Eurovision singer Loreen won twice making history by being the first woman to do so and we have an exclusive interview for you all written by Julia Sulkowska here all about her journey as a singer and the exciting things she has coming up. Advocate for acceptance and equality, Loreen empowered women everywhere with this shoot.

On the cover Loreen wears a Whitaker Malem ‘Tied-Up’ body suit, paired with Di Minno shoes as she stands in a striking power pose that fans went crazy for. The bodysuit included leg covers, all Ared together with strings, and her razor-sharp nails matching the dramatic aesthetic.

Her next look was a shining moment as she dripped in gold upon gold. She wears a Caroline Svedbom Snake Chain Dress paired with a Givenchy bracelet available at 4 Element and Di Minno gold shoes. Once again, her nails are a striking point of the look as they mirror the previous black ones and overall show off Loreen’s aesthetic.

Loreen’s final look is cold laser moment exhibiting her feminism in a suite of armour by Albert Collins. Top by Flowery He and skirt by Critter complete the look and create a dynamic and powerful look.

Click here for the magazine spread and exclusive interview.

https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/voir-fashion-issue-33-featuring-loreen/

Words By Zlata Gavula

The post Exclusive Behind the scenes Images Of Our Issue 33 Cover Shoot featuring Loreen appeared first on Voir Fashion.

“Okane kasegu, watashi wa suta”—the catchy lines from Megan Thee Stallion’s iconic collaboration with Japanese rapper Yuka Chiba—perfectly capture the spirit of her latest viral sensation, “Mamushi.” 

Megan Thee Stallion, a true embodiment of empowerment, is back with a project that continues to inspire and uplift, proving once again that the hot girl summer is far from over Let’s explore how Megan continues to dominate culture, fashion, beauty, and music in this remarkable new chapter of her career. 

Beauty: The Glam Squad Behind the Icon 

When it comes to beauty, Megan Thee Stallion is a force to be reckoned with. 

Her look in the “Mamushi” video is nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the incredible team of artists she assembled. 

Leading the charge is celebrity hairstylist Kellon Deryck, the genius behind Megan’s flawless hairstyles. Deryck, who has also styled legends like Missy Elliott, infused a distinct Japanese energy into Megan’s artistic hairstyle, perfectly complementing her bold fashion in the video. 

Adding the finishing touch to Megan’s mesmerizing look is the legendary Priscilla Ono—the makeup artist who has worked with icons like Rihanna. Known as the “fairy of brushes,” Priscilla transformed Megan with a stunning Japan-inspired look. She incorporated delicate eye dots and a powdery finish, giving Megan a fresh, yet fierce appearance that perfectly aligns with the cultural aesthetics of the video. 

Megan’s nails, an essential part of her look, are the work of Nailed by Tav, whose intricate designs have become a staple in the world of celebrity manicures. 

And let’s not forget the visual artistry of James Baxter, whose eye for detail brings Megan’s vision to life on screen. Each element of her look is meticulously crafted, showing the world that beauty is more than skin deep—it’s an art form. 

Culture: A Moment in History 

Megan Thee Stallion’s “Mamushi” isn’t just another music video; it’s a cultural phenomenon. This project marks Megan’s first major release as an independent artist, and she’s making sure it’s one to remember. The video features a striking collaboration with Japanese rapper Yuka Chiba and is set against the vibrant backdrop of Tokyo. This setting not only highlights Megan’s ability to blend cultural elements but also showcases a fusion of styles that feel both fresh and timeless. 

By integrating Japanese cultural motifs with her distinct style, Megan creates a rich tapestry of influences that transcends geographical boundaries. This blending of cultures is a testament to her innovative approach and her knack for creating something truly unique. 

What makes this even more iconic is how Megan extends her influence beyond music, echoing her previous engagement with the political scene. Just as she brought energy to political campaigns by supporting figures like Kamala Harris, she now channels that same dynamic spirit into her art. “Mamushi” is more than a song—it’s a statement of cultural fusion and a testament to Megan’s impact on various spheres, including her support for political progress. 

Fashion: Serving Looks and Setting Trends 

Fashion has always been Megan’s playground, and in “Mamushi,” she takes it to the next level. Each look in the video is a work of art, carefully curated by stylist Zerina Akers, known for her ability to push boundaries and set trends. From Kurage latex art pieces that scream power and sensuality to dazzling accessories from Disco Daddy Studio and Riley Haus, Megan’s fashion choices are bold, unapologetic, and oh-so-Megan. 

