Emerging Queer Nonbinary artist Nuépa is turning up the heat this summer with their electrifying new single, "Friction," from their debut EP of the same name.
Hailing from Portugal and now based in Canada, Nuépa is a multi-talented musician who seamlessly blends various genres, including pop, dance, and rap, to create a unique sound. With a powerful focus on identity, sexuality, and mental health in their music, Nuépa is quickly proving to be a fearless artist who isn't afraid to push boundaries and speak their truth.
As the first single from their debut EP of the same name, "Friction" is a perfect introduction to Nuépa's infectious sound and style. Seamlessly blending lush vocals with groovy electronic production brimming with upbeat summer energy, this new track will get you out of your seat and moving your feet.
Diving deeper into "Friction," you'll be drawn in by the pulsating dance beats and cool house vibes from the get-go. In an instant, Nuépa transports you from the sweltering summer days to the breezy, carefree nights in the club, on the beach, or anywhere with a speaker and good house tunes.
Nuépa's impressive vocal range shines throughout "Friction," effortlessly switching between smooth, jazz-infused vocals and intimate, bouncy rap verses. The combination of these elements, paired with the steamy and sultry lyrics, make this track a thrilling listening experience that explores the intoxicating push-and-pull of primal attraction.
Get ready to fall in love with Nuépa's mesmerizing sound and feel the "Friction." Find the hot new single on all digital streaming platforms.
Welcome to Buzz, Nuépa! Congratulations on the release of your sizzling new single, "Friction." What inspired you to create such a captivating and danceable track?
Stepping into a club at a time when you are still figuring yourself out is such a powerful moment in your life. The anticipation before the first time you dance with a stranger is almost as indescribable as the feeling when it finally happens. “Friction” is a song that captures that electric moment, especially as so many of us still struggle to freely share ourselves with others. I wanted to create something sensual and fun for people to enjoy this summer to remind us all of that joy.
How does "Friction" represent you as an artist?
This song really showcases my sentimental side. “Friction” falls in the cooler range of the Nuépa sound, so I wrote softer rap vocals to bridge the vulnerable singing moments to the softer, more intimate hook. This track really represents my approach to intimacy in music: smooth, reflective, and sexy.
How does it showcase your unique style, sound, and blend of genres/influences?
I always like to lean into a different genre when I make new music. I enjoy so many different sounds, so I tend to incorporate styles and samples that I’m feeling at that moment. We’ve been having a major renaissance of classic house music in the last few years. While I’ve flirted with that genre in songs like “Bicycle” and “In You,” I wanted to serve warm vocals over a cool house instrumental to showcase another way in which house can be blended. That being said, some of my best tracks are raunchy, no-limits sex anthems, while others are softer, introspective bops. I like to think “Friction” falls somewhat in the middle.
Can you tell us about the recording process for "Friction" and what it was like working with producer Owen Puckett and engineer Christopher Crear?
“Friction” was produced and recorded with Owen P (Producer OP) at Secret Weapon Sound over the past year. We spent many sessions perfecting it, but the actual structure and vocals in the song were completed very early on. Owen is incredibly open-minded and collaborative - he’s one of the few producer-engineers you can build something from the ground up with. He took a vibe and gave it musicality in a way that blended our creative touches into something wholly unique.
I’m lucky to have known Chris from his work on mastering my previous singles. Chris is a veteran engineer at the renowned MetalWorks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario. He’s worked with some of the biggest artists in the world, including our own Canadian-grown music giants. With the immaculate production that OP did on the track, I knew “Friction” deserved nothing less than the best possible master, which is why I reached out to Chris to help complete this very special single.
"Friction" is the first single from your upcoming debut EP of the same name. What can fans expect from the rest of the project, and how does this track set the tone?
“Friction” is just a taste of what’s in the EP. The first step. If this single is dipping your toe in the water, the rest of my EP will drown you in unapologetically queer love, sex, and jubilation. I love when a record takes you on a journey, so be prepared to experience a full story and some surprising features on the “Friction” EP. I am incredibly proud to be able to share my growth as an artist with my fans, and the selection of sounds I’ve put together will leave anyone who listens hooked by the first bar.
As a Queer Nonbinary artist, how important is it for you to explore themes of identity, sexuality, and mental health through your music, and how do you approach incorporating these topics into your songs?
As an artist, music is my relationship between emotion and the world around me. My identity is a coalescence of many things, including my experiences as a queer, neurodivergent person. Exploring these themes is why I make music. When I was growing up, I didn’t have role models to whom I could relate. I always felt like I wasn’t enough for those around me. As I discovered my queerness, I began to realize how sexuality and mental health intersect – they are inseparable. The themes I explore in my music are a reaction to those intersections…like how I feel certain topics should be approached.
As always, the artist’s perspective will be embedded in the music, but there will also be the listener. When I write, I try to be exceedingly personal with my sentiments while still leaving room in the lyrics for the listener to find themselves in the song's messages. Visibility is extremely important, however I think we often overlook the necessity of the tools that can facilitate that visibility for others. I explore my personal experiences in a way that (hopefully) allows those who listen to imprint their context on the music to feel a deep sense of ownership and visibility in relating to their own identities.