Experiencing ‘Eusexua’: A Look Into FKA Twigs’ New Album

Last Friday saw the release of FKA Twigs’ third studio album, ‘Eusexua’, a project that employs a variety of genres and musical effects to explore intimacy and vulnerability. 

Twigs described ‘Eusexua’ as a “practice”, and a “state of being”, on an Instagram post announcing the album, coupled with the album cover, where she seemingly stares deep into our souls on top of a blank background. This minimalism and ambiguity does not extend to the project itself, which is deeply layered and complex, bursting with intricate soundscapes and raw, emotionally charged lyrics. The record plays like a sonic diary, personal yet universal, otherworldly yet grounded in profound feeling.

The album begins with the eponymous track ‘Eusexua’, gently easing listeners into Twigs’ mystical, sensual realm with her signature, soft vocals atop of subdued rave beats. The ethereal opener sets the tone for the album, seamlessly blending atmospheric production with a hypnotic rhythm that hints at the emotional depth and sonic experimentation to come. It’s an invitation into Twigs’ world—an idyllic place where vulnerability and strength coexist in perfect harmony. 

Like on the rest of the projects that make up Twigs’ catalogue, there is no strict consistency between or even within tracks. In ‘Girl Feels Good’ Twigs switches between artificially manipulated and natural vocals to keep the listener’s attention, and spotlight particular lines with the clarity of her raw voice such as “When a girl feels good / It makes the world go ‘round”, alluding to female sensuality and pleasure. The production is equally evocative, with deep, pulsating beats and shimmering synths that create a sensual atmosphere, underscoring the track's exploration of personal satisfaction and empowerment. Twigs uses both her vocal delivery and the song’s shifting sonic textures to convey how pleasure is not only an intimate, physical experience but also an empowering, transformative force that can radiate outwards, impacting both the individual and the world around them. 

While most of the album rides on danceable hedonism, there are a few slower, sadder moments, in tracks such as ‘Sticky’ and ‘Wanderlust’. Here, Twigs’ raw vocals are given precedence over the usual techno-infused beats, with the production stripped back to create a softer, more introspective atmosphere that lets her emotional depth take center stage. Her pain is palpable in lines such as “My body aches to be known” and “I’m tired of messing up my life with / Over-complicated mo- / Sticky situations”. This is a touching glimpse into the turmoil that underlies her sexy ethereal party girl persona, allowing a bridge for listeners to relate to and therefore connect with their favourite artist and understand Twigs for the multitudes that she contains.

‘Eusexua’ is an excellent continuation of an already bold and intricate catalogue, as Twigs pushes boundaries while maintaining the usual depth and genre fusion that has become synonymous with her music. Her unique blend of avant-garde beats, haunting vocals and R&B influences shines through as she expands on her stellar sonic palette. While she is yet to crack the mainstream, she has certainly cemented her status as a pop star in her own right - there is truly no one else doing it like her. 

Zahra Hanif

Image: ‘Eusexua’ Official Album Cover

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