While LÂLKA is renowned for boundary-pushing electronic music, the artist’s latest energetic track and its video titled ‘Yves Klein’ take things a step further still with her first single of her upcoming Willfire (Zhì Huǒ 志火) EP.

The single’s title is cleverly referenced in the track lyrics as a synonymous adjective to loneliness, with the accent hue of blue which the pioneering French artist Yves Klein was known for, being used in the corresponding  visualiser to represent loneliness:

“I wanna feel the opposite of loneliness
Feel the red flame to my Yves Klein
Summer to my midnight
Feel your warmth when I hold tight” 

The electronic dance track leans heavily into the bass and trap genres and features LÂLKA’s signature synth hooks and high-octane production, whilst paying homage to ethnic influences.

“I wanted to incorporate hints of my Chinese and Bidayuh heritage into the music without it being blatantly cliche,” the multi-instrumentalist explains. “ The tuning system of the ethnic instruments was definitely an interesting challenge to incorporate into a dubstep/trap track like Yves Klein.”

When discussing the song’s meaning, LÂLKA says: “This song explores the feeling of loneliness through the lens of retrospection. Drawing from my personal experiences of profound loneliness, I now write from a place of different existence. This contrast allows me to vividly highlight the stark difference between the two states of being, by combining contrasting musical elements: a somber, introspective melody set against a sudden, energetic percussive drop.”

LÂLKA takes her creative vision a step further by collaborating with fans to create unique visualiser for the song using generative AI for world-building. This approach showcases her willingness to embrace new technologies, whilst including fans, in her art.

LÂLKA has a history of technological innovation in her work, having previously released music on blockchain platforms. Addressing the controversial nature of AI in art, she explains her stance:

“As an artist, my curiosity drives me to explore and experiment with new technologies. I prefer to use these tools hands-on and form my own opinions, rather than staying on the sidelines and letting others influence my perspective.”

Yves Klein also marks the launch of the Alternate Reality Game (ARG) that LÂLKA has developed for the Willfire EP, where fans can solve puzzles, unlock hidden worlds and win rewards. 

“It’s a way I can share the whole experience with my fans” the artist notes. “Instead of just listening to the music, they get to feel it and interact with it in a whole new way.” The game will launch on LÂLKA’s website when Yves Klein is officially released on streaming platforms on August 7th.