A former X Factor star from East Lancashire has released a new EP today (October 14).

Grace Davies, from Langho, has released ‘It Wasn’t Perfect, But We Tried', which is described as her “most authentic and accomplished body of work to-date”.

The EP consists of five genre-crossing songs that reflect how the 25-year-old is “confidently claiming control of her career", turning the tables on her "sad girl persona" and taking the reins with new-found talent in production.

Grace, who was runner-up in the 2017 series of The X Factor, co-produced the EP with collaborator Toby Scott, who has worked with Becky Hill and Galantis.

Two of the tracks, Windows & Walls and Already Gone were completely self-producing.

It Wasn’t Perfect, But We Tried includes new single, Breathe. This is described as “a lesson in pop mastery featuring Grace’s signature powerhouse vocal, crashing drums and a hook-driven, belter of a chorus”.

Grace said: “Breathe is about reclaiming your power.

“It’s about taking everything that’s been thrown at you, owning it and turning it into something powerful.

“‘The end of where you tear me apart’ - the start of a new beginning where I don’t let you control my life anymore.

“I wrote it in 2017, but it’s a song I came back to five years later reflecting on everything I’ve been through as an independent artist.

“It means even more to me now than it did when I wrote it.”

Grace’s third EP spans five years of her career.

Wolves and Breathe are the oldest songs.

The most recent is called Supervillain, which was written over Zoom last year after a lockdown relationship turned sour.

The former St Leonard's CE Primary School said: “Supervillain is about believing that someone will be your hero, then realising they’re the complete opposite.

“That said, I’ve learned to draw a line under bad relationships. How can I complain when they give me such great songs!”

Meanwhile, previous release Already Gone saw Grace sat in the producer’s chair for the first time.

She said: “During lockdowns I had to make my own demos and record my own vocals because the studios were shut.

“I’ve always had a producer’s head, just never an engineer’s hands. I knew what I wanted, but not how to achieve it. Learning that has given me massive confidence. It’s taught me to stand up for myself, both in and outside the studio.

“I believe in trilogies and it’s a thread that ties the EPs together.”

The record is the follow-up to last year’s EP ‘i wonder if you wonder’.

Standout release ‘roots’ reached the top three in the UK iTunes Single Charts, entering the Official Chart Company Top 100 and the UK Big Top 40, as well as gaining plays across BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, Heart & Capital FM along with a raft of regional support.

The EP saw Grace reach one million monthly listeners on Spotify.

2020 EP Friends With The Tragic confirmed Grace’s reputation as a talented songwriter.

Striking a chord with fans, her songs are also finding homes within current pop culture. Grace had four syncs on the 2022 season of ITV2’s Love Island, soundtracking key moments in the popular reality TV show.

Fans were able to experience Grace showcase these songs live, plus debut her new music, at a sold-out show at St. Pancras Old Church, London back in August, her first ever headline gig.

You can listen to It Wasn’t Perfect, But We Tried’ on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify and Deezer.