Shiny New Thing is a journey through the preservation of identity and embraces the fact that artists can be multifaceted without compromising their authenticity in pursuit of becoming the next ‘shiny new thing’. With each track meticulously crafted to showcase CXLOE‘s dynamic range and artistic vision, the album is poised to solidify her status as one of Australia’s most exciting musical talents.
CXLOE says of the album, “When looking back on the music I’ve been writing for the past 2 years, a common theme emerged. Specifically tracks like ‘Shiny New Thing’, ‘Shapeshifter ‘and ‘Cheating on Myself’ delve into my complex relationship with identity, the necessity to morph into whatever is required in the moment—sometimes facetiously, sometimes out of pure survival instinct.
The decision to create an album gave me the opportunity and time to experiment with diverse sounds, allowing me to reconcile all these different sides and realize that there is beauty in pop music’s obsession with reinvention. This album embraces the fact that artists can be multifaceted without compromising their authenticity in pursuit of becoming the next ‘shiny new thing’.”
Tell us about this debut record. What’s the main message and theme?
My debut album, “Shiny New Thing,” is a meditation on preserving my identity in a world that incessantly demands reinvention and everlasting youthfulness. Struggling with this delicate balance, I’ve found myself being constantly tested with the challenge of remaining relevant in a society fixated on transient moments rather than enduring art.
I feel that the music industry and the way society views women puts such a premium on marketability, which is why titling my album ‘Shiny New Thing’ felt very fitting. During the process of writing this album, an article was published where a music executive commented that there was no ‘new talent’ emerging…This was so heartbreaking and frustrating to read. I’ve had the privilege to work alongside such incredible, hardworking, TALENTED artists over the years – ready and waiting (and working) for the industry to value the enduring over the ephemeral. When looking back on the music I’ve been writing for the past 2 years, a common theme emerged. Specifically tracks like ‘Shiny New Thing’, ‘Shapeshifter ‘and ‘Cheating on Myself ‘ delve into my complex relationship with identity, the necessity to morph into whatever is required in the moment—sometimes facetiously, sometimes out of pure survival instinct.
The decision to create an album gave me the opportunity and time to experiment with diverse sounds, allowing me to reconcile all these different sides and realize that there is beauty in pop music’s obsession with reinvention. This album embraces the fact that artists can be multifaceted without compromising their authenticity in pursuit of becoming the next ‘Shiny New Thing.’
What about Shiny New Thing makes it the main track?
I wanted the album to ride the fine line of tongue and cheek and stark reality. The title Track Shiny New Thing is both ironic and extremely literal. As the main theme of the record is reinvention, it felt fitting to have this song as the main track as it explores the desperation I’ve felt as an artist to be seen and heard and the ways in which you consider abandoning yourself in order to gain this visibility. Over the few years I wrote this album, I found myself somewhere between giving up and giving in, Shiny New Thing perfectly captures this feeling. Fred Again inspired this track and album sonically as I wanted it to very much sit in the ‘dance cry’ world, so having this as the title track helped set up this universe.
You mention you had a complex relationship with your identity. What do you mean?
So much of my artist project is centered around my alter ego and world building through imagery so when I found myself being influenced by the industry to reinvent myself I really had to sit down and understand what this meant for me. I’m hell bent on preserving my identity in a world that incessantly demands reinvention and everlasting youthfulness but i’m also aware of how the society we live in is fixated on transient moments rather than enduring art. Whilst writing this album and over the past few years i’ve really felt that pressure and necessity to morph into whatever is required in the moment—sometimes facetiously, sometimes out of pure survival instinct.
How have you and your art evolved since you started releasing music?
I’ve been lucky enough to have been releasing music for 7 years now, and I would say that I have evolved in the way that I write purely for myself and myself only. With the rise of social media over the past 5 years, I felt a shift in the messaging in a lot of songs being geared to catchy one liners that would be used for TikTok etc. I made sure I doubled down that I wasn’t writing for my lyrics to be used in short form content and rather to be listened to over multiple times to really understand and land.
Who is someone you would love to write for that you haven’t yet?
I’d love to write for and with Tove Lo. I am so inspired by her and think our sonic, conceptual worlds would go so well together!
First record or artist you ever listened to?
Blue by Joni Mitchell. She taught me so much about songwriting and storytelling from an early age and I will always go back to this album whenever I’m feeling stuck or needing to reconnect with how to convey a message.
What’s in the works for your next move?
The next move for me is to disappear off socials for a little bit and enter back into the songwriting cycle for my next project. I feel like i’m so sick of seeing myself online and others probably are too(!!) so I’m excited for this!