Marsha Swanson is set to release her new single “Something Real” on 24th July 2026 from TroubleChutes, a creative emotional literacy project she has been developing over many years. Rooted in music, storytelling, and illustration, the project explores how songs and characters can help children understand and express emotions in ways that feel natural rather than forced.
The emotional themes within the songs and stories are informed by Swanson’s many years working creatively with children and families in therapeutic and educational environments. TroubleChutes combines original music, characters, and visual storytelling to help children explore feelings, friendships, imagination, and emotional expression.
Beyond the music, the project includes an educational resource being published by Karnac Books, alongside a completed television pilot filmed in collaboration with St Mary’s Hampton CE Primary School that is currently being pitched to broadcasters. “At the heart of TroubleChutes is the idea that music and illustration can bypass language and reach emotional material in a way that allows a child to feel understood before they even have the words for it,” says Swanson. “By focusing on characters within songs, children can access their emotions from a safer distance. It is not about diagnosis or instruction, but about recognition, imagination, and emotional connection through story and music.”
The release marks Swanson’s first new music since the album Near Life Experience and the single Like an Angel, continuing her emotionally driven songwriting while opening a new creative chapter through TroubleChutes.
The single “Something Real” features input from Henry Thomas — musician, presenter and producer best known for hosting Rockschool — who also appears in the pilot in his first educational presenting role since the original series. Marsha and Henry later brought in British producer Stuart Epps, known for his work with Elton John, Led Zeppelin and Chris Rea, to collaborate on the single.
Artwork for “Something Real” has been created by psychologist and artist Victor Yalom, founder of Psychotherapy.net and longtime resident cartoonist for the platform, whose psychologically informed visual storytelling made him a natural fit for the TroubleChutes world. Yalom is also the son of renowned American psychiatrist and best-selling author Irvin Yalom, whose writings on existential psychotherapy subtly informed themes explored in Swanson’s earlier tracks “Making Waves” and “Facing Life.”
The project has received praise from figures across psychotherapy, culture, and social commentary.
Susie Orbach says: “Music expresses our longings, our sorrows, our sadnesses and our hopes. Rarely does it nudge us into helping us change ways of being that enhance our experience. Marsha’s work does exactly that. She brings emotional literacy to songs whilst warming our hearts.”
Brett Kahr adds: “Marsha Swanson and her team deserve admiration for showing that music provides pleasure but can also help heal pain. This project will save many broken souls.”
Camila Batmanghelidjh, who previously worked with Swanson at Kids Company and later at Oasis Charitable Trust, has described her as “immensely talented” with “great analytic and practical skills,” and praised her ability to work creatively with children dealing with complex emotional issues.
The release of “Something Real” marks the first public introduction to the wider TroubleChutes project.
A forthcoming music video for ‘Something Real’, incorporating selected footage from the pilot, will extend the visual world of TroubleChutes following the single’s release.
Notes To Editors
TroubleChutes is a children’s project combining music, emotional literacy, storytelling, illustration, and educational resources.
While psychologically informed, TroubleChutes is designed as a creative emotional literacy project rather than a therapeutic intervention. TroubleChutes | Singing Our Stories
The educational resource is being published by Karnac Books Karnac Books - specialist psychoanalysis, psychotherapy and related topic books
A television pilot has been completed in collaboration with St Mary's Primary School to help demonstrate the educational and creative context of the project for broadcasters and editorial understanding. Private viewing link available on request.
Henry Thomas appears in the pilot in his first educational presenting role since Rockschool.
Swanson holds a First-Class honours degree in Psychology and has spent many years working creatively with children and families in therapeutic and educational settings.
One of the songs featured within the educational materials incorporates lyrics from a collaboration with author Lionel Shriver.
The music video for “Something Real” will be edited by George Clare of Continuum Films, who has worked on previous music videos for Marsha Swanson.