Today, singer and producer Aluna released her highly anticipated sophomore album, MYCELiUM. The album follows the release of Aluna’s current focus track, “Running Blind,” featuring Tchami and Kareen Lomax.
The British artist originally got her start as one half of the electronic duo AlunaGeorge with George Reid. You may know the pair best for their 2013 hit album Body Music or maybe from their collaboration with DJ Snake, “You Know You Like It,” for which the duo received a Billboard Music Awards nomination. The duo has created some of the biggest hits of the 2010s, but now it’s time for Aluna to create some hits on her own.
Separate from AlunaGeorge, Aluna has since created a name for herself in the electronic music scene with her solo career. Aluna’s first album Renaissance was released in 2020, with features from Princess Nokia, KAYTRANADA, SG Lewis, and more.
Aluna had previously released several songs off the new album, including “Killing Me (with TSHA)”, “Oh The Glamour (with Pabllo Vittar, MNEK, and Eden Prince)”, “Mine O’ Mine” (with Jayda G), “Beggin’ (with Chris Lake)”, and hit song “Kiss It Better” (with MK)” which was released in September of 2022.
The album starts off with a spoken introduction titled “Before the Bloom,” opening the record to us with a poem written by Aluna.
What comes before the bloom?
The plush petals,
The scented blossoms,
The tender leaves,
The sweetest fruit
And the darkest poison
Deep underground, life begins
Interconnected, sharing secrets
Dividing power, a life force all around
Unseen
– Aluna in “Before the Bloom”
“The Way I’m Wired” is a dark, techno track with a synth-heavy beat while Aluna’s vocals float above the music. The song feels like it would easily fit into a science-fiction movie with its futuristic vibes. Afterwards, we shift gears into a much more classic house sound with “Underwater” with Route94. “Supernova” with Picard Brothers and Kaleena Zanders keeps the lighter vibes with a disco track that transports us into space.
We then transition once again through a spoken interlude on “Love and Money” which perfectly leads us into “Oh The Glamour.” Focused on being fabulous, the song can fit into any pregame or getting-ready playlist.
Aluna collaborated with French producer Tchami and singer-songwriter Kareen Lomax on the focus single “Running Blind”, an upbeat dance track about finding freedom and truly letting yourself go.
“This is an unusual track on the album because Tchami actually sent me this beat and I wrote on it remotely. The irresistible sound just immediately made me think of the insatiable pull that freedom has on me. I met Kareen Lomax on the night Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win a GRAMMY for Best Dance/Electronic album and we celebrated together. The next morning, I knew she had to tell this story with me. In my experience, freedom isn’t something you win on your own, just like I wasn’t able to singlehandedly change the industry foe Black women. When Kareen effortlessly added her poetry, the song took on a whole new level and I finally felt like it was doing the job it was meant.”
– Aluna on working with Tchami and Kareen Lomax for “Running Blind”
“Sugar” is a classic electronic and house song, with a heavy bass, trap beats, and Aluna’s smooth voice blending perfectly with the instrumentals. The track was made with Preditah and Lauren Faith, whose voice has such a similar tone to Aluna’s that the two blend together effortlessly. “Beggin'” with Chris Lake is the most popular song off the album so far, already reaching over 14 million streams on Spotify.
“Playin Wit Ya” sees Aluna joining Walker & Royce to create another darker electronic track, more reminiscent of the dubstep and dark house genres than the lighter sounds we normally see Aluna in.
MYCELiUM has an overall theme of embracing freedom and expressing individuality, possibly referencing her continuing to establish her solo career. “Mine O’ Mine” featuring Jayda G reminds you to remember your worth and never give up on getting what you deserve. The closing track, “Future” with Kooldrink, is a magnetic song about taking control of what’s in front of you, repeating the phrase “the future is mine.”
Aluna will be heading out on a North American tour this fall alongside several festival dates, including appearances at North Coast Festival in Chicago and Higher Ground Festival in Seattle. She will also be performing during Splash House‘s 10-Year Anniversary August Lineup as part of a double weekend event. Get tickets to see Aluna live this fall here.
Listen to Aluna’s brand new album, MYCELiUM below.
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