The post-breakup rollercoaster of emotions we have all had to endure at one point or another is just that, a rollercoaster – and Natasha Hunt Lee is here to let us know that she has definitely been on that ride. Dropping her melancholic cut, “New Things”, Lee lends her syrupy tone to a track that, despite boasting a defiant chorus filled with a message of moving on, takes us through the turbulent stages of a breakup and the tortured memories that make the process all the more intense. A true sad girl cut if there ever was one.
When looking to the feelings she hopes to evoke with her latest cut, the artist explains, “The main goal of new things was to create something that felt consistent with the emotional spectrum behind it— sadness, defeat, anger, desperation, etc.”
Upon the release of “New Things”, the artist sat down with Wonderland to discuss still discovering her sound and an upcoming EP headed towards a summer release. Head below to enjoy our interview with Natasha Hunt Lee…
Hey Natasha! How are you doing today?
Hi! I can’t complain.
Can you tell us one fact about yourself that we wouldn’t be able to find on a press release?
Ok, this is a weird one: apparently, I hoarded the nutrients from what was supposed to be my identical twin in my mum’s womb and then, in super early stages, the other embryo gave out – my mum didn’t know she even had two in there to begin with so this is a way less traumatic fact than it could be – if you’ve eaten dinner with me ever, you know this all makes a lot of sense. I would be a terrible identical twin.
How did you first get into music? What sparked the interest?
I watched Moulin Rouge with my parents at an inappropriately early age— maybe like 5 — and became obsessed with the soundtrack. I started by singing those songs.
And how did you discover your sound? Are there any genres you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?
I think I’m still discovering it.
Congratulations on the release of “New Things”! What was your main goal when coining the track?
Thank you! The main goal of “New Things” was to create something that felt consistent with the emotional spectrum behind it— sadness, defeat, anger, desperation, etc.
What do you hope people will take away from the track?
I hope people know what I mean. I hope they can feel it, and I hope it’s obvious, the feeling of being suffocated by the everywhere-ness of someone. I think it is.
What does your creative process look like?
I wrote all of these songs on the piano and then when I liked them enough, I voice memoed them on my phone. Nothing too exciting. I played them for some people I trust and to my surprise, they got the best, most sincere feedback I’d ever received. Probably because O was romantically obliterated at the time and therefore very anxious and unsatisfied. I think that the more you’re struggling, the more you approach the things you love with specific force. A lot of good can come out of that.
Is there anyone, in particular, you would love to collaborate with in future? Who would be your dream artist?
I mean, get Harry Styles within 10 feet of me, let alone on a song, and I’m certainly getting hospitalised. My 14-year-old self is alive and well somewhere, twitching just thinking about it. In all seriousness though, I would love to work on a project with Rostam, I love Holly Humberstone, Alanis Morissette, Lorde, Troye Sivan, No Rome, BANKS, Hayley Williams, Frank Ocean. I’d also love to go back in time and be in Mazzy Star.
And finally, what’s next for you? What are you most excited about this year?
I’m putting out a single with Sophie Cates really soon. Talk about a dream artist – she is the best ever, both as a person and artist. I’m really really excited for the song and video. It’s so bitchy. Then, I’m releasing a full project later this summer, an EP I think I’m naming “The End of the World!” It’s just 6 love songs, but I’m presenting them apocalyptically. It feels apt.