I recently caught up with Lily Forte, chatted about her upcoming release Don’t Gild the Lily, and left the conversation genuinely excited about what’s coming next. After talking with her, it felt like this feature needed a warm chocolate chip cookie—something nostalgic, comforting, and honest. Add flaky sea salt on top, and it’s pretty much unbeatable. Be sure to check out the recipe later in this feature, but first, let’s dive into Lily.
Lily is gearing up to release her debut album, Don’t Gild the Lily, scheduled for February 13—just in time for Valentine’s Day. The album follows her 2024 EP Can’t Handle Hollywood and features singles such as “The Luckiest,” “Out of the Blue,” and “Miles to Go.” When discussing how she fell in love with music, Lily credits her parents for introducing her to great records early on. Growing up surrounded by jazz, blues, and classic rock, she played in cover bands during her middle and high school years. Rock and roll, especially with a bluesy feel, has always been in her blood. Writing her own songs transformed her experience; what started as a passion for performing became more personal when she realized she could share her own stories instead of singing others’. This marked the true start of her journey as a songwriter. Growing up in South Florida, Lily immersed herself in the local music scene, singing wherever she could. Her musical roots are deeply connected to rock and roll, which has influenced her since childhood. She cites Led Zeppelin and Carole King as two key inspirations, representing both raw power and emotional depth.
The title of her upcoming album, Don’t Gild the Lily, carries layered meaning. Lily considered self-titling the album but wanted something that felt personal without being literal. While researching lily flowers and phrases connected to the word “lily,” she came across a Shakespearean reference often interpreted as the idea that beauty isn’t found in excess or exaggeration. That philosophy—owning who you are, exactly as you are—became a guiding theme for the project. At the heart of Lily’s work is keeping rock and roll alive, a commitment that runs throughout the album. But more than anything, she hopes listeners walk away feeling encouraged to embrace the full spectrum of being human—the good, the bad, the awkward, and the unpolished. Life isn’t always glamorous, and for Lily, that honesty is where the beauty lives.
Looking ahead, Lily’s long-term dreams include staying on tour, performing at the venues she’s always dreamed of, recording new music, and building a sustainable career in her craft. If she releases another album after this one, that would be a wonderful bonus. Musically, she’s entering a new chapter with “The Luckiest,” a darker and more introspective song that gently shifts away from the Amy Winehouse-inspired sound she’s often linked to. The song beautifully captures the emotional weight of sudden loss—the ongoing uncertainty that follows when someone unexpectedly leaves your life—mixed with a quiet sense of destiny and irony. Sonically, “The Luckiest” draws from late-’60s and early-’70s soft rock, blended with modern indie and bedroom-pop textures, broadening the emotional and stylistic range of Don’t Gild the Lily. Visually, the single shows Lily’s dedication to storytelling through a vintage aesthetic. Its cover art pays homage to “The Heavenly Body”, featuring a black-and-white portrait framed by moon and star motifs—an artistic theme that runs throughout the album.
Lily Forte’s latest song, “The Luckiest,” marks a shift in her musical style with a moodier, more thoughtful vibe. Moving away from her comparisons to Amy Winehouse, it draws inspiration from the soft rock sounds of the ’60s and ’70s, blended with modern indie and bedroom-pop influences. The song explores heartfelt themes of sudden loss and uncertainty, fitting well within the broader scope of the Don’t Gild the Lily album. The retro-inspired cover art, with its black-and-white portrait and moon and star motifs reminiscent of “The Heavenly Body”, continues the album’s visual story. As the final single before the album’s release, “The Luckiest” follows “Out of the Blue” and “Miles to Go,” highlighting Lily’s musical versatility and the project’s expanding horizons. Together, these tracks help define Don’t Gild the Lily as a record that embraces classic rock roots while offering a fresh, self-aware perspective—one that values vulnerability, restraint, and genuine emotion. Be sure to check out Don’t Gild the Lily on all your favorite streaming platforms!
Listen to Don’t Gild The Lily HERE
Presave Don’t Gild The Lily HERE
When it comes to food, Lily Forte isn’t picky at all. She loves wining and dining, trying new things, and staying open to whatever’s on the table. But nostalgia? That’s what really has her heart. Lily comes from an Italian family, and growing up, her dad would make classic Sunday dinners—spaghetti and meatballs, homemade sauce simmering all day, garlic bread on the side. That full Italian Sunday dinner moment is her ultimate comfort meal and one of her strongest food memories.
On a daily basis, Lily’s been easing into cooking more and learning as she goes. Lunch is often simple—avocado toast is a go-to. She’s also been on a big sweet potato kick lately, loving how nutrient-packed and versatile they are. She roasts them and throws them into just about anything, which feels both healthy and filling. Recently, she’s even started experimenting with cooking steak, navigating the learning curve of stainless steel pans, and leaning into the process.
Snacking-wise, Lily is firmly a savory girl. Chips, charcuterie boards—anything salty and snackable. Sour cream and onion, salt and vinegar are her top chip flavors. When she’s out, her drink order is classic but unapologetically briny: a dirty martini. Extra dirty. Olive brine and all. She’s also recently talked about a pickolini—essentially a pickle martini made with pickle brine instead of olive brine. Saltier, tangier, and very much her vibe. As much as she loves savory flavors, Lily has always had a soft spot for a classic chocolate chip cookie. It’s a childhood favorite, especially growing up in Florida, where she’s a devoted Publix fan. Her chocolate chip cookies are a standout, along with a nostalgic almond cake topped with sliced almonds and frosting—simple, classic, and comforting.
For this feature, that sense of nostalgia, paired with Lily’s modern edge, felt like the perfect reason to lean into a warm chocolate-chip cookie. Something familiar, comforting, and timeless. I finished it with flaky sea salt on top, and it couldn’t feel more right. The recipe is easy, approachable, and was a total hit at my house—tested and approved on Super Bowl Sunday. Check out the recipe below. It’s simple, classic, and captures Lily Forte perfectly!
Chocolate Chip Cookies with Flaky Sea Salt
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup pure cane sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 2 teaspoons Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt (Maldon-style) for topping
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a standing mixer, cream the butter and sugars until fluffy and lighter in color, 3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet just until combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop 2 tablespoon-sized cookie dough balls and place 3 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Immediately sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt while the cookies are still warm.
- Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the baking pan, then transfer to a serving plate or enjoy warm.
