How To Get Into: Ruth Lyon

It seems hard to put into words why you should listen to Ruth Lyon, the lead singer of folk-punk band Holy Moly and the Crackers, whose song ‘Cold Comfort Lane’ featured in the credits for heist comedy Oceans 8. This is because, as an artist, her impact has been very multifaceted: her solo work mixes activism for disabled artists with thoughtful, intelligent lyricism and musicality, touching on themes ranging from identity to sorrow to fast food.

For anyone who enjoys poetic, emotional and defiant lyricism, with wry humour peppered throughout, Lyon is the artist to listen to. Likewise, if your go-to songs feature wistful harmonies and mellow guitar, or funky synth backing, Lyon’s music will also check your musical boxes.

It doesn’t take much time out of your day, but will leave you having experienced anger, sadness and almost euphoric joy

In Nothing’s Perfect, released in 2021, Lyon’s songs focus on a desire to find autonomy and freedom of self-expression, with lyrics generally focusing on finding joy and freedom in life. The first song, ‘Fast Food’, kicks the album off with catchy drum rhythms and claps, adding a groovy backing to her chorus in which she declares: “I wanna eat fast food and drink my cherry cola / It’s alright, my baby’s coming over.” The lyrics then segue back to the album title with the line: “Nothing’s perfect, but I want it, I’m sticking with you.” Here, Lyon expresses a more punk attitude to the question of finding freedom by rejecting the desire to find perfection. As the album title declares, nothing’s perfect, and Lyon demonstrates how this is alright.

Her other songs in the album include ‘Lemon Tree’, ‘Paper Aeroplane’, ‘Motormouth’, and ‘Little Blue’. Briefly put, ‘Lemon Tree’ references both lemons and the end of the world with a laid-back summery feel; ‘Paper Aeroplanes’ appeals to the desire to find somewhere to belong and features angelic harmonies and nostalgic lyrics. ‘Motormouth’ is fiery, rebellious, and catchy, almost leaning towards rock, while ‘Little Blue’, may bring you to tears. As reported by Narc Magazine, ‘Little Blue’ was inspired by her relationship with one of the medications she takes, a little blue pill.

All these songs are musical masterpieces in their own rights. With the album length totalling 17 minutes and 36 seconds, it doesn’t take much time out of your day but will leave you having experienced anger, sadness, and almost euphoric joy, with 5 new earworms stored in your memory bank.

The themes in this album range from self-discovery to dealing with depression and figuring ways to live life authentically

Lyon’s more recent album Poems & Non-Fiction, released in June 2025, is a little longer, totalling 36 minutes and 30 seconds, but is still worth every second. Her songs are more intimate in this album, featuring a gentler sound but still intense, evocative lyricism.  The themes range from self-discovery to dealing with depression and figuring out ways to live life authentically. There is still a humorous twist to some of her songs, too, such as ‘Perfect’, where the sprightly music accompanies a sarcastic observation on society’s need to be perfect. As the chorus declares, “Isn’t it all so perfect? / Sundays were made for worship”. From her tone, though, it is evident Lyon disagrees, as the line before describes her yawning at someone’s dry story, and her bridge features her lamenting “I can’t leave” repeatedly.

I remember seeing Lyon live in the Fulford Arms, a music venue which supports upcoming artists, on her tour for the premiere of Poems & Non-Fiction, and distinctly remember her vibrant stage presence. Wearing a red fur hat and accompanying herself, sometimes with a violin propped under her chin, but always moving to her music and adding percussion whilst engaging the crowd. Her presence was magnetic, and the introductions she gave to her songs were telling too – in one case, she explained the inspiration behind her song ‘Books’. I will try my best to recall accurately what she said, but she introduced it along the lines of a song which formed when she was sitting down, looking at the many books in the bookshelves around her that she knows she will never read, and appreciating the fonts and covers on them and how that relates to her life as a whole.

Looking at an interview in American Blues Scene,  Lyon describes ‘Books’ as being a take on life by comparing life to a collection of poems and non-fiction, and as a fundamentally unreadable entity, which this song addresses. Taking this and the more haunting themes of her songs such as ‘Wickerman’, ‘November’  – which has a bleak, almost nihilistic sound – and ‘Caesar’ which focuses on feminine revenge and rage whilst adopting a sprightly, light sound, you can see that a listen to this album, much like Nothing’s Perfect, will take you by surprise with each song.

Her songs touch on emotions and themes that I had never even realised could be expressed through music

If I can guarantee several aspects of Lyon’s music that are consistent throughout, it is her emotional honesty in her lyricism, clever wordplay, and folk-jazz style sound, which craft beautiful backings to her poetry. I can also guarantee that a listen to one or both albums will take you through a maze of emotions as a listener. Her songs touch on emotions and themes that I had never even realised could be expressed through music.

Lyon’s musical impact has also extended far beyond her lyrical and musical dexterity, with her experience as a disabled artist shaping many of the themes in her songs and her activism within the music industry. Her album Nothing’s Perfect is named because of this, as the title shows that imperfection is universal and applies to all aspects of life. There is beauty in imperfection, and disabled artists should not be discriminated against based on this fact of life. Her activism has borne fruit too, with her website revealing that she has received the Danny Award, been included on the Disability Power 100 List, whilst Poems & Non-Fiction has reached the top 20 in the UK’s official album breakers chart, and the top 50 in the official record store charts.

If you listen to either Nothing’s Perfect or Poems & Non-Fiction, you will be able to appreciate the power that Lyon’s music holds, in her genre-defying folk style, which will both lift you and make you think.