Slow Crush by Alisa Xayalith

After a decade as one half of The Naked And Famous, New Zealand-born, LA-based singer-songwriter Alisa Xayalith is blooming into a solo artist. With a fresh perspective and a handpicked team of collaborators, including executive producer Tyler Spry (U2, Tate McCrae, OneRepublic), her forthcoming debut album is a collection of dreamy, intimate songs exploring love, loss, and personal growth. A fusion of her diverse background and experiences, Xayalith’s music delves into themes of triumph, heartbreak, and resilience, reflecting the complexities of human connection.

Growing up in South Auckland with six siblings and born to refugee parents, who left Laos from the overspill of the Vietnam war, Alisa Xayalith found solace in music (listening to big female voices like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Whitney Houston). Deeply influenced by the hardships and challenges throughout her personal journey, including the immense loss of her mother at a young age, she picked up the guitar at thirteen and began writing her own songs. This undeniable passion led her to music school and, ultimately, the formation of one of the quintessential 2010s synth-pop acts, The Naked And Famous, a duo with over a billion lifetime streams. Over the past decade-plus, across four studio albums, massive hit singles like “Young Blood” and “Punching In A Dream,” Xayalith’s ability to translate raw emotions into captivating songs has garnered her both critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.

Throughout her career, Alisa Xayalith has been a huge champion of Asian artists and her new era of music reflects that celebration. A chapter influenced by Japanese Breakfast, Mitski, Deb Never, Joji, and Audrey Nina, as well as acts like Feist, Bon Iver, and Fiona Apple. Releasing her debut solo album later this year, she explores love and all its intricacies. Questioning what it means to her and how she found it in other people as well as herself, whether good or bad.

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