Rushaki Offers A Gritty Ode To A Conflicted Personality On 'Princess Isolation'

If Rushaki's debut album 'She Speaks' was about mental health and the struggles with it, her new EP 'Princess Isolation' is about embracing and speaking to the personality that's born out of it with all of its conflicts.

Whether through the warped old vinyl record-like sounds that kick off 'Pushing', the lyrical sneer of opener 'The Man', or the general grit that defines the hard-hitting electronic drums and basslines, there is a general sense of darkness in the production which pairs uniquely with the upbeat melodies of the songwriting. The fact that the most upbeat track, both in its tempo and mood, is a song about escapism called 'Bullet in my Head' further alludes to that.

The Goa-based artist is a self-acclaimed bedroom producer who makes music "for the kids sitting alone in their room, trying to connect with their thoughts". Understandably, her work is defined by a lo-fi nature. While for most parts that quality adds a raw edge to her music, well-suited for the themes she deals with, it does leave wanting for one polished layer. Contrary to how confidently the songwriting embraces all faults and facets of the self, the vocals remain abashedly veiled behind varying effects or layers of themselves, keeping back something strong to hold on to and to elevate and contrast against the rest.

Listen to 'Princess Isolation' below and follow Rushaki for more.