“I listen to my instincts,” Adéla states.
The Slovakian-born, LA-based alt-pop artist reflects on her experiences in the music industry, navigating its dangerous pitfalls and predatory aspects. The past year has been remarkable – after a (possibly fortunate) departure from the Netflix show Dream Academy, everything has aligned in her favor. With clear intent, her recent single ‘Machine Girl’ showcased a future-pop brilliance, featuring a rare collaboration with the modern icon Grimes.
Her new release ‘DeathByDevotion’ elevates the bar even higher. Blending contemporary dance, visual art, and innovative electronic production, it serves as a powerful declaration from a unique female creator.
“I consume a lot of pop music,” Adéla reflects. “I believe I understand what my fans enjoy and what they may desire. If I like it, then others will likely appreciate it too, as we share similar tastes.”
“I’m a pop culture enthusiast. Growing up, my dad was well-versed in World War II history, and I possess extensive knowledge of pop culture! That’s my World War II,” she chuckles.
Looking back at her influential pop icons, she mentions several names – Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Madonna, Beyonce – who represent her artistic idols. Her passion for culture informs her creativity and propels her forward. During challenging periods, pop music shielded Adéla from the external world.
“I’ve had no option but to truly understand myself,” she contemplates. “Many experiences could have shaken me so much that I would lose my sense of self, but I realized I must value myself more than allow a third party to disrupt that self-worth.”
Her time on Dream Academy lingers in her thoughts. “It’s intriguing,” she comments, choosing her words carefully. “I learned how easily an audience can be swayed. I’m highly aware of my narrative. I thought we had more media literacy to prevent everyone from attacking a group of – at that time – teenage girls. It’s astonishingly easy to influence people’s thinking.”
Empowered and assertive, her current wave of alt-pop anthems represents a form of retribution – the darkness is palpable, but there’s also a sense of brightness. “I want it to be playful,” she describes her creative process. “I aim for a specific atmosphere in the studio.”
“There’s no other way to craft a good song, one that genuinely reflects me. If you don’t truly understand and connect with me, how will you accomplish that?”
As a European in Los Angeles, Adéla has dedicated herself to building her community. Navigating between two worlds, she still occasionally feels like an outsider. “Many people in LA enjoy going out, believing that networking will lead them to their goals. I’ve always thought that hard work would take you further. That was my approach – I’d be hustling in the studio, and if I create quality music, then the right collaborators will want to work with me.”
Fully committed to her art, music surrounds every facet of Adéla’s life. Even in her leisure moments, she finds herself practicing dance routines or layering harmonies using her Loopstation. “It’s such a beautiful, transcendent experience,” she shares. “It grounds me. Hearing my voice and layering it feels almost meditative. It’s incredibly relaxing.”
At this moment, everything is falling into place. The new single ‘DeathByDevotion’ is exceptional, an untamed expression of pop at its most rebellious. Collaborating closely with a dedicated team, she refined the song through five different iterations, exploring various directions before settling on the final version.
“It struck me as a visceral, tense, yet euphoric and aggressive journey,” she explains. “It explores the darker side of resilience. While resilience is often praised, I can be resilient to a degree that becomes detrimental. I struggle to recognize when to stop, which takes a toll on me. It’s the burden of having been disciplined throughout my life.”
Available now, ‘DeathByDevotion’ features an extravagant video that pushed Adéla to her limits. Chris Horan assisted with styling, while she collaborated with Robbie Blue on the intricate dance choreography. “We were running short on time,” she remembers, “and it stressed me out! I was in pointe shoes, hadn’t practiced ballet in years, and we were against the clock.”
“A part of the video’s narrative involves me twisting my ankle – I rolled it. Since I hadn’t warmed up properly… that actually happened! Life imitating art, right? But it was a blast.”
Like her early inspirations, Adéla aims for every element of the release to resonate with one another. “Everything is interconnected,” she asserts. “It’s another piece of the puzzle fitting into my vision.”
There’s much more to come. The LA-based artist intends to release more music this year, sharing her story in the most genuine manner
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“I rely on my instincts,” Adéla expresses. The alt-pop multifaceted artist from Slovakia, now based in Los Angeles, reflects on her path within the music industry, including its dangerous pitfalls and