Enigmatic alt-pop artist Tlya X An continues her journey with the release of her new hyper-pop single, ‘Ninja’ on August 28th. Following the acclaimed ‘Mi Mind Unknown,’ Tlya once again takes the reins as director and editor, collaborating with Oliver Whitehouse to deliver a deliciously quirky music video alongside the track.
Carried by a driving drumbeat and Tlya X An’s unique, magnetic vocals, this latest offering masterfully blends hyperpop, R&B, and glitchy electronica. Channelling the pulsating basslines of M.I.A., Charli XCX‘s glossy allure and a touch of Grimes‘ eccentric genius, ‘Ninja’ is another vibrant portal into Tlya’s unique musical landscape.
A heartfelt ode to her sister, born from a reflective London getaway, ‘Ninja’ celebrates their sisterhood, shared joys, and challenges. Yet, the accompanying visual is a mind-bending departure. Directed and edited by Tlya and filmed by Oliver Whitehouse, the video is a surreal dreamscape featuring heart-headed dancers, edgy choreography and a blood-drinking drummer (Lawi Anywar). Inspired by the song’s lyric “Even dreams of hell can be beautiful” from Joe Dispenza’s ‘Becoming Supernatural,’ the video presents a daring visual interpretation of the idea. It conveys the notion that life, in all its complexity, is a work of art and even in the face of adversity, can be seen as a masterpiece. This striking juxtaposition of the song’s intimate message and the video’s provocative imagery showcases Tlya’s artistic range, proving she’s as fearless a visionary as she is a musical virtuoso.
“I wanted to keep the video simple inspired by the production and use a white studio,” says Tlya X An of the video “The driving forces of the song are the drum beat and the vocals which have a little choreography that me and my dancers have been perfecting over time mainly for my live shows. The original moves came to me from the beginning naturally before I even had dancers working with me and over time evolved to something more concrete which you can see in the video.”
Tlya moved to Bristol at the age of 17, swiftly establishing herself as an unstoppable creative force within the city. Wearing multiple hats as a director, editor, composer, singer, performer and Visual artist, she fearlessly explores her artistic depths, baring her soul to the world. Driven by an unyielding desire to shatter taboos, Tlya X An is unquestionably an ascending force in the music industry. Her latest singles ‘Mi Mind Unknown’ & YDKM [You Don’t Know Me], came out this Spring, receiving support from BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, Gaydio, Bristol 24/7, Crack Magazine, Amazing Radio, System Failure Magazine amongst others.
Her debut EP ‘TXN’, released in 2023 on the label Spinny Nights, generated widespread acclaim, receiving support from BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders’ Future Artists, BBC Introducing with Gemma Bradley), BBC Radio 6 Music (Mary Anne-Hobbs, Tom Ravenscroft, Steve Lamacq, Grove), BBC Introducing in the West (becoming ‘Sound of the Weekend’ and ‘Spotlight Artist’), Selector and Gaydio amongst others. Notable publications, including METAL Magazine, Wax Music, The Most Radicalist and Bristol 24/7, have also acclaimed her unique sound.
In the past year alone, Tlya X An has electrified audiences at renowned festivals and venues across the country, including Dot to Dot, Bristol Harbour Festival, Bitch, Please! Crosstown Concerts, Simple Things Festival, SJM Concerts amongst many. Playing alongside names such as PVA, Haru Nemuri, Yeule, Haiku Hands, AR/CO and more, with each performance, Tlya X An solidifies her position as an unstoppable rising star, fueling her drive to leave an indelible impact on the world stage.
