Nilüfer Yanya unlocks a tense groove on “the dealer”

PAINLESS is out March 4.

February 28, 2022
Nilüfer Yanya unlocks a tense groove on “the dealer” Nilüfer Yanya. Photo by Molly Daniel  

Nilüfer Yanya has brought some rare dynamism to indie rock since the release of her 2019 debut Miss Universe, but she's been operating on a new and exciting frequency with her singles from PAINLESS, the London artist's sophomore project out this Friday, March 4. Lead track "stabilise" was a coiled post-punk shredder, "midnight sun" channeled concussed Johnny Greenwood vibes, and "another life," a pitch-perfect prom ballad for the poorly socialized post-COVID masses. "the dealer," her newest song, opens PAINLESS, and the song's driving beat and dreamy guitar feel like being shoved across the threshold and until Yanya's world. Listen below:

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"When I was writing this song," Yanya said in a press statement, "I was thinking about the transient nature of life and the cyclical nature of the seasons. I find it interesting how we attach certain memories and feelings to different seasons and tend to revisit them time and time again, yet our lives move in a more linear motion and even when we feel like we are going back we never really get to go back anywhere. Musically speaking it's a bit more playful and relaxed."

Nilüfer Yanya unlocks a tense groove on “the dealer”