Nia Archives returns with the third single from her forthcoming new album ‘Emotional Junglist’ called ‘Vertical’, where skittering hi-hats underscore a honeymoon period of romantic infatuation. Continuing to play with genre around her singular, alt-jungle sound- she cites Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light’ era and Björk as inspiration for the reduced BPM and nods to ‘90s electronica.
The accompanying video by Dylan Gee shot at night time in New York City visually mirrors that hazy, loved-up and raw post-rave, new love experience - lush with strobe lights, blue lights and
superimposition as she makes her way home.
Nia Archives: “There’s this one synth that kind of beeps, and it just makes you feel a bit dissociative. That’s what I enjoy about production – how can you say something without the lyrics? I wanted it to feel like December in London.”
If it’s not yet apparent by the release of earlier singles, including ‘Danger’ and subversive take on the culmination of a relationship ‘Boys In Blue’, the album promises an album about love – but not just the shimmering romantic parts.
Written throughout 2025 – a year that saw Nia fall in, and horrifically back out of, love – each track will encompass something of the experience.
Marking her biggest sonic leap to date, her alt-jungle sound honed alongside James Ford (Arctic Monkey’s, Blur), Ethan P. Flynn (FKA Twigs, David Byrne) and Julia Michaels (Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter), will see her flirt with everything from dewy-eyed indie pop and ‘90s electronica, underscored by the syncopated beats and basslines of her jungle roots with a tracklist that features Jorja Smith and Sampha.
The motif for the album is a shell – tough on the outside, but through pressure, maturation and resilience, something precious is built within. Nodding to the female form, the spiral chamber also symbolises growth and self-development.
Last month, she took her debut live show on a run of exclusive, intimate show dates in Leeds, London and NYC, and this past weekend took the set up to Forbidden Fruits Festival in Dublin. You can catch her at All Points East this summer alongside Jorja Smith and Tems.
© justaweemusicblog.com
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