Prepare to embark on a mesmerising journey through the depths of emotion as Chiffon Magnifique releases their latest single, Anxietika.
Taken from their forthcoming debut album, also titled ‘Anxietika’, the single promises to captivate audiences with its fusion of darkwave, post-punk, coldwave, no-wave, and goth rock influences. Led by visionary Jed A. Walters, Chiffon Magnifique explores the complexities of anxiety and fear through haunting melodies and pulsating rhythms. “Anxietika is the most danceable song I’ve ever written,” says Walters. “Drawing inspiration from Martin Dupont’s ‘Hot Paradox,’ I aimed to craft a composition that seamlessly blends groovy drum machine patterns with atmospheric guitar drones and snake-charmer synth solos.”
The artwork for the single is a portrait of Walters taken by local Brisbane photographer Jamie-Lee Tipo of Coven Capture.
Lyrically, Anxietika delves into Jed’s intimate struggles with anxiety, personifying the relentless fear as the titular goddess who haunts his every step. The chorus echoes the omnipresent nature of anxiety with the refrain “she looms”, capturing the constant sense of unease that accompanies the protagonist’s journey. Joining Jed on vocals is June Gray, lead singer of Brisbane post-punk act Sacred Hearts. June‘s emotive performance adds depth and intensity to the track, embodying the role of Anxietika and bringing the character to life with raw emotion.
For the single, Walters teamed up with Clint Lewis (Red Tape Pictures) to craft a captivating music video. Set in a black void, the video stars both Walters and guest vocalist June Gray, who embodies the hypnotist femme fatale, Anxietika. Throughout the video, Walters and Gray share intense moments of singing, dancing, and playing synthesizers. The visual aesthetic draws inspiration from films like ‘Under The Skin’, with glitchy lighting effects and editing reminiscent of ‘Last Night In Soho’, creating a hypnotic and otherworldly atmosphere.
“Working with June on Anxietika has been a true collaboration,” reflects Walters. “Her ability to convey emotion through her vocals adds a new dimension to the song, creating a hauntingly beautiful experience. I have always loved hearing boy-girl duelling vocals in acts such as Xeno & Oaklander and Lebanon Hanover. There’s just something classy about a duet”, Walter said.
With thanks to 4000 Records
