Manchester’s own, Lusaint, talks about her latest single ‘Sober’, her eclectic musical diet, and how her debut EP will be the perfect introduction to her artistry.

You know the term ‘overnight sensation’? Well, never has it been more fitting than for singer-songwriter Lusaint. Not only did she top the charts, she also broke records, smashing the record for the most Shazams in a single day (23,000) with her hauntingly beautiful cover of En Vogue’s ‘Don’t Let Go (Love)’, swiftly making it the UK’s most sought-after song.

 

This fairy-tale rise to fame is hardly a surprise after hearing Lusaint’s music. The allure is instant; every track brims with authenticity and raw emotion at every turn. Drawing upon jazz, soul and blues, she fuses these styles to a heavy pop undercurrent, whisking up a vintage sound that incorporates contemporary tinges.

 

Since her inception in 2019, Lusaint has released several singles and acoustic covers that have taken her to the apex of her career. Her covers of Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy In Love’ and Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ stand out, with the latter amassing over 11 million views on YouTube. Paving the way for her debut EP release later this year, Lusaint continues to up the ante, dropping earworm-worthy singles that give us a taste of what’s to come.

 

Lusaint kicked off 2024 with ‘Sweet Tooth’, an upbeat number featuring slinky piano chords and a funky bassline. She wrapped up last year with the jazz-imbued ‘Dream Life’, where she bared her soul more deeply than ever before. Her latest track, ‘Sober’, delves into the narrative of a toxic relationship and the realisation that it’s no longer good for you. Layered with raw emotion, the track traverses vibrant horn arrangements and a wailing bassline that perfectly accompanies its groove. But the production swiftly acts as a backdrop when Lusaint’s powerhouse vocals sweep the soundscape, driving the narrative of the single further with an inch of soulful energy.

 

Gearing up to release her new EP, Self Sabotage, we catch up with Lusaint before she blows to talk about her new track, ‘Sober’, having an eclectic musical diet, and how her debut EP will be the perfect introduction to her artistry.

Hey Lusaint, how’s your 2024 going so far? 
Really great, thank you! I’m feeling excited this week as I’ll be heading to France for my first tour.

Your new single, ‘Sober’, just dropped. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and its themes of navigating a toxic relationship?

This track was the first I wrote with the producer I have continued to work with ever since creating it. As much as it’s about trying to navigate a toxic relationship, it also stood for everything else in my life at the time. It came from struggling to understand which direction my life was going and who I was as an artist. This was the missing piece of the puzzle for me and it was really special to find that.

With ‘Sober’ featuring a bright arrangement and a vibrant horn section, how did you approach the musical composition of this track compared to your previous releases?

I listened to a lot of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, etc, and the horns are almost always the special part of their songs. I knew that ‘Sober’ needed one, and as soon as we recorded it in the studio, it was amazing hearing it for the first time. I wrote the section originally with a guitar, so hearing it come to life with a full band and horns was incredible.
The stripped-back music video for ‘Sober’ showcases a more intimate side of your performance. What was the creative vision behind this video, and how does it reflect the song’s message?

I felt it was important to showcase the lyrics and vocals in this song, despite having such a ‘big band’ sound around me. I think the video illuminated how I felt when I first wrote it. The lyrics are quite sad and I wanted to capitalise on more of the meaning.

Your music blends soul, jazz and blues influences. How do you go about creating a distinctive sound that combines these genres?

I’ve always loved jazz and blues music but only until a couple of years ago did I start to create it. I was always a little too afraid to explore something that I felt so passionately about, but as soon as I walked from my comfort zone, it felt like an obvious transition from everything I’d created before. It has been such a beautiful process to create music I truly love.

You’ve received tremendous support from major figures like Clara Amfo and Jack Saunders. How does recognition from influential personalities impact your journey as an artist?

It’s been incredible. Every single radio play is still an indescribable feeling and to have these people that I have always looked up to play my music is so special!

Your single, ‘Sweet Tooth’, garnered over a million streams and significant radio play across Europe. What do you think resonates most with listeners about this track?

I think the production is something that grabs you from the start. I wanted the darkness of the lyrics to really match the production. I went in to the writing session thinking I would write something very light hearted about my obsession with sugar but as the lyrics started writing themselves, it quite quickly turned a little darker!

Your debut EP, Self Sabotage, is highly anticipated. Can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from this project?

I love that this EP is my first original project and I’m thankful to have a band who have brought my music to life. The composition of the music, track by track, is special to me with a horn section, string arrangements and even darker lyrics!

You have an exciting tour coming up, including a sold-out show at L’Archipel in Paris. How are you preparing for these performances, and what can fans expect from your live shows?

I’m so excited for these shows. I will be performing with guitar and percussion as a trio. In rehearsals, we decided to bring in some new unreleased music to try out and I’m so happy with how it’s sounding! I also can’t wait to play the songs from my EP.

Since your breakthrough in 2019, you’ve collaborated with high-profile brands like Chanel and Dior. How do these fashion collaborations influence your music and personal style?

It’s such a special feeling to wear something that makes you confident, especially when performing. Expressing your identity through fashion is a vital part of being a musician, so having such incredible brands help innovate and bring my ideas to life is incredible.

What’s next for you?

I’m really excited to perform on live French television straight after the tour and will also be doing a number of festivals this year including Boardmasters, Neighbourhood Manchester, Cosmic Cape and The Wyldes.

Listen to 'Sober' now: