Dublin indie pop‑rock artist Taylor D steps into a new era with Bad Decisions, a four‑track EP arriving on October 2nd, 2026 - the day she turns 21. It’s a symbolic milestone, one she’s chosen to mark with her darkest, heaviest work to date. Across Bad Decisions, Taylor explore different stages of heartbreak, obsession, insecurity, anger, healing and finally choosing yourself.
For Taylor, Bad Decisions is more than a release. “This EP feels like the real beginning of who I am as an artist,” she says. “Turning 21 and releasing it on the same day feels incredibly symbolic. I’ve grown so much since I started making music, and these songs reflect where I am now — more confident, more honest and completely unafraid to say what I mean.”
Her first EP Fangirl was written when she was seventeen. Much brighter, pop-driven and centred around the excitement of love and relationships. "This EP is what happens when the fairytale ends," she tells us.
Taylor was kind enough to break down her new EP track by track, offering a glimpse into her mind.
Photo Credits: @demi_lipinska_photo
Track 1 - Obsession
"Obsession is about that feeling when attraction crosses the line into complete fixation, when someone gets into your head and suddenly you can’t switch it off.
I wanted the song to feel almost a little unhinged. It has the darker, more playful side of the EP, with big guitars and a hook that gets stuck in your head. It’s about losing yourself in the intensity of wanting someone and knowing that maybe you should probably step away… but you absolutely don’t want to.
For me, this track shows the more confident and rockier side of Taylor D. It’s less vulnerable in its delivery and more “I know this is probably a terrible idea, but here we go.”
It also sets up the EP perfectly because underneath the catchy, energetic exterior, there’s something much more complicated going on."
Track 2 - Fake Illusion
"“Fake Illusion” is the angriest and most confrontational track on the EP.
This one comes from dealing with insecurity, bullying and the pressure to pretend everything is okay when internally you’re falling apart.
It’s about that disconnect between how people see you and how you actually feel. You can put on a smile, get dressed, walk into a room and look completely fine while carrying a whole different story underneath.
The song deliberately leans heavily into the alternative/rock side of my sound. The guitars and drums are much more aggressive, because I didn't want the production to soften what the lyrics are saying.
The line “Life’s a fake illusion” really sums up the whole idea , questioning the version of yourself that you feel pressured to present to everyone else.
This is the track where the EP stops asking “why did this happen?” and starts saying “I'm not going to pretend I'm okay anymore.”"
Track 3 - Survive
"“Survive” is probably the emotional heart of the EP.
It’s about the aftermath of loving someone who was never good for you and the process of rebuilding yourself afterwards.
This is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written. It starts in a much more vulnerable place before building into a huge, emotional chorus. The contrast between the quieter moments and the explosive sections is really important because that’s how the experience felt, trying to hold everything together before eventually reaching the point where you realise you actually can survive without that person.
The song has already become a huge moment in my live shows, with audiences going from complete silence during the intimate sections to singing and releasing everything in the chorus. Previous reviews have picked up on that contrast too, describing the track as raw and anthemic, with haunting verses leading into a huge chorus."
Track 4 - Goodbye
"“Goodbye” is the resolution.
It’s about finally letting go of people and situations that drain you, make you question your worth or keep you stuck in a version of yourself you’ve outgrown.
The opening lyric, “My heart is broke but my mind is open,” pretty much sums up where I was when I wrote it. There’s still hurt in the song, but it isn't really an angry goodbye. It’s about reaching that point where you realise that choosing yourself isn't selfish and walking away isn't giving up.
Musically, it brings together the pop melodies and rock energy of the EP, but emotionally it feels more hopeful. It’s the moment where I stop looking backwards and start moving forward.
I see “Goodbye” as the turning point of the whole EP. It closes the door on the situations that inspired these songs and, in a way, closes the door on the younger version of me who wrote Fan Girl. Bad Decisions is about “what happens after the fairytale ends” heartbreak, self-discovery, healing and becoming stronger through difficult experiences. “Goodbye” is where that journey finally turns towards healing.""
BAD DECISIONS OUT NOW.
Words by
Marie Müller, 2026