Throughout her career, Twigs has navigated complex emotional landscapes, using her art to express feelings of longing, vulnerability, and pain. However, with Eusexua, she shifts gears and embraces themes of empowerment, emotional release, and collective healing. This album is a celebration of the freedom that comes from letting go of past emotional burdens, connecting with others, and reclaiming one's self-worth.
In this article, we will explore what inspired FKA Twigs to create the concept of Eusexua, examining the themes, sounds, personal experiences, and cultural influences that shaped the album. Through this journey, we will uncover how Eusexua not only marks an evolution in Twigs’ music but also serves as a reflection of her personal growth, her exploration of joy, and her desire to help others experience liberation through art.
FKA Twigs’ musical journey began with a distinct and deeply personal sound that captured the rawness of emotional vulnerability. Her debut EP, EP1 (2012), introduced a haunting blend of R&B, electronica, and experimental soundscapes. On EP1, Twigs explored themes of longing, desire, and self-exploration. This early work set the stage for what would become a powerful exploration of the complexities of modern relationships and the often painful intersection between love and identity.
The release of her debut studio album LP1 in 2014 took these themes further, solidifying Twigs as a singular force in modern music. Songs like "Two Weeks," "Water Me," and "Papi Pacify" explored emotional intimacy, obsession, and unrequited love. These tracks reflected the artist’s own struggles with identity and self-worth, capturing moments of personal fragility.
While her early work, including EP1 and LP1, was rich with melancholic tones, feelings of abandonment, and a deep yearning for connection, these albums also hinted at a more complex undercurrent: a desire to understand and redefine personal freedom. Twigs' delicate and ethereal vocals paired with sparse, haunting beats created an atmosphere of isolation that invited listeners into her emotional world.
By the time Twigs released MAGDALENE in 2019, her music had evolved once again, delving into the themes of heartbreak, grief, and healing. However, MAGDALENE still retained a sense of longing and emotional pain, which contrasted with the jubilant and empowering energy of Eusexua.
Eusexua represents a dramatic shift in her musical and lyrical direction. After the intense emotional excavation of MAGDALENE, Twigs began to explore the concept of liberation—freedom from pain, liberation from societal constraints, and emotional release. Through Eusexua, she sought to communicate not just the catharsis of letting go, but also the beauty of self-discovery and emotional transcendence.
Rather than focusing on the sadness or anger that characterized earlier works, Eusexua channels its energy toward joy and empowerment. This shift is evident in the album’s bold, euphoric sound—a combination of fast-paced techno beats, atmospheric synths, and deep, driving rhythms. This soundscape invites the listener to feel liberated, to experience the music in an ecstatic and cathartic way. Twigs herself has noted that Eusexua was born out of a desire to express the freedom she felt while creating music that could be both introspective and joyful. It is the antithesis of stagnation, inviting everyone to dance, heal, and grow.
The title Eusexua is not just a name—it is a concept that encapsulates the thematic core of the album. In an interview, FKA Twigs described Eusexua as a combination of the words “euphoria” and “sex,” representing a heightened state of emotional and physical liberation. The word itself embodies the freedom that comes from embracing one’s desires, emotions, and self-worth, without shame or inhibition.
For Twigs, Eusexua represents an idealized state of being where one is free to exist authentically, without being bound by societal constraints or emotional baggage. It’s a space where people can feel connected to themselves and to others, where the act of releasing emotional burdens allows for a deeper connection to the self and a more profound experience of joy.
In many ways, Eusexua is also a departure from the internal battles that Twigs often explored in her previous albums. While LP1 and MAGDALENE were deeply personal and introspective, grappling with themes of insecurity, love, and loss, Eusexua is a declaration of freedom and empowerment. It’s an album that encourages self-liberation—not just emotionally, but also physically and socially.
One of the most compelling aspects of Eusexua is its relationship to the dancefloor. Twigs has always been fascinated by the transformative power of movement and the role that dance plays in self-expression. In Eusexua, dance becomes both a metaphor and a literal form of emotional release. The album’s upbeat, fast-paced tracks encourage listeners to move their bodies freely and embrace the joy of the present moment.
The dancefloor is a symbol of collective liberation—a space where individuals can shed their fears, insecurities, and societal labels. It becomes a site for healing, where people connect through shared movement and energy. In this way, Eusexua is more than just a musical album; it is a call to action—a celebration of the freedom found in release, both physically and emotionally.
