Born in Nebraska and raised the daughter of a preacher, Nesya’s youth was spent hiding her sense of self — an embrace of the gothic — whilst surviving sexual abuse, infidelity, and social isolation. A move to Sacramento at the age of 12 saw her find the alternative and darkwave scenes that felt like they reflected something she felt inside.
Having garnered attention via TikTok, her single Delulu was a breakthrough moment that arrived against the backdrop of the breakdown of Nesya’s abusive marriage and a split for her label. Now with the new label Double Down, formed by Evan Lipschutz in partnership with Virgin Music, Nesya is gearing up for a forthcoming album.
Put the Fries in the Bag is the lead single from that album, and it charts a path through a mixture of dark pop and EBM. Shimmering black synths provide a glossy background for Nesya’s vocals, as hollow bass tones create a robotic-yet-organic aesthetic. Produced by Kill Dave, the song is a deliberate attempt to recast trauma as absurdity:
‘I wrote it in the middle of a messy divorce and betrayal. The song turned that chaos into something fun. It’s proof that the 'dumbest' idea can be the thing that makes you want to dance again—or just eat some fries.’
Deadpan vocals create an acerbic, cutting narrative, as Nesya claims her place as a black alternative artist operating at the rare intersection of post-punk stylings combined with house and R&B sensibilities. The result is bold and infectious.