All the photos have been retrieved on Instagram @theestallion 

But which look is your favourite? Whether it’s the fierce latex bodysuit or the sparkling earrings paired with the sublime red dress that caught your eye, there’s no denying that Megan knows how to make a statement. Her style in “Mamushi” is a perfect blend of edgy and elegant, reminding us all that fashion is about more than clothes—it’s about expression. 

Art: A Visual Masterpiece 

The intricacy Megan Thee Stallion puts into her art is nothing short of refreshing. “Mamushi” isn’t just another music video; it’s a visual masterpiece that ranks among the best of the year. Directed by Kevin “Onda” Levya and produced by Tokyo-based creative company Push Japan, the video is a cinematic experience that’s as captivating as it is creative. 

Filmed in the bustling streets of Tokyo, “Mamushi” features not only Megan and Yuka Chiba but also the talented actor Shô Kasamatsu, known for his standout role in “Tokyo Vice.” The video’s stunning visuals and intricate details make it one of the top music videos right now, and trust us—it’s not the third one. 

Music: A Cinematic Experience 

At the heart of it all is the music. “Mamushi” is a powerful track that has already inspired a viral dance trend on TikTok, showcasing how quickly Megan Thee Stallion’s latest release is capturing the public’s imagination. With its cinematic feel and captivating beat, the song demonstrates Megan’s versatility as an artist. 

The video, which dropped just a few days ago, was filmed in Tokyo and blends the best of East and West, creating a unique fusion that’s both visually and musically stunning. 

The serpent, which Megan adopts as her alter ego in the video, symbolizes transformation and evolution—an apt metaphor for this new chapter in her career. Just as a snake sheds its skin to grow, Megan is shedding the constraints of her past to emerge stronger and more empowered. This visual narrative echoes her journey from a label artist to an independent powerhouse, making “Mamushi” not just a song, but a declaration of her rebirth. 

It’s a testament to Megan’s resilience, creativity, and unwavering power. 

In addition to the success of “Mamushi,” Megan Thee Stallion has recently earned five nominations at the MTV VMAs, including Best Collaboration for “Wanna Be” with GloRilla. Her anime-inspired video for “BOA” is also generating significant buzz, further showcasing her ability to innovate and influence across various genres and styles. 

Watch the iconic video here!

Words By Noa Balou

The post Megan Thee Stallion: The Never-Ending Hot Girl Summer appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Tyler, The Creator – ‘Dogtooth’

On the 17^th March, Tyler delighted fans by announcing on Twitter that he’d be releasing the deluxe version of his seventh studio album called CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale at the end of this month as well as dropping the single ‘Dogtooth’. Explaining in a tweet his reasoning for releasing the deluxe album two years after the original he said, “Call Me If You Get Lost was the first album I made with a lot of songs that didn’t make the final cut. Some of those songs I really love, and knew they would never see the light of day, so I’ve decided to put a few of them out”. He’d been teasing the track list on Instagram for a while before its announcement showcasing his very sharp dapper fits caught on Wes Anderson-esque film in the process. Tyler dances on top of a water tower, does doughnuts in his luxury car, and walks the hounds in the self-directed brightly saturated video for the track bubbling with the rapper’s unique sense of humour. With its sunny hip hop neo-soul sound the track is essential for spring. 

Shygirl x Bjork – ‘Woe’

Shygirl and Björk have several things in common – they’re both ground-breaking artists, they love to DJ, and they make unearthly music that unleashes our inner celestial spirits. We still can’t get over the otherworldly collab ‘Woe’, which was released on the 21^st March as a single for Shygirl’s upcoming deluxe album Nymph_o. Dreamy and spacey, Björk swirls Shygirl’s verses and Sega Bodega’s production from the original track together with her ghostly vocals in a witch’s cauldron to create a dark and unsettling art pop masterpiece. 

Victoria Monét – ‘Smoke’ ft. Lucky Daye

Drift away to the super funky extremely groovy R&B single ‘Smoke’ from Victoria Monét featuring the rapper Lucky Daye. The single was released on the 14^th March and will be part of Victoria’s EP Jaguar II the sequel to her EP from 2020 that will drop sometime later this year. In the steamy video, Victoria and Lucky time travel us back to the seventies with vintage magazines, smoky RVs, motorcycles, boxy televisions, and rich orange hues before they’re swept up in a hurricane. Monét serves the coolest monochrome brown retro looks including a chocolate satin co-ord, a hazelnut-coloured velvet dress, a tanned leather jacket, and rhinestone lingerie for her pole dancing finale. 

^{Image by Victoria Monet}

Danny Brown x JPEGMafia – ‘Kingdom Hearts Key’

Danny and Peggy have spliced together 90s J pop, 70s funk, and WWE soundtracks to create the most heavenly and inspired track of the year so far. The track has a buoyant transcendental soundscape reminiscent of soothing anime and video games and fittingly takes its title from the video game series Kingdom Hearts. Though the song is gentle and lulling it’s given an edge by JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown, and guest redveil’s superb verses. The song is just one of the fourteen tracks from the rappers’ collaborative album which dropped on the 24^th March and has received universal acclaim from critics.

Lana Del Rey – ‘Taco Truck x VB’

It’s finally here and we’re head over heels for it. Lana dropped her much anticipated ninth studio album on the 24^th March. It’s being dubbed as her magnum opus by critics and fans alike who are obsessed with the genre-bending amalgamation of the styles from her old records with a new trap infused sound. Whilst it was nearly impossible to choose just one track for our list out of the 16 stellar tracks we managed (you should go listen to the whole thing though). 

^{Image by Neil Krug}

The closer to Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd is wonderfully all over the place ‘Taco Truck x VB’. The song starts with the nicotine-addicted Gen Z idol Lana crooning “Met my boyfriend down at the taco truck/Pass me my vape, I’m feelin’ sick, I need to take a puff”. The slow ballad takes off and the sweet singer warns “When I’m violent, it’s Carlito’s Way” as the groovy deep synths take over. The second half of the song then launches into a grimy unheard version of the 2018 single ‘Venice Beach’. Lana will be headlining The Other Stage at Glastonbury this summer so if you’re lucky enough to have tickets you may have a chance of seeing this song live!

Rosalía and Rauw – ‘BESO’

Thanks to the ultimate star couple we gained three hot new tracks in our playlist this week. Rosalía and Rauw’s collaborative EP RR, released on the 24^th March, gives us if Bonnie and Clyde were travel-obsessed vampire Reggaetón superstars and we’re very here for it. On the opening track ‘BESO’, R&R sing passionately to each other toasting their love over a tropical beat that brings to mind warm summer’s evenings. Congrats to the happy couple on their recent engagement!

yunè pinku – ‘Sports’

Malaysian producer and singer-songwriter yunè pinku has been on our radar since 2021 when her collaboration with Logic1000 blew us away. She continued to put out some of the best breakbeats tracks dropping her critically acclaimed debut EP Bluff last year. Earlier this year she announced she’ll be dropping her sophomore release Babylon on the 28^th April – a futuristic and kaleidoscopic six track-EP. Following the fantastic singles ‘Night Light’ and ‘Fai Fighter’, the meditative dancefloor essential ‘Sports’ was released on the 22^nd March. With an irresistibly cool deadpan delivery yunè sings “Lips, teeth, skip and touch/Don’t, I guess you’ve had enough” over a sinisterly infectious beat. “Sports is based loosely on an angry version of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Video Game’,” revealed the artist in a press release. “Mainly just the idea of someone putting a TV screen before the people they care about and their own life. I envisioned a sort of Wall-E-esque future people to the chair with a TV guide vibe”. 

^{Image by Yune Pinku}

Flo x Missy Elliott – ‘Fly Girl’

A match made in heaven. Legendary hip hop star Miss Elliot teamed up with our favourite girl group for their insanely fun single ‘Fly Girl’ which was released on the 23^rd March. Featuring a reworked version of Missy’s hit track ‘Work’ well as a showstopping new verse from the rapper Flo have nailed the 2000s R&B vibe with help of Missy making the track an instant classic. The trio and Missy take over a bar in the video for the track radiating the best energy as they demonstrate why they are fly girls. For some dreamy fashion inspiration check out the video stat! 

Ellie Goulding – ‘By the End of the Night’

Ellie Goulding is renowned for her euphoria-filled dance hits. Her latest single ‘By the End of the Night’ is no different with the short but sweet synthpop banger perfect for a late-night dance party. The single is the second to be released from Ellie’s upcoming fifth studio album Higher than Heaven. If the singles are anything to go by we will be playing it on repeat when it comes out next month.

