Xenya Genovese aka Freak Slug is a Manchester-born indie-pop artist whose smooth vocals and eclectic sound have been gracing music platforms since 2019 with her single ‘Disorder’. Her EP, “Viva la Vulva”, released in March is a departure from her beginnings with ‘Disorder’ – it explores love in different forms and stages. The album is an exciting mish mash of 80s and 2010s indie pop. There is a comforting aura around it, reminiscent of bedroom pop that has gained popularity in recent years. Freak Slug is fearlessly herself in the aptly named “Viva La Vulva” not shying away from a more experimental sound as we get to experience a diverse range of songs.

‘27 club’ encapsulates a youthful 2010’s essence whilst its lyrics allude to something darker. The 27 club is a list or group of popular celebrities who died at the age of 27. Freak Club sings of a mysterious figure with “blue eyes” whom she is a “stranger” to- alluding to the fact that she’s lost him to suicide and spends the song reflecting upon their first meetings. Here the 27 club is a physical space where Freak Slug and this mysterious figure’s paths have once intertwined.

‘Kiss the Devil’ is more mellow in tone as Freak Slug seamlessly weaves a tale of a femme fatale and the bounds in which she can pursue a relationship with this woman. She acknowledges that “girl is trouble” but pursues her, dancing with (and in this case, kissing) the devil seems to be worth it in this cautionary number.

‘Sleepover Mood’ possesses a trance like melody fitting for its mood, almost lulling the listener in, quietly seductive in its lyrics. It has an almost bohemian feel to it, somewhere on a beach house in Hawaii but also what you’d hear playing out of a jukebox at an 80s diner, maybe even a sleepover. That’s the beauty of Freak Slug. She’s ever-changing and incredibly versatile.

‘Viva La Vulva’ – the title track of the EP is aptly named and is boldly Freak Slug, she effortlessly explores one’s sexuality through lyricism and viva la vulva is a statement in itself – more power to women. There’s a lofi, space-wave energy present, with a constant synth accompanying us on an intergalactic journey across the singer’s exploration of lustful one night stands. A haunting feeling hangs above the song – almost teasing listeners, spinning them into this scene. This is a refreshing take on a topic which is juggled with so much in songs, the lighthearted vibe to it is revitalising.

Viva La Vulva is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.