Bethany Ley
Outline
Bethany Ley, aka Bethany Stenning, who performed under the name STANLÆY for several years, is a Bristol-based experimental indie artist whose work resists easy categorization. In some ways, she occupies roughly the same area code as Björk and a very young Kate Bush (especially in her vocals) though perhaps in a more chamber music adjacent style along the lines of Joanna Newsom. There are some classical modern music elements that make their presence felt in her work which, evoke an unsettling overall sensation at times. She has also been bringing jazzier tones closer to the front in recent years, and tapping into Bristol's musical landscape in the way she constructs some of her grooves with hints of trip-hop motifs.
Joanna Newsom, Wendy Eisenberg. FKA twigs
She produced her work under the moniker STANLÆY until 2023, which is when she decided to continue work as Bethany Ley.
She collaborated with Prudent Primate and Waldo's Gift.
Somewhere between Alabaster DePlume and Joanna Newsom.