Opens with bubbly guitar lines and atmospheric production before steadily blooming into a dazzling chorus dotted with sparkling synths and airy vocal acrobatics.” – Under The Radar
New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based artist Alisa Xayalith has announced Slow Crush, her debut solo full-length album due April 4, 2025, via Nettwerk. To celebrate the announcement, she gives us another glimpse into her diary with the new single, “What The Hell Do We Do Now?” Co-written with Jacob Munk (Wallice, Ekkstacy), the track is accompanied by a music video directed by Brandon Black.
On the spry, “What The Hell Do We Do Now?,” Xayalith explores the tension of reaching an impasse in a relationship, where all you can do is let events unfold. It’s a moment where time seems to freeze, everything lingers in a liminal state, and your mind loops around a single, unresolved question. True to its premise, the song offers no resolution or answers, leaving the lingering question: What the hell do we do now?
Xayalith shares, “I came across a songwriting tip which unlocked something in my creative process. Something along the lines of how you don’t have to be the good guy in your songwriting. The protagonist in ‘What the hell do we do now?’ is this ugly, guilty character while the rest of the record navigates my experiences with limerence, grief, and heartache.”
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After a decade as one-half of The Naked And Famous, Alisa Xayalith is blooming into a solo artist. With a fresh perspective and a handpicked team of collaborators, including executive producer Tyler Spry (d4vd, Tate McCrae, OneRepublic), her debut album, Slow Crush, is a collection of dreamy, intimate songs exploring love, loss, and personal growth. A fusion of her diverse background and experiences, Xayalith’s music delves into themes of triumph, heartbreak, and resilience, reflecting the complexities of human connection. Regarding her debut album, Xayalith reveals, “As I explored my identity as an artist, I found myself yearning for a safe space to grow. The only way I knew how to create that environment was by committing to prioritize my well-being, and as I did, love and romance began to spill into various aspects of my life. This blossoming ultimately inspired the creation of these songs and, eventually, the album – reminiscent of the gradual buildup of a slow crush over time.” The new track “What The Hell Do We Do Now?” follows her previous singles “Chaotic,” “Ordinary Love,” “Boys & Guitars,” and “Roses.” The crisply percussive and chiming “Chaotic” is a humorous take on what it feels like to live with an anxious attachment style. “Ordinary Love” is a vibrant pop anthem that celebrates the beauty and simplicity of everyday romance. The Frou Frou-esque “Boys & Guitars” is a nostalgic and wizened look back at romanticizing boys in bands. Taking inspiration from the Carpenters’ classic gem “Superstar,” Alisa writes from the perspective of a lovestruck fan. With “Roses,” Alisa invites listeners to embrace the messy beauty of love, the strength found in weathering storms together, and the unwavering hope for a brighter future. |
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