After featuring on BBC Radio One’s Future Artists and Spotify’s New Music Friday, Brat-Pop duo ZELA announce their exhilarating new single ‘HIGH WASTED GENES’
(Available on all major streaming platforms Friday 23rd September)
ZELA, siblings from the North-East of England, have created a dark and imaginative brand of attitude-laced alt-electronic pop. Think Charli XCX meets Wolf Alice, with a hint of Doja Cat and Yungblud. Dirty, pulsing basslines meet distortion-soaked synths and driving, electronic drum beats, and the pair have become known for their signature use of sampling front-woman Liv Griff’s vocal and using it as an instrument in itself.
New single ‘High Wasted Genes’ explores youthful freedom; bad behaviour, taking risks and the impulsivities that come with being human. This punky, dark-party anthem, born out of a time of social restrictions, is an unchained, passionate expression of Liv’s emotions towards the importance of surrounding yourself with those who set fire to your soul, and living in the moment when the primal urge to do so takes over.
Pulsating 808s and vocal samples tear us into the track, before drummer Max Griff pilots the chaos with a driving display of live & electronic rhythm; a perfect example of the hybrid style the pair are becoming known for. With lyrics inspired by human connection, wild nights with friends, festival debauchery and relishing in the beauty of the comedown together; there’s also a deeper undertone to the track which explores themes of progressive politics in recent times, and embracing who you truly are to your core, flaws and all.
‘High Wasted Genes’ will be accompanied by stunning visual content in the form of the duo’s debut music video, directed and filmed by Ollie Rillands. Shot on location in Newcastle, the video sees the pair night-rioting throughout a disused hotel, an empty nightclub and a windswept Northern beach, in true high-energy ZELA fashion.
‘High Wasted Genes’ music video released Friday 30th September.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2020, ZELA have delivered a string of singles, each exploring complex topics and their own brand of dark, imaginative Brat-Pop. The duo have received numerous plays on BBC Radio 1, alongside features on Future Artists with Jack Saunders. In addition to this, ZELA have gained massive support from BBC Introducing, numerous official Spotify playlistings (including New Music Friday and New Pop UK), and have begun to amass a loyal, dedicated following.
Over the last year, ZELA have begun to make bold moves within the live music scene, quickly establishing themselves as an act not to be missed on a line-up. Dubbed by Jack Saunders as “Nine Inch Nails-meets-Ariana Grande”, their live performance is a supercharged, high-energy experience encapsulating Liv Griff’s magnetic, on-stage persona and Max Griff’s frenzied ability on the kit. Having recently shared line-ups with The Libertines, DMAs, Larkins, Bob Vylan, Self Esteem, Blossoms and Holly Humberstone, ZELA have plans for an exciting year ahead, with future live dates including their first UK headline tour, the follow-up single to ‘High Wasted Genes’ and their debut EP in store.