To understand the deeper meaning of Eusexua, it is important to explore FKA Twigs’ personal journey toward self-liberation. As an artist who has often used music to process her emotions and confront personal challenges, Twigs has spoken openly about her past struggles. From grappling with relationships to confronting societal expectations, she has navigated her own emotional landscape with courage and vulnerability.
Much of Eusexua was born out of Twigs’ desire to move beyond the pain and trauma she had experienced. She has openly discussed how, after the intense emotional work involved in creating MAGDALENE, she sought to create music that would not just explore suffering but also celebrate the release from it. In interviews, Twigs noted that the concept of Eusexua came from her personal realization that liberation is not only about letting go of pain but also about embracing joy, connection, and freedom.
Twigs described the process of making Eusexua as one of self-healing. The album allowed her to reclaim her sense of self-worth and emotional power. The act of creating music became a way to move through the world with renewed agency. The lyrics of Eusexua reflect this journey of self-discovery, where Twigs celebrates her autonomy and invites listeners to do the same.
Another key element of Eusexua is the role that collaboration played in its creation. Over the years, Twigs has worked with a diverse range of artists, producers, and dancers, and these collaborations have significantly shaped her artistic growth. The process of creating Eusexua was no different; Twigs enlisted the help of visionary producers and collaborators who helped her push the boundaries of her sound.
From the atmospheric production of the album to the bold choreography in the music videos, Eusexua represents the fusion of multiple creative forces coming together to tell a singular story. The album’s sonic landscape features contributions from a wide range of collaborators, including electronic producers, experimental musicians, and visual artists. This collaborative spirit has allowed Twigs to experiment with new sounds and techniques, ultimately creating an album that reflects both her growth as an artist and her deep desire to connect with others.
The sound of Eusexua is an eclectic mix of genres, from techno and house to experimental pop and industrial beats. The album’s production features lush, layered synths, propulsive basslines, and hypnotic rhythms. These elements create a sonic atmosphere that is both futuristic and deeply rooted in the dance music tradition. Twigs combines the energy of the underground club scene with her ethereal, otherworldly voice, creating a sound that is uniquely her own.
The album’s genre-blending approach reflects Twigs’ willingness to step outside of traditional genre boundaries. Rather than adhering to a specific genre or style, Eusexua represents a convergence of sounds that mirror the complexity of the emotional and physical liberation that the album celebrates.
Every track on Eusexua carries with it a sense of empowerment. From the soaring vocals to the energetic beats, the music itself becomes a tool for liberation. The driving rhythms inspire listeners to move their bodies, while the lyrics encourage them to release old wounds and embrace the present moment. The album’s energetic tempo and euphoric sound invite listeners to break free from whatever emotional restraints they may be carrying.
FKA Twigs has always placed a strong emphasis on the visual components of her music, using striking imagery and choreography to deepen the narrative of her songs. The music videos for Eusexua are no exception. Twigs' collaborations with visual artists, dancers, and directors helped bring her vision to life. These videos feature surreal, dreamlike imagery that mirrors the euphoric, transcendental nature of the album.
In the video for "Perfect Stranger," for example, Twigs performs a mesmerizing dance routine that emphasizes both vulnerability and strength. The choreography and visual style of the video reflect the themes of liberation and release that permeate the album. By integrating dance, performance, and art, Twigs creates a multi-sensory experience that invites the audience into the world of Eusexua.
For Twigs, dance is more than just a visual medium—it is a form of emotional and physical expression. The choreography featured in the Eusexua videos serves as a key element of the album’s exploration of liberation. Dance is the language through which the emotions of the music are fully expressed, allowing Twigs to communicate the raw, cathartic energy of her art.
With Eusexua, FKA Twigs continues to redefine what it means to create music that is both emotionally resonant and artistically groundbreaking. This album marks a significant moment in her career, not only because of its sound and themes but also because it represents a shift in her personal and artistic trajectory. Eusexua is a celebration of liberation—both emotional and physical—and invites listeners to join Twigs on a journey toward freedom, self-expression, and transcendence.
The release of Eusexua signals the beginning of a new chapter in Twigs’ artistic evolution. Through her exploration of euphoric liberation and collective empowerment, she has created an album that speaks to the universal human experience of letting go, moving forward, and finding joy in the present moment. Eusexua is a testament to FKA Twigs' continued growth as an artist and her unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging conventions, and creating music that resonates with listeners on a deeply personal level.
