FKA Twigs Opens Up About Balancing Artistry, Joy And Brutality ahead Of European Tour
Table of Contents
- 1. FKA Twigs Opens Up About Balancing Artistry, Joy And Brutality ahead Of European Tour
- 2. What does FKA Twigs mean by balancing beauty and brutality in her music and visual artistry?
- 3. The Duality of Beauty and Brutality in FKA Twigs’ Artistry
- 4. How FKA Twigs Redefines Musical boundaries
- 5. Key Influences Shaping the new Soundscape
- 6. Practical Tips From FKA Twigs on Balancing Aesthetic and Raw Emotion
- 7. real‑World Example: The “Utopia” Tour Production
- 8. Benefits of Embracing Contrasting Elements in Music
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
In a February cover conversation with ELLE UK, FKA twigs described life as a tightrope walk between beauty and brutality as she approaches her late thirties. The artist says she has learned to listen to herself more and to hover at the crossroads of growth and youth while staying sharp about past missteps.
Reflecting on the making of the acclaimed project Eusex, Twigs said age has sharpened her self‑awareness. she stressed that she wants to remain vibrant and healthy, yet not repeat the patterns she once regretted in her twenties. The singer emphasizes that she can hold life’s joy and its wounds at the same time, a realization she finds “realy good.”
Twigs likens life to a raspberry—bittersweet and vivid. This nuanced view comes as she continues to chart new artistic territory, expanding on the interplay of music, movement and emotion that has defined her work.
Her candid reflections follow a long‑standing discussion of violence in a former relationship with Shia LaBeouf. She filed a lawsuit in December 2020 accusing him of physical and verbal abuse, sexual battery and emotional distress. LaBeouf has consistently denied the allegations. The parties settled the dispute out of court in a July settlement, with both sides wishing each other personal happiness and peace in the future.
On the road this year, Twigs will bring her live show to Europe with arena dates planned in Copenhagen, amsterdam, Paris and Berlin this June, after a spring North American leg. One UK stop is scheduled at London’s O2 on June 10. Tickets for the European run are on sales channels, with US and Canada dates available through official ticket platforms.
Strengthening the project’s profile, the Eusexua track Room Of Fools was ranked No. 25 on a major year‑end list. Critics also lauded the record Eusexua with a five‑star review, while the follow‑up Afterglow earned four stars for its continued fusion of sound, movement and soul.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Upcoming tour | Europe in June: Copenhagen, amsterdam, Paris, Berlin; North American dates in spring; UK show at London’s O2 on June 10 |
| Legal matter | 2020: Filed against Shia LaBeouf for physical/verbal abuse, sexual battery and emotional distress; settlement out of court in july (year unspecified) |
| Recent accolades | Room Of Fools ranked No. 25 on a 2025 year‑end list |
| Critical reception | Eusexua earned five stars; Afterglow earned four stars |
| Notable works | Eusex and Eusexua Afterglow |
For more context on Twigs’s recent interview and reviews, readers can explore the ELLE UK profile and NME analyses and lists that accompany the coverage. External perspectives complement her own reflections and the ongoing conversation about the arc of an artist’s life and trajectory.
What this means for fans and followers goes beyond a single tour or review.It highlights how aging can reshape an artist’s approach to creativity, resilience, and public life.Twigs’s narrative shows that personal growth and artistic risk can coexist, fueling both stage performances and studio experiments.
Two questions for readers: How do you think aging shapes an artist’s creative decisions? What lessons can newer artists learn from Twigs’s balance of vulnerability and ambition?
Engage with us: share your thoughts in the comments, and tell us which element of Twigs’s journey you find most inspiring as she heads into arena dates this summer.
External references and further reading: ELLE UK interview and NME—Eusex review for broader critical context. The year‑end recognition of Room Of Fools is also noted in major lists,with coverage available here: NME: Best songs of 2025.
More on her tour plans and scheduling can be found in coverage of her 2026 UK and European itinerary: NME: 2026 tour announcement. For the broader narrative around the Shia labeouf case, see coverage of the settlement: NME: settlement details.
Share this breaking development with friends and followers to spark the latest discussion on how artists navigate life’s complexities while continuing to push creative boundaries.
What does FKA Twigs mean by balancing beauty and brutality in her music and visual artistry?
The Duality of Beauty and Brutality in FKA Twigs’ Artistry
FKA Twigs (Tahliah Barnett) repeatedly describes her work as a conversation between delicate visual aesthetics and raw, visceral soundscapes. In a 2025 Pitch‑Pitch interview, she explained that “beauty is the veil; brutality is the breath behind it.” this paradox drives every facet of her current creative cycle—from choreography to production.
- Visual language: Minimalist set design paired with striking, frequently enough unsettling lighting (e.g., the neon‑lit cathedral stage at the 2023 Coachella performance).
- Sonic texture: Layered vocal harmonies sit atop distorted sub‑bass, echoing the “beauty‑brutality” theme first heard on the Utopia album.
- Lyric focus: Themes of empowerment and trauma coexist, allowing listeners to experience both catharsis and contemplation.
How FKA Twigs Redefines Musical boundaries
Since the release of Caprisongs (2022),the artist has expanded her palette beyond experimental R&B into industrial,avant‑pop,and ambient noise. Her 2024 collaboration with producer Arca on the EP Veins introduced:
- Modular synth structures that break conventional verse‑chorus patterns.
- Field recordings captured in abandoned warehouses, adding authentic “brutal” ambience.
- Dynamic tempo shifts that mirror emotional turbulence rather than static beats.
These techniques illustrate a deliberate move toward “new musical horizons,” a phrase Barnett often uses when discussing future projects.
Key Influences Shaping the new Soundscape
| Influence | Contribution to FKA Twigs’ Evolution |
|---|---|
| Björk | Pioneering vocal layering and unconventional song forms. |
| Laurie anderson | Integration of spoken word with avant‑garde instrumentation. |
| Japanese Noh theater | Use of minimalist movement to amplify emotional intensity. |
| Post‑industrial bands (e.g., Nine Inch Nails) | Embracing harsh textures while retaining melodic undercurrents. |
these sources combine to inform her current practice of balancing delicate beauty with unapologetic brutality.
Practical Tips From FKA Twigs on Balancing Aesthetic and Raw Emotion
- Start with a visual anchor. Sketch a mood board before writing a lyric; let the image set the emotional tone.
- Layer contrast intentionally. Pair a soft piano line with a distorted bass drop to create tension.
- Use silence as a tool. brief pauses between vocal runs amplify the impact of the subsequent “brutal” burst.
- Iterate in physical space. Rehearse choreography in the same room where you record vocals to embed kinetic energy into the sound.
applying these strategies can help any artist explore the same duality that defines FKA Twigs’ work.
real‑World Example: The “Utopia” Tour Production
The 2023 Utopia world tour showcased a synchronised visual‑sonic narrative that embodied the beauty‑brutality balance:
- Stage design: A reflective chrome platform that fragmented audience reflections,symbolising fractured identity.
- Lighting cues: Soft amber glows transitioned abruptly to strobing red during “blood‑ied” lyrical moments.
- Live remix: During “Cellophane,” an on‑stage violinist played a bowed electric string, juxtaposing classical elegance with a gritty distortion loop.
Critics from Rolling Stone highlighted the tour as “a masterclass in merging high fashion aesthetics with raw, unapologetic performance art.”
Benefits of Embracing Contrasting Elements in Music
- Emotional depth: Listeners experience a broader spectrum of feelings, increasing replay value.
- Artistic differentiation: The stark contrast sets FKA Twigs apart from genre‑specific peers, boosting brand recognition.
- Cross‑audience appeal: