Abisha is lighting up the alt-pop underground
We take relationship advice from the pop scene's latest queen.
[C]ombining a minimalist approach to production with sweet vocals and abstract lyrical insights into romance and relationships, Abisha’s singles “All That” and the recent “Project X” feel like the soundtrack to a sci-fi love story. It’s an atmospheric, progressive, intimate sound that is lighting up the music underground.
We caught up with Abisha to talk “Project X”, relationship advice and the future.
Hey Abisha, talk us through your latest single, “Project X”..
I wrote “Project X” about the feeling of wanting to give your whole self to someone and be around them all the time. It describes having a connection that is so magnetic that it makes you feel high, but it’s also very flirty and playful. I wanted to create something different with “Project X”, that was completely free, and just see what came of it. I never expected it to be a single, but it’s one of my favourite tracks.
JEWELLERY Abisha's own
"I find it hard to talk about my feelings and will avoid confrontation or awkward conversations at all costs so I really feel that writing my feelings down is such a good way to just release."
It feels like a personal story… is it easy to open up on record?
I find opening up through a song so much easier than in opening up in real life. To me it’s something that comes naturally and is sort of habit – I write everything down, and making into a song is really cool, no matter what you’re writing about, it’s super rewarding that you can turn it into something positive or something that could perhaps be positive for someone else. I find it hard to talk about my feelings and will avoid confrontation or awkward conversations at all costs so I really feel that writing my feelings down is such a good way to just release; getting thoughts off of your mind and onto paper frees your mind and makes you feel so much lighter.
Abisha wears JACKET Criminal Damage // CROP Calvin Klein // JOGGERS Converse // HAT Converse // TRAINERS Converse //
"In terms of relationship advice, I believe that your heart tells you when it’s right. It’s all about energy. When you find someone who matches your energy, that’s a really magical thing."
Abisha wears HOODIE Calvin Klein Jeans // LEGGINGS – stylist's own
“All That” sounds like it was about a relationship as well. Have you got any relationship advice you can share?
“All That” is an extremely personal ‘relationship track’, it’s very honest and raw. In terms of relationship advice, I believe that your heart tells you when it’s right. It’s all about energy. When you find someone who matches your energy, that’s a really magical thing. Only be with someone that makes you happy, and don’t confuse being happy with being comfortable.
Instagram says you’ve been traveling a bunch lately. What was going on in Barcelona?
I love travelling. I went to the Caribbean earlier this year and I was recently in Barcelona to celebrate a birthday so we did all of the touristy things, ate way too much paella, discovered the BEST seafood restaurant and the weather was amazing too. I love Spain so it was nice to be in the city, and by the beach at the same time.
Abisha wears HOODIE Criminal Damage // JEWELLERy Abisha's own
"I find it pretty hard to categorise my music as everything I write sounds completely different."
Abisha wears JACKET Topman // CROP Stylist's own // TRACKPANTS Nike
Who was the last person you called?
My mum – I feel like that’s a really boring answer ha!
What did you talk about?
I’ve been super busy recently so we haven’t been able to grab time for a phone call in a while. We speak on the phone all the time, as she lives in Devon and I live in London, so it was nice to talk to her and update her on everything that’s been going on and vice-versa. I also call her a lot for mum-advice, which was probably partly what the call was about.
What else is happening in your life right now?
OMG, I got a puppy! He’s five months old and the cutest thing ever – so I’m basically a new mum. I’ve been in the studio a lot, working on a lot of new music, and really making the most this London sun too.
It feels like genres are becoming a thing of the past. Do you identify with the “R&B” or “alt-R&B” tag?
I agree, I think that music is becoming much more genre-fluid which I’m really enjoying, I love discovering new music unexpectedly. I find it pretty hard to categorise my music as everything I write sounds completely different. In contrast to what you’ve heard so far, a lot of the songs I write are pretty chilled and moody, but what I’ve been writing recently definitely has more of an alt-pop vibe going on.
When can we hear more music from you? And what does it sound like?
Very soon! I’m hoping to release another single over the summer – a different vibe again from my previous releases.
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