On a Friday full of juicy new releases, the return of FKA twigs stands out. ‘Eusexua’ is the first introduction to the album of the same name, a work inspired by the techno culture of Prague, where Tahliah Barnett has been living for a few years, and created together with her inseparable producer, Koreless, which will go on sale on January 24. It will be the successor to ‘Magdalene’ (2019) because ‘Caprisongs’ (2022) is considered a mixtape despite its quality.
“Eusexua” is a neologism derived from the fusion of two words, “euphoria” and “sex.” It makes sense then that on “Eusexua,” FKA twigs sings about a love so deep she can’t “put it into words.” Her desire is so momentous that it can “change the course of time.” Lacking a word to explain what she feels, she invents a new one.
FKA twigs says that the word “Eusexua” describes the “summit of the human experience.” The song “Eusexua” doesn’t aim quite as high, but it is an excellent production created by twigs, Koreless and Eartheater, and it doesn’t offer the kind of techno that fans were probably expecting. It’s not a danceable track, but quite the opposite.
‘Eusexua’ rests on a soft ambient techno base that builds to a very elegant crescendo; it doesn’t seek to thrash but to caress. The sound doesn’t resemble the pointillism of Koreless, but rather refers to the subtlety of minimalist trance. Against this musical background, FKA twigs’ voice wanders between beauty and alien distortion, serving a romantic and beautiful melody, full of soul. It’s the Song Of The Day for today, Saturday.
The crescendo of ‘Euseuxa’ builds slowly, and when it comes, the effect is sweet. The textures at the end, so distorted, hint at what Björk may have been a reference for. ‘Eusexua’ is a great taste of what’s to come. If not a clear single, at the very least, it’s an exciting composition that will come to life within the context of the album.
The video takes place in an office where Twigs arrives late, but in time to catch the sensual and brilliant dance number. Suddenly, the boredom and normality of the space disappears under a glitchy dance beat that is surely another preview of ‘Eusexua’. One much more appropriate for the club.
Before you know it, all the office workers have lost their clothes. It is halfway through the video when the singer is transported to the surreal, minimalist world of the single at hand.
Charging …