FKA Twigs’ fourth studio album, ”Eusexua,” marks a significant departure from her earlier avant-garde art-pop, embracing a vibrant and empowering exploration of dance music and personal liberation. The album’s genesis can be traced back to Twigs’ time in Prague during the filming of ”The Crow,” where she immersed herself in the city’s techno scene, experiencing a transcendent state of ecstasy she termed ”eusexua.” This experience, a feeling of moving beyond human form through dance and music, became the conceptual foundation for the album. While the initial promotional material, featuring Twigs and her entourage in a stylized industrial setting, risked bordering on parody, the completed album transcends these initial impressions, delivering a compelling and deeply personal artistic statement.
”Eusexua” represents Twigs’ reclamation of her own well-being, utilizing the club environment not as a backdrop for heartbreak, as seen in her earlier work like ”Tears in the Club,” but as a catalyst for personal growth and liberation. This shift marks a notable evolution in Twigs’ persona, showcasing a newfound strength and luminosity. The album builds upon the sonic exploration initiated in her 2022 mixtape ”Caprisongs,” where she moved away from the more experimental sounds of her earlier work, embracing genres like R&B, afrobeats, and dancehall, drawing comparisons to artists like Beyoncé rather than Kate Bush.
With ”Eusexua,” Twigs further refines her sound, crafting a dance-oriented sonic landscape that draws inspiration from 90s electronica and glitch-infused electro, genres she has explored previously but never with such focused intensity. The album’s production evokes a retro-futuristic atmosphere, creating a captivating sonic tapestry. Tracks like ”Girl Feels Good” evoke the suggestive trance-pop of Madonna’s ”Ray of Light” era, while ”Room of Fools” showcases Twigs’ vocal prowess, drawing comparisons to Björk and establishing itself as an instant classic.
The underlying theme of ”Eusexua” is one of empowerment and self-discovery. The album chronicles Twigs’ journey towards reclaiming her agency, transforming the club environment into a space of personal liberation and transcendence. This theme of finding strength and joy within oneself permeates the entirety of the album, creating a powerful and uplifting narrative. The album showcases Twigs’ artistic maturity and her willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles, resulting in a cohesive and compelling body of work.
”Eusexua” demonstrates a mastery of both emotional depth and sonic innovation. The album is not simply a collection of dance tracks, but a carefully constructed narrative that explores themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and the transformative power of music. The meticulous attention to detail in both the production and lyrical content elevates the album beyond mere genre exercise, transforming it into a powerful and deeply personal artistic statement. Twigs’ vulnerability shines through, making the album all the more resonant and relatable.
Overall, ”Eusexua” solidifies FKA Twigs’ position as a dynamic and innovative force in contemporary music. Her willingness to experiment with new sounds, combined with her deeply personal and introspective songwriting, creates an album that is both captivating and emotionally resonant. The euphoric atmosphere and meticulously crafted production draw the listener into Twigs’ world, inviting them to share in her journey of self-discovery and liberation. The album’s standout tracks, including ”Room of Fools” and ”Sticky,” showcase the breadth of Twigs’ artistic vision, highlighting her ability to craft both introspective ballads and infectious dance anthems. ”Eusexua” is not just an album; it’s an experience, an invitation to join Twigs on her journey of self-discovery and embrace the transformative power of music and dance.
