Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Helen Maw closes the year on a quietly powerful note with her new single The Beacon.
From the outset, The Beacon draws you into a soft, intimate world. Gently sung yet emotionally weighty, the track showcases Helen Maw’s beautiful vocal delivery — delicate, controlled and full of feeling. There’s a haunting quality to the song, one that doesn’t rely on volume or drama, but instead finds its strength in restraint. Every line feels carefully placed, allowing emotion to surface naturally rather than being forced.
Rooted in folk textures, The Beacon blends subtle acoustic instrumentation with shimmering harmonies and a grounded, emotive vocal performance. Inspired by a quiet moment inside a cathedral — where shifting coloured light drew the attention of those passing through — the song reflects on returning to a place that recentres you. Themes of truth, calm and inner clarity run throughout, mirroring the stillness and reassurance suggested by its title.
What makes The Beacon particularly affecting is its ability to say so much while sounding so gentle. Helen’s vocals carry a warmth that feels deeply personal, yet universal enough to resonate with anyone who has sought comfort or clarity in moments of reflection. It’s softly sung, but it packs an undeniable emotional punch — the kind that quietly builds rather than overwhelms.
Written by Helen Maw and produced at Crosstown Studios by Jon Lawton, who also performs on the track alongside her, The Beacon marks the beginning of a new musical chapter. The song was entered into the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge in 2024 and now stands as a beautifully understated statement of intent.
With The Beacon, Helen Maw proves that subtlety can be just as powerful as spectacle — delivering a haunting, heartfelt single that invites listeners to pause, breathe, and return to themselves.
Stream The Beacon now.
Follow @helenmawmusic on Instagram for updates.