Rina Sawayama – ‘Eye for an Eye’

Rina gets vengeful on her track ‘Eye for an Eye’ written for the John Wick Chapter 4 soundtrack. The Japanese-British singer belts “I’ll see you in Hell on the other side” on this energetic guitar-driven single. Rina made her acting debut in the fourth instalment of this iconic franchise that was released earlier this month. Blast this song on your headphones and you’ll feel like the main character in your own action movie in no time, trust us.

Niia – ‘Idk what to tell my friends’

Let your sorrows melt away with Niia’s smooth new single ‘Idk what to tell my friends’. released on the 31^st March. The Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist teamed up with producer Jonathan Wilson who has previously worked with industry giants Angel Olsen and John Misty. This jazzy R&B track with soft vocals and humming guitars creates the daydreamy and tranquil Americana that we’re crazy for. 

_{Words by Molly Sutherland}

^{Header Image by Conor Cunningham}

The post Songs We <3 This Week appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Before rapping, he was a makeup artist for the hip-hop duo City Girls, and he has since come full circle, collaborating on ‘Shisha’ with them in 2021. His music career began when he realised the podcast he was producing with friends needed a theme song, and since then, the multi-talented star has been featured on the covers of Teen Vogue, Paper, and V Magazine, and been a guest on reality TV show Love & Hip Hop: Miami.

^{Image Credit: Xavier Luggage}

He has also collaborated with the queen of dance music, Madonna, remixing ‘Material Girl’ to ‘MATERIAL GWORRLLLLLLLL!’, made Forbes’ 30 under 30, supported Latto and Lizzo on tour, and performed at the VMA pre-show, BET Awards pre-show, and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His catchy songs, empowering lyrics, and magnetic personality have attracted a huge fan base and co-signs from Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion.

His new song, ‘1-800-Bad-Bxtch’, detailing a series of failed phone calls, was released today, and we are listening on repeat! Like all his songs, it has a catchy beat, and the lyrics— “he can’t treat me like I’m average”— are too relatable. This song has the exact energy we try to emulate when getting ready for a night out, and we can just tell that it’s going to explode on TikTok— with huge glow-up transition potential. Not to mention Santana has a history of TikTok fame, with videos to ‘Material Girl’ receiving millions of views and ‘Walk’s’ ‘#WalkChallenge reaching 3.7B views.

We also couldn’t talk about this song without talking about the outfits! The music video is set in an office, one where he drinks cocktails while his coworkers twerk (jealous honestly)— we wish we looked this good at work.

Styled by Labels N Dollas, Santana pairs a black leather corset and suspended boots with a shirt and tie. Combined with bright orange acrylics, stacked diamond bracelets, oversized glasses, and an orange Hermès Birkin, this look is more runway than run-to-the-printer.

Saucy Santana is not one to shy away from a bold look, and loves a statement bag.

£ 15864

Hermes Birkin Handbag

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£ 180

Dior TU Tie With Bee Motif

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£ 540

Dior Oblique Shirt

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£ 26

Oh Polly Waist Your Time Faux Leather Belted Shacket

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£ 89

Kurt Geiger Stevie OTK Boots

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The pink Rick Owens cape and matching wedge sneakers are complemented perfectly by the black Chanel and sunglasses.

£ 590

Rick Owens Edfu Flyproof Kaftan

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£ 870

Rick Owens Goebasket Jumbo Leather Sneakers

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£ 195

Rick Owens Basic Tank Top

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£ 1059.70

Rick Owens Leather Shorts

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The double denim Amiri look plus blue the Chanel for Lira Mercer’s baby shower.

£ 1096

Amiri x Playboy Distressed Finish Denim Jacket

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£ 550

Amiri Stacked Distressed Skinny-Jeans

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£ 725

Zegna Slip On Suede Sneakers

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£ 5750

Chanel Quilted Chevron Classic Bag

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Highlighter yellow Dior sunglasses, Chrome Hearts hoodie, Fendi purse, and Bottega clogs come together for this insane look.

£ 410

Dior Signature B1U

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£ 795

Chrome Hearts Matty Boy Link Graphic Hoodie

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£ 180

7 For All Mankind Zoey Air Wash Jeans

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£ 1750

Fendi Nappa Bag

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£ 64.99

Crocs Crush Boot

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£ 35.99

Cernucci Tennis Bracelet

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£ 97.13

Italo Jewellery Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

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Wearing this fuzzy Marni set matched with Bottega sunglasses and Rick Owens sneakers on his birthday.

