ourselves to dream is already part of the therapy.

What were some of the artists and albums which inspired you early on purely on the strength of their lyrics? What moves you in the lyrics of other artists?

Bryan Adams! The entire Spirit movie soundtrack is just phenomenal! His voice captures despair, then hope, and finally the joy of a horse being set free after captivity.



The storyline is actually quite deep and depicts a rather dark part of history, but it’s beautifully adapted for children — both moving and educational!

The relationship between words and music has always intrigued me. How do you see it? In how far can music take you to places with your writing you would possibly not have visited without it?

Sounds can trigger sensations or emotions that words alone can’t quite express yet.

I think the two complement each other perfectly — together they let you express things you wouldn’t normally dare to say. It gives everything a context that people are often more willing to accept.

What are areas/themes/topics that you keep returning to in your lyrics?

A constant discovery of what surrounds us — and sometimes what’s implicit or invisible — like social codes, awkwardness, or even boredom.

Do you tend to start writing with what will be the first line of the finished lyrics? The chorus? At a random point? What are the words that set the process in motion?

I usually start with phrases or words that I find beautiful, that come to me after something I’ve experienced — or with a melody in my head, then chords, and finally the lyrics.

I often let my thoughts carry me through the creative process, because that’s when I feel the most sincere.

When you’re writing song lyrics, do you sense or see a connection between your voice and the text? Does it need to feel and sound “good” or “right” to sing certain words? What’s your perspective in this regard of singing someone else’s songs versus your own?

That’s such a good question!

I’ve often found it hard to sing songs I didn’t write myself (aside from covers, of course), because my interpretation didn’t feel quite right.

I need to be able to identify with the song — otherwise it feels like I’m lying, haha.

I would love to know a little about the feedback you’ve received from listeners or critics about what they thought some of your songs are about – have there been “misunderstandings” or did you perhaps even gain new “insights?”

So far, from what I’ve read or heard, the feedback has been pretty much on point! People seem to understand what I’m trying to communicate through my music, which is really reassuring.

When you’ve been deep in the creative process for a while, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture — so hearing fresh perspectives helps you see if you’re heading in the right direction.