Live Review: Lupa J shares her escapist fantasies with visuals for new single 'The Crash'

Sydney based singer-songwriter and producer LUPA J might as well add director and actress to the list of simple nouns used to describe her with the release of the stunning video counterpart to her newest single ‘The Crash’. The video (which premiered on triple j Unearthed) leads watchers through the artists’ “ultimate escapist fantasy” as Lupa J’s character evolves from a dazed state to take control of her surroundings, before eventually ending in turbulent self destruction (spoiler alert!).

These themes of self exploration, awareness, destruction and rebirth are rumoured to be central to the artists’ upcoming debut album Swallow Me Whole - an album of which ‘The Crash’ is our third teaser following prior releases ‘You’re In My Headphones’ and ‘Drift’. Said by the artist to be the most true representation of recurring themes on Swallow Me Whole, ‘The Crash’ was written over a year ago when these ideas were first starting to solidify.

“Much of Swallow Me Whole is about a previously untapped queer desire demanding to be felt; presenting itself as an escapist fantasy from a failing long term straight relationship. This track is about how that left me at a standstill - longing for something really significant or destructive to happen, so that my situation would be forced to change because I couldn’t do it myself.”

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lKxF8mJaL0[/embed]

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Visually, the video for ‘The Crash’ pairs soft light of dawn with the harsh illumination of flaming torches, gothic vibes, patchwork quilts and interpretive dance to showcase the internal conflict of Lupa J’s mind as it struggles to make sense of itself. Directed and filmed by the artist herself alongside fellow creative Adam Scarf, the video is a surreal journey through a fantasy dream-scape, featuring scenes from along the stunning New South Wales’ coastline as the artist travels further from her dissociative state.

All in all, if these teasers are anything to go off, Swallow Me Whole is set to be a spectacularly enthralling body of work, with Lupa J setting the bar high for both her debut album and for artists everywhere. Make sure to check it out for yourself before this star takes off.

LUPA J - TOUR DATES

SAT 30 MAR

COMMUNE, OUR HOOD: Take It Back | Tickets here

WEDS 03 APR

NSW Art Gallery, NSW | Free entry

THUR 04 APR

Ted X Youth, Seymour Centre, NSW|Tickets here

SAT 11 MAY

Brendan Maclean Album Tour, The Red Rattler, NSW | Tickets here

THUR 30 MAY

VIVID: WOMAN IN MUSIC, Ziggy's Barber Salon, NSW |Tickets here

Image: SUPPLIED