Los Angeles, CA-based, Belarus-born indie singer-songwriter ZØYA returns with a double single release containing "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "Is It Real Now? (reprise)." These songs are released in tandem as they are threaded by the common link of betrayal, faltering friendship, heartbreak and the aftermath of the fallout between two individuals.
"Who Do You Think You Are?" tells a heartfelt and relatable story about boundaries crossed in a friendship and its detrimental effects. Over a cinematic production that rises to a crescendo on the chorus and mellow verses where the story builds up, ZØYA details her experience of cutting loose someone she once trusted. Armed with her airy and sultry vocal runs, she runs through the events that led to the separation with lines like "You don't even talk to me, talk to me now/you don't even look at me, look at me now/are you trying to cancel me, cancel me now?" underscoring the present state of this withering friendship. She also questions the authenticity of the relationship and the journey to self-awareness once she realized that it' time to move on. The visual style echoes the late 80s and 90s with its performance-based approach and use of subtle motifs that capture the singer's journey to emotional freedom.
"Is It Real Now? (reprise)" continues from where "Who Do You Think You Are?" stops and continues the narrative from an introspective view. Over solemn piano keys, moody pads and strings, ZØYA deals with the emotional uncertainty surrounding the friendship and questions if it can be repaired. Here, she looks at all the current scenarios and the process of making amends with lines like "Can you tell me, can you show me/What you thinking, how you feeling?/Would you come down, would you break in/these walls between us divide us." Ultimately she knows the onus lies not only on her but all parties involved but with the invisible walls surrounding them, we might never know if reconciliations will be in order.
Stream "Who Do You Think You Are?" on SoundCloud, YouTube
Stream YouTube, SoundCloud,
In 2020, she released her second EP ‘Journey’ independently, receiving thousands of organic plays on Spotify and YouTube. The remix to her single "Outrageous” received support from R3HAB and other electronic & pop artists.
In addition, ZØYA is also passionate and outspoken about social issues such as immigration, human trafficking, education, poverty and children. She also volunteered for the non-profits such as Fight For Children Foundation, Bonner Scholars Program and City of Athens, WV and interned at the U.S. House of Representatives for the Speaker of the House. ZØYA is a practicing Christian. Faith plays an important part in her singing and songwriting, though she does not consider herself a part of the Christian music genre. Her main goal is to, "share my story with Everyone, give encouragement through music and dynamic live shows, and most importantly, spread the message of love, hope and self-empowerment."
Stream "THIS IS THE END" on SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube
Connect with ZØYA: Spotify | SoundCloud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
