Back in 2020, singer-songwriter Zsela released her first EP, Ache of Victory. Produced by Daniel Aged, most known for his work with Frank Ocean, it featured five intimate and melancholic songs which she self-released.
Born to a creative family in New York City, Zsela’s journey with music and art, began in her early adolescence. No stranger to her hometown’s downtown creative scene, she performed for brands such as Vaquera and Collina Strada even before the release of her first project.
Now, the 29-year-old singer has released her debut full-length album. Entitled Big For You, the record features ten songs that grapple with love, heartbreak and the power of holding space for nuance in your life. “I was inspired by duality throughout the process and writing – with tension there’s release, with joy there’s ache,” she explains. “Even the title Big For You holds multiple meanings, being ‘full of you’ and ‘full for you’; the complexity and magnitude of the space we take and fill up for love.”
Atmospheric and hypnotising, the project flows from mellow, husky indie pop to more experimental electronic sounds. The opening track “Lily of The Nile”, produced by Aged, is a dreamy, soulful song that feels like it could be blasted in the car of an A24 film protagonist on a road trip. Other tracks including “Not Your Angel”, made with LA-based musician Casey MQ, “Brand New” and “Moth Dance”, also feature poetic and introspective melodies with rich, textured instrumentals.
Below we had a quickfire chat with Zsela about the music she listened to growing up, how different she found working on her debut album versus her EP, and the conspiracy theory she believes in.
What were your main inspirations behind the album?
Zsela:Less is more.
What was your songwriting process like on this record?
Zsela: I wanted to have fun making this album and was craving levity – something I didn’t quite prioritise in the same way with earlier work. But this time it felt like a necessity, and the ways in which we explored that fun by experimenting and not being precious in efforts to stay open felt very inspiring.
Howdifferent was working on this versus Ache of Victory?
Zsela: A lot of change went on for me internally and externally between making these two projects so it felt radically different. I would say a big one was the approach: like I said, I was craving levity when I began thinking about B4U, something I didn’t quite prioritise making AOV.
What song could you not stop playing growing up?
Zsela: OK in hindsight, an interesting pick for a child – “Do Me Baby” by Prince.
Please share the most recent note from your notes app.
Courtesy of Zsela
And the last meme you saved?
Courtesy of Zsela
What’s your star sign and are you a typical one of that star sign?
Zsela: Double Scorpio…
What conspiracy theory are you quite into actually?