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Nastiya Kai Releases Debut Album ‘Demon Era’

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Emerging alt-pop sensation Nastiya Kai has released her highly anticipated debut album, ‘Demon Era’, on May 31, 2024, via her own imprint, Nastiya Kai Music. The album marks a significant milestone in Nastiya’s burgeoning career, following the success of her recent singles “Party At My House” and “Bury Me“. With over 141,500 streams and counting, Nastiya Kai is rapidly establishing herself as a formidable presence in the pop landscape.

‘Demon Era’ is a 13-track journey through themes of mental health, betrayal, desire, and self-empowerment. Each track showcases Nastiya’s ability to blend various genres, creating a rich and eclectic soundscape. From the gritty hyperpop opener “London” to the poignant power ballad “Hey Bridget”, the album offers a diverse array of sounds. ‘Demon Era’ is an explosive, confessional odyssey that resonates with the depths of the human soul. Nastiya Kai’s unique take on alt-pop, charged with piercing honesty and emotional depth, ensures that her debut album is not just an auditory experience but an emotional journey.

Hailing from Moscow and now based in LA, Nastiya Kai is a self-taught musician who began playing piano at a young age and started writing songs at ten. Despite struggles with bullying and mental health during her school years, music has always been her constant companion. Inspired by a wide range of artists, including David Bowie, Daughter, and The Prodigy, Nastiya’s sound has been compared to avant-pop luminaries like Billie Eilish, Grimes, and VÉRITÉ.

Demon Era is a story of my life“, Nastiya explains. “It’s full of chaos, but also very sensitive and sentimental. Making this album allowed me to let go of many things and move on with my life. It’s a blend of many different genres—confusing at times, honest and real. Every song tells a particular story.

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Image credit: Anastacia Belyaeva

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Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

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London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.

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