£ 833

Marni Striped Mohair Jumper

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£ 428

Marni Striped Moahir Shorts

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£ 4.99

H&M Regular Fit T-Shirt

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£ 750

Rick Owens Goebasket Sneakers

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£ 745

Marni Shoulder Bag

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£ 380

Prada Symbole Sunglasses

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Looking to the future, Santana will be releasing more music and performing at festivals like Something In The Water Festival in Virginia Beach, Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Broccoli City Festival in DC, and more. We can’t wait to hear this song all summer!

_{Words by Lucy Walshe}

^{Header Image by Brandon Nawanze}

The post Saucy Santana Just Dropped THE HOTTEST Getting Ready Song appeared first on Voir Fashion.

We need to talk about the music coming out this month.

As if March wasn’t explosive enough – with the likes of Lil Nas X, Zara Larsson, Silk Sonic, Drake, and Jorja Smith all releasing albums, music, and videos – it looks like April is set to be another great month for music.

Despite being only the first week of the month, the quality we’re now seeing has given many musicians a VIP pass straight into our favourite playlists. Chart-topping heavyweights Demi Lovato, Olivia Rodrigo, and BTS have all chipped in with exciting new projects, while debut soloist Rosé has impressed with her first single album. Justin Bieber has even made it back onto our radar after surprising us all with a new EP just weeks after the release of Justice.

But never mind our nattering, check out the music that has welcomed the start of April with a bang.

Demi Lovato – Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over

Demi Lovato’s much-anticipated seventh studio album was released on the 2^nd of April, having been preceded by the singles ‘Anyone’, ‘What Other People Say’, and ‘Dancing with the Devil’ in the first quarter of 2021. The album follows Lovato’s period of recovery following her hospitalisation from a drug overdose in 2018, drawing on themes of recovery and self-empowerment. Acting as an ode to the darker times in her life and career, Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over captures Lovato’s highs and lows in raw honesty. This album marks Lovato’s taking ownership of her vulnerabilities, flaws, and fears, and signifies her ongoing journey towards self-love and liberation.

A YouTube docu-series, Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, was also released last month to accompany the album, and provides a more in-depth look at the events of 2018. You can check it out here.

Rosé – ‘Gone’

Rosé is best known for her work as a member of K-Pop girl band BLACKPINK, but 2021 marked the year she took her first steps into a solo career. Releasing her debut single album R last month, Rosé dropped two music videos. The lead single, ‘On the Ground’, came out on March 12^th, and peaked at No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 – making Rosé the highest charting Korean female solo artist in the US.

The music video for her second single, ‘Gone’, came out on April 5

^th – much to the excitement of fans all over the world. The song and its subsequent music video explore the mourning of a lost relationship, a popular topic for most love songs. The song is anything but typical, however, if the beautiful visuals and soft rock overtones are anything to go by. The track comprises all the components of a successful romantic ballad, as well as a suitable amount of angst to keep the narrative engaging.

Justin Bieber – Freedom

We’ve lost track of how many times we’ve talked about Justin Bieber these last few months. Following a string of chart-topping singles, the Canadian singer finally released his sixth studio album, Justice, on March 19^th. But this obviously wasn’t enough excitement for Bieber, who weeks later released a surprise EP titled Freedom on April 4^th. Bieber had a central role in the EP’s production and has writing credits in every track.

Unlike the crowd-pleasing commercial releases of the singer’s previous work, Freedom directly reflects on his experiences growing up in the public eye and the mistakes he made along the way. Culminating in a meditation on his current circumstances, the gospel-inspired extended play emphasises how Bieber’s spiritual and religious beliefs intertwine with his everyday life.

Olivia Rodrigo – ‘déjà vu’

2021 appears to be THE year for Olivia Rodrigo, who made waves back in January with her debut single ‘Driver’s License’. Preceding the release of her debut album later this year, the singer dropped another single: ‘déjà vu’. The track is already making the rounds on TikTok, with its dreamy intro and romantic aesthetic catching the attention of many fans across the platform. The song is characterised by a psychedelic indie-pop sound that lends itself well to the themes of heartbreak, fantasy, and obsession in the video.

Perfectly attuned to Gen Z trends, the music video adopts a nineties-noughties aesthetic that belies the darker realities of the narrative. Following a love triangle in which Rodrigo’s ex has moved on to another girl, the story highlights how the ex now recreates the ‘special moments’ he once had with Rodrigo (hence ‘déjà vu’). This realisation fuels Rodrigo’s resentment for her ex as well as a growing obsession with his new lover, who the singer tries to mimic throughout the video.

