Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to ELI, a really cool artist who is seamlessly merging a haunting sound with her ultra-intense visuals, as showcased on the video for “Another Day.” If you’re enjoying the early watch/listen, please consider supporting ELI here.
”Another Day” channels a fierce punk energy and visual rebellion — how did your collaboration with Angel Haze shape the direction of this track, both sonically and thematically?
”Another Day” started really spontaneously—TROY NōKA and I almost finished it in one session. There was this raw, immediate energy that just poured out, and we followed it without overthinking. Bringing Angel Haze into the production process was the best addition I could’ve asked for. They’re one of the most talented artists I know, and it’s always an honor to work with them. Beyond that, they’re a close friend, and that connection made the collaboration feel even more personal and powerful.
Angel has this incredible ability to cut straight to the core of a song. They brought a fearless intensity that completely elevated the production—made it feel bigger, bolder, and more alive. “Another Day” sits in that space between feeling misunderstood and not needing anyone’s approval. It’s about emotional burnout—about going quiet, not because there’s nothing left to feel, but because there’s too much. The repetition mirrors that numb rhythm of survival, of trying to keep going. Beneath the stillness, there’s longing—but no need to explain it. It’s raw, stripped down, and un-apologetically distant.
Coming off the emotional depth of “Beautiful Tears” and the experimental work with TROY NōKA, what made you want to pivot to this raw, punk-driven sound — and is this a new era for ELI or a detour on a broader journey?
I wouldn’t say this is coming off “Beautiful Tears” or my earlier co-produced work with TROY NōKA—this is more about exploring a different sound, one that could eventually blend into something more alternative or indie-pop. I think I was just craving something more immediate—less polished, more raw. That last project was deeply emotional and textured, and I’m still really proud of how vulnerable it was. When I was a teenager, I made a lot of acoustic music. It was simple, raw, and honest—just me trying to make sense of what I was feeling. That kind of emotional directness has always stuck with me. With this new sound, I wanted to tap back into that energy, but add some edge to it. Punk gave me the freedom to do that—to be louder, more physical, less restrained, but still emotionally true. Whether it’s a new chapter or just a side path, I see it as part of the same story. I’ve never wanted to be defined by one sound or one feeling. Every project marks a moment in time—and this one came from a place that needed to be loud, messy, and real.
The video’s riot grrrl aesthetic feels like a bold statement on gender and identity. What inspired the visual concept, and how does it reflect your own experience with androgyny and self-expression?
The riot grrrl aesthetic in the video was a deliberate choice—it felt like the most authentic way to channel the tension and liberation I’ve experienced around gender and identity. I’ve always been drawn to artists who disrupt the norm, and Joan Jett has been a huge influence. She’s punk, she’s queer, and she carries herself with a kind of fearless presence that’s always inspired me. There’s a rawness to her that feels honest, direct, and deeply empowering. For me, androgyny has never been about trying to be in between—it’s about stepping outside the binary altogether. It’s about creating space where I don’t have to explain myself. The visual concept leans into that: messy, raw, but intentional. It’s defiant in a quiet way, a reflection of how I’ve come to claim who I am on my own terms. That same energy drives my music.