Let It Be Me

Glory

Conquer (The Only Thing They Fear Is You)

I think this is the one where I used a classic soul progression. The packaging at the start that imitates a DJ scratch rhythm came when I accidentally touched a mi goreng pack of noodles around the mic and it fit so I used that. The stop start is influenced by ‘I Try’ by Macy Grey. Then a trademark 4 layers of cello for the chorus. It’s 4 layers cos that’s how I get the cellos to have enough power that I want. First time doing a vocal ’staccato’ sort of chorus like ‘Work Song’ by Hozier which is my fave Hozier song cos’ maybe I’ve overplayed ‘Take Me to Church.’ At the end a brief bit of funk. I remember trying something more complex but the classic James Brown sort of funky riff worked better so I used that.  The second verse is influenced by the production of ‘Hold On’ by Bishop Briggs with the claps. Then, a neopolitan chord for the bridge.  The last chorus has the 2nd chord flattened like ‘Imperfect For you’.  Also a harmonic minor scale being played by the synth lead which reminded me a bit of Just Like You Imagined by NIN. So we’re not lyrically referencing 300 anymore but musically referencing it. The horns are a new addition which I did just based on … what I thought might sound good. The verses/bridge are new but the chorus is from last year. Oh yeah I did reference FNM's Ricochet for the bridge. King for a Day is Spiderman's fave FNM record. Should just hired as a consultant when their biographies are due. Correcting people like, "nah it was a sunny day when that event happened." Yes, the weather is important. Details are important.

Speaking of mi goreng which I discovered in my 1 year of boarding school in Australia. “I do hope my overpriced education doesn’t offend you.” I remember looking at it and thinking it was strange that it had no broth. Then, tasting it and going “ this is amazing.” It’s wonderful how an Indonesian noodle brand has gained popularity in Australia. Other than that, I do miss the meat pies and Shapes (they are a good snack). It was also at boarding school that I discovered Meri lewa which was played once a week by the PNG boys.

Give Me Release

Phoenix

Captivity is not about heartbreak — it’s a chilling descent into real psychological imprisonment. Identity is stripped away, reality rewritten, and freedom itself begins to feel dangerous.

Drawing on captivity trauma theory, Stockholm Syndrome, and behavioral conditioning, Exzenya transforms her voice and production into a cinematic portrait of control and isolation. The track opens with a haunting reinterpretation of the folk refrain “Down in the valley…” delivered in a rare, resonant low vocal, paired with hollow wind that feels like a broken transmission through an old radio. From there, the song builds into a dark, minor-key arrangement where vocals climb into plaintive highs, mirroring the push and pull of despair and yearning.

Captivity isn’t just a song — it’s a haunting story set to music. Opening with the ghostly echo of “Down in the valley” and a chilling wind, Exzenya pulls listeners into a dark world of isolation and control. Her deep, resonant lows and emotional highs make every line feel like a cry from the inside of a locked room. Cinematic, eerie, and unforgettable — this is storytelling that feels like a film score trapped inside a pop song.

FFO: Billie Eilish, Halsey, Aurora, Lorde
Tone: Dark, haunting, emotional, surrendering

Captivity

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/03TTDSckVCKJiZwN6vS4Ef?si=idj4E4cxQFiOkB7MzFpKOA

Conquer (The Only Thing They Fear Is You)

Slay the Emperor

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