Max Figueroa Unleashes Passion and Intimacy in New Single "TUNGS"

Los Angeles-based alternative pop artist Max Figueroa is redefining sensuality in music with his latest single, TUNGS—a sultry, emotionally charged track that captures the electric thrill of intimacy in its earliest stages. With poetic lyricism and hypnotic production, TUNGS transforms the physical and emotional connection of two lovers into a cinematic experience—one where touch, discovery, and desire intertwine in a romantic dance.

From the first note, TUNGS pulls listeners into its intoxicating world. The song radiates a warm, dreamy energy, mirroring the rush of excitement when two people explore each other for the first time. Figueroa’s vocals glide effortlessly over the lush, alternative-pop production, creating a sonic experience that feels both euphoric and deeply personal. His lyrics, rich with emotion and layered meaning, invite listeners to embrace the beauty of connection, the unspoken language shared between bodies, and the whispered secrets exchanged through touch.

At its core, TUNGS is a celebration of intimacy, not just in a physical sense, but as a gateway to understanding and closeness. Figueroa’s songwriting paints love and attraction as an art form, where every movement and every glance contributes to a larger, more profound masterpiece. His ability to romanticize the moment makes TUNGS a track that resonates beyond its sensual theme—it becomes an anthem for passion in all forms.

“My hope is that people can leave feeling a bit romantic,” Figueroa shares. “That they can romanticize something in their life, whether it’s sex or a relationship. Really any aspect of life and what a beautiful process it is to begin something new.”

With TUNGS, Max Figueroa invites listeners into a world where love, pleasure, and vulnerability collide in a mesmerizing harmony. It’s a song that doesn’t just capture a feeling—it immerses you in it.

Your music is deeply personal and rooted in self-expression. How did growing up in a conservative environment shape the way you create and connect with your art today?

Growing up, creating was how I communicated. I grew up in Victorville, a desert town in the middle of nowhere. My family was poor & Jehovah Witnesses. I felt so ostracized. I wasn’t like the kids around me & I knew at a young age that I was queer, but I didn’t have the tools or language to express that. So I did what I felt was the only thing I could do. I created. It started with drawing. Which was a cheap hobby, then I started writing & was publishing books by age 7. I would often draw & portray myself as a boy. I was 15 when I first fell in love with music & that changed my life. At this time I was heavily bullied for transitioning. I had a lot of pain that needed to be expressed. I remember when I came out to my siblings, I drew out a spectrum & explained how I felt internally. I also wrote an entire album about my bullying experiences. The thing is, we as humans, we are natural storytellers. When you are being silenced, we find ways to tell our stories. Be it music, film, drag etc. It doesn’t matter…I now connect with my art with a more healing approach vs survival. I’m actively writing my story from a more authentic & healed place. Which has been a beautiful journey.

With TUNGS, you explore intimacy as a kind of romantic dance. What inspired you to take such a poetic and sensual approach to this theme, and how did you translate that feeling into sound?

Well that’s exactly how Tungs started. It was a poem I wrote. I just kept writing “I fall in love, I claim your tongue” But it had this darker meaning at first. I was in a relationship where I felt unheard. I thought to myself, how can you silence your partner & call that love? Hence, “I fall in love, I claim your tongue” But this song has been years in the making & since having left that relationship I was able to play with it a bit more & I just thought hey that could also feel quite romantic. I grabbed my guitar & I just started playing the most prettiest chords I could find. Once I’ve found it I played a finger plucking pattern that felt genuine. There’s something about playing on a flamenco guitar as well that makes it so intimate. It just feels so raw. The sound translated so beautifully while I was in the studio with producer & good friend of mine, Ernest Lee. He really pushed me to play with my music. But ultimately my goal was to write a pretty ballad that I can serenade people with.

You’ve described music as your ‘best friend’ and a form of escapism. What role does vulnerability play in your songwriting, especially when tackling themes like love and desire?

Vulnerability is the heart of my music. For me, music has always been a safe space. A best friend that I could turn to when I didn’t have the words to express how I felt out loud. When I write, I try to be as honest as possible, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s where the real magic happens. Love & desire are human experiences that can also be layered with fear, longing, or shame. Especially as a queer person. Writing about them vulnerably allows me to reclaim those feelings & offer a sense of liberation, not just for myself, but for others who hear it & feel seen. Vulnerability isn’t weakness in my work, it’s the power source.

Alternative pop is a broad genre with a lot of creative freedom. How do you carve out your unique sound within it, and what artists or influences have shaped your approach?

Firstly I love alternative pop for that reason. It’s very broad & you have so much freedom. I’m pretty early in my recording journey but I think I carve out my unique sound simply by my approach to music itself. I’m loving finding new ways to make my music sound dreamy. It’s that broadness that allows me to create with an open mind & expirement. I’ve been inspired by many artists but I am heavily influenced by 90’s alternative rock pop bands. I admire bands from Nirvana, The Stone Roses, Sonic Youth, No Doubt & Coldplay.

Beyond TUNGS, what stories are you excited to tell through your music moving forward? Are there any upcoming projects or themes you’re eager to explore?

I’m eager to explore themes such as healing the inner child, love & liberation, community, & justice. I’m also interested in telling stories about resilience. What it means to rebuild yourself after heartbreak & being misunderstood. There’s so much power in turning pain into something beautiful. I’m currently working on a few new songs that lean into dreamier, more emotional themes. Think lullabies for the inner child & anthems for queer love. There’s a whole world I’m building, one that feels both authentic & hopeful & I can’t wait to invite y’all into it