BTS – ‘Film Out’

In the lead up to the release of their third Japanese album in June, K-Pop superstars BTS dropped ‘Film Out’ on April 2

^nd. The song also features as the ending theme for the Japanese film Signal The Movie Cold Case Investigation Unit. Co-written by BTS member Jungkook and lead singer of the Japanese band Iyori Shimizu, the track is a ballad characterised by a slow build up and dramatic crescendo that highlights the narrative of being unable to save something or someone.

The music video builds on this storyline, presenting all seven members in a house thinking back on the past. In time the members also fade, becoming the memories they once cherished and tried to recall. The explosion of a drained hourglass signifies a turning point in the song, as the music hits a dramatic high and the house used for filming bursts into chaotic flames. Unable to control this turn of events, the video delivers the message that we aren’t always able to save the things or people we love the most.

Yet To Come…

That’s not all we’re going to see this month, either. Several albums and singles are set to drop this April, giving the month a needed energy boost as we come out of lockdown. Keep an eye out for Taylor Swift’s Fearless (Taylor’s Version), dropping April 9^th, London Grammar’s upcoming third studio album Californian Soil, set to be released on April 16^th, and Noah Cyrus and JP Harding’s debut EP People Don’t Change, scheduled for April 23^rd (to name a few!).

Happy listening!

Words By Charlie Colville

The post New Music Releases You Need to Add to Your April Playlist appeared first on Voir Fashion.

The 20-year-old Indonesian pop star tells Voir about her love for gaming, her teenage determination not to be a musician, and the story behind her new EP, AM/PM… 

It’s 11pm in Indonesia, where Stephanie Poetri lives and has spent most of the day working and gaming. You wouldn’t necessarily know she was at the latter end of her day, given that Poetri displays all the energy and enthusiasm of a golden retriever puppy. “I may have taken a nap…” she says through a cheeky smile. She doesn’t seem to mind too much about our late-evening call, and tells me she works better at night anyway. “So do my producers – it’s why we linked up in the first place. My only issue is the time zone! Now I’ve moved [back to Indonesia], I have to wake up in the morning to work with them.” A girl after my own heart, Stephanie needs her sleep. Her ‘hack’ for waking up early to work is to go to bed at about 5pm the evening before. “It makes my morning feel more like an evening!” She giggles. 

Poetri was born and raised near Jakarta, to a music teacher father and ‘diva’ mother. “Here, diva means singer,” Stephanie explains after I express my fondness for the term by which her mother, Indonesian household name Titi DJ, is known. “In most people’s mind it means being an… annoying person.” She laughs. “It’s funny, because everybody thought I was going to follow in my mother’s footsteps, I actively tried not to be a musician,” she tells me. “I always took art instead of music [at school], maybe that was my rebellious phase growing up.” Once she graduated high school, Stephanie became more content with the idea of doing what she wanted. The first step in this new found freedom was to take a producing class, which is what made her realise that music might be the answer to the question on every high school graduate’s lips: what do I want to do with my life? 

But how does Stephanie feel about catching her mother up in terms of fame? “It was weird at first because I was always known as her daughter, and for the first time people knew my name, which was nice.” She explains. “But after a while she started being known as Stephanie Poetri’s Mom, which I felt guilty about because when [it was the other way round] it irked me a little. I was like ‘is that all I am to you?” she says, laughing again. Stephanie’s infectious giggles aren’t necessarily what you’d expect of a young pop star with a million Instagram followers and a shiny new EP – but she’s just so nice. It probably helps that, despite admitting ‘you learn as you go’ when it comes to the music industry, Stephanie’s mother was able to give her some insight that not all musicians are lucky enough to have at the start of their career. It strikes me that this has to do with the fact that Stephanie’s fame has most definitely not gone to her head. 

