Alisa Xayalith is the newest member of Naked and Famous to release solo music.
Her new dreamy electropop track “Roses” tempers the soaring synthpop of her band – one of New Zealand’s most important musical exports of the early 2010s – with delicate, sparkling instrumentation and her always ethereal vocals.
“Roses” clearly marks a new chapter for Xayalith and reflects her personal growth and optimism. The lyrics “Everything is in perfect order” indicates their hope for better days, even in difficult times.
“I think I’m a pessimistic optimist,” she says. “My attempt to resolve difficult situations is to have blind faith that everything will be OK if I just wait and somehow find the silver lining. I believe that good things come to those who wait. Maybe that’s hilarious, but the idea of using a gardening metaphor felt very natural when writing the lyrics for ‘Roses.'”
“I imagined myself digging up earth, burying metaphorical fears, worries, problems, the past, whatever it may be, into the ground and waiting for something beautiful to grow in its place, until “Everything is fine.” I think it’s a beautiful thing to look back with someone and say, ‘Isn’t it crazy how we survived each other and made it through?'”
“Roses” is Xayalith’s first release since her debut solo EP Superpowers in 2022.
She is not the only one from Naked and Famous to go solo: Thomas Powers released his debut album, A tyrant who cries in privatein May. Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand praised the impressive production and the “minimalistic compositions, fused with melancholy and introspection.”
With the release of “Roses” comes the news that Xayalith has signed with Canadian label Nettwerk and more new solo music is on the way.
You can check out the official visualizer above, perfectly bathed in vintage gold and set against a rose-filled garden backdrop.
“Roses” by Alisa Xayalith is now available via Nettwerk.