Poetri’s new EP, AM/PM, is one for both the early birds and the night owls. It was released just last week, and as the title suggests, takes listeners from day to night in terms of sound. Those who knew Stephanie from her breakout song, ‘I Love You 3000’ (named after an emotional scene from Avengers: Endgame) were surprised at the dark vibe of her track ‘Paranoia’ and the more upbeat tone of some of the other tracks on the EP, but the response has been great. Her own personal favourite is ‘3pm’, a song that required no poeticism. “I was like: ‘I’m just gonna write exactly what I mean” she says. “I’m no linguist, it’s 3pm and I’m still asleep. That’s pretty much the whole thing.” she says. The point of this particular track, juxtaposed against her more metaphorical songs, was to be as honest as possible about how she has found herself dealing with the past year. A line that, sadly, rung true to me was: ‘Feel like I’m on vacay when I’m at the store’, Stephanie chuckles when I tell her this and says: “We’ve all had our own ways of coping with [the pandemic], and that’s fine.” 

I’m interested to know how Stephanie has found the past year in general, and she tells me that she’s made more friends in lockdown than in the two years following her high school graduation. “I saw all my friends doing their thing at college, making new friends. I had such bad FOMO,” she says. “And then for some reason, immediately after I got a gaming PC, I made so many friends! I’m an extrovert, I need people around. Even if I’m just in a call with people, I’ll mute myself and do work.” We discuss our shared love of working in coffee shops, and decide it’s probably the procrastination of people watching that holds the most appeal. 

Stephanie posted regularly to her YouTube channel even before her musical success, and this makes for quite a chunk of her huge online following. “I think what’s great about [social media] is that to a lot of people I’m not just a musician,” she considers. “When I feel boxed in, I get really stressed.” It’s, for this reason, she appreciates the people that follow her for her gaming posts and other non-music-related content. “It makes me feel a lot better. I got lucky because I have a really supportive community, but having your life put on social media and being vulnerable there can be a challenge.” It was thanks to this supportive community that her music blew up the way it did – she was visiting colleges for an alternate career path, Psychology, in Singapore when people started recognising her on the street. “It’s incredible what you can do with no marketing. I just put [a song] up randomly through an online thing.” It makes Stephanie hopeful that, thanks to the power of the internet, other people can follow the same path. “If you’ve got a great song and you believe in it, you don’t need marketing. Social media will do that for you.” 

Before we say goodbye, I want to know whether Stephanie has any plans to play the EP live later this year, when the law allows. “A lot of my songs are very chill, but I would definitely be down. I’m imagining performing in a little coffee shop where people are just chilling, I think a lot of the AM songs would work well like that,” she says. “Paranoia was the first song where I think if I was on stage, I could just go crazy.” She laughs. Whilst she gives no hints as to when or where this might take place, we can look forward to seeing Stephanie go crazy on stage some time soon.

Interview And Words By Pippa Simmonds

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After the chaos this year has been, a lot of us have found comfort in music, while artists have found comfort in making it. Because of this, 2020 has brought us some brilliant albums, some capturing the moment, some moving past it, and even though the lack of gigs and festivals has left a large hole in our hearts and a large hole in the wallet of the music industry, this year’s albums have got us through it. Here are our top albums of the year.

10. Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake / LUV vs. the World 2

Lil Uzi Vert’s third album was long-awaited, and when it was released in March of this year, it did not disappoint. With a cosmic focus, psychedelic synths and some of Uzi’s best lyrics, Eternal Atake is some of the artist’s best work, but to make it even better, a new version was released a week later with a whole other CD of 14 songs, these ones less of a solo effort, featuring collabs with Chief Keef, 21 Savage and Young Thug to name a few. The deluxe album is even more charismatic and extraterrestrial, giving his fans enough content to make up for the 3 years without.

9. Beabadoobee – Fake It Flowers

Beabadoobee turns a corner with her album Fake It Flowers, coming into her own as the reincarnation of 90s alternative. Bea has only released EPs up until this point, so for a debut album it certainly shows her talent as a songwriter – heart wrenchers like ‘How Was Your Day’ and ‘Emo Song’ are balanced by anthems such as ‘Care’ and ‘Dye It Red’. Each song is personal yet relatable, often depicting a change in personality and newfound confidence, conveying Bea’s new directions in music, appearance and identity. It’s definitely an album that articulates something a lot of teenagers can relate to in 2020, as once suppressed expression of style and character can flourish in an isolated environment. The album is the final step in her transition from soft spoken, bedroom-pop teen to angsty, Pavement-esque grunge star.

8. Taylor Swift – Folklore

Taylor Swift’s first of two 2020 albums was a pretty significant change from her work in recent years – an organic, melancholy, more minimalist sound, seemingly untethered from Swift’s manufactured, bubblegum pop image, proven by the almost unannounced release. Recorded during lockdown, the album was created with the help of Bon Iver and Aaron Dressner (The National) and certainly sounds like it. As some of Swift’s best writing, the songs diverge from Swift’s regular subjects of personal experience, to those of fiction and storytelling. Folklore seems to sit between Swift’s country origins and the height of her pop glory – it feels grown up, matured.

7. The Weeknd – After Hours

The Weeknd is one of a few artists that found their refined style in a throwback of synth and dream pop this year, and out of the few, After Hours does it the best. The singer seems to have progressed into a more cinematic soundscape of 80s feel and electronica that fits his voice well and compliments the high drama that The Weeknd’s been trying to portray since the start. The stylised sound has been appreciated well, as the track ‘Blinding Lights’ was named the most streamed song of 2020 with nearly 1.6 billion streams on Spotify.

6. Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now

For this album, made during lockdown, Charli XCX found inspiration in the exact opposite of her usual stimulants: mundane home life. The album takes a more reflective turn from the electropop party girl’s usual creations and it definitely captures how most of this year has felt for a lot of us –  the penultimate track ‘anthems’ yells the lines “I’m so bored, woo / Wake up late and eat some cereal”. Charli made the album on a series of zoom calls with fans, finding feedback (and something to do) while isolating away from recording studios. Despite it’s home set-up and topic of distraction and boredom, the album maintains Charli’s sugar-coated, synthesized sound.

5. Grimes – Miss Anthropocene

Earlier this year, Grimes made a statement about the state of our planet in the way she does best: A dystopian concept album. In one of her most powerful albums yet, the art-pop musician creates an anthropomorphic villainess out of the climate crisis, declaring the downfall of humanity at the hands of climate change and AI. Amongst the mentions of annihilation and destruction, the album gives us some face-value hits like ‘4ÆM’ and ‘Delete Forever’ that embody the ethereal artist’s classic tropes. The album is a darker effort to solidify her place as the queen of sci-fi pop, while also being a little bit auto-biographical as this year has seen her launched into the spotlight as the mother to Elon Musk’s baby, an event and a relationship that’s certainly changed her persona and intentions.

4. Sault – Untitled (Black Is)

Following the power and pain of 2020’s BLM protests, the mysterious British collective Sault returned with another beautiful album in support of the movement. With roots in almost every classic Black musical style, the group create powerful tracks all with similar messages of Black beauty, excellence and pain, put together with techniques old and new to make something that worships all aspects of Black culture. Even with their purposeful anonymity, this year’s Mercury Music Prize winner, Michael Kiwanuka, is among the minimal vocal credits giving the already clear impression of this group’s talent and individual praise. This album is confirmation that while the identities of this group remain unknown, their intentions do not.

3. Haim – Women In Music Pt. III

Haim’s third, and greatest, album was released in June of this year, giving us all plenty of time to enjoy it’s warm splendour in the summer. After a two year break following the second album, the sisters seemed to return with their best stuff, refined by loss and pain, the album discusses grief, anger and the sisters’ personal struggles. Most of all, the album portrays resilience and fearlessness – the upbeat and feel-good melodies really make an impression of strength and positivity, despite the issues discussed. Channelling Alanis Morisette and Sheryl Crow, WIMPIII defines Haim’s vital place in female-fronted rock.

2. Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher

Phoebe Bridgers returned with another portfolio of her ingenious songwriting capabilities this year with her sophomore album Punisher. Each and every track on the album feels sincere, somehow relatable and utterly heartbreaking in the blur of folk and rock that Bridgers knows and plays within so well. Brought to us at a time we were so susceptible to existentialism and unaccountable misery, Bridgers was the blanket of quips and devastating lines set to beautiful arrangements that we could cling to. Like her influences before her (Elliott Smith, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen), Phoebe Bridgers takes your heart and crushes it, this time with queer undertone and a skeleton suit.

1. Mac Miller – Circles

Posthumous albums don’t always do well, but Mac Miller’s latest album is a reputable addition to his best work. For his fans, Circles certainly gives some completion to the success of Swimming, cementing the self-discovery experienced when creating that album, so soon before his tragic death. And unlike a lot of Posthumous projects, Circles feels complete – a full, polished piece of work. This is owed to producer Jon Brion, who worked with Miller on the album and who worked on the album when the family asked him to put it together for release.Whether there are more Mac Miller projects to come, Circles is the closure devastated fans needed, and is a great album in itself.

Words by Daisy Grace Greetham, Graphics by Millie Pollok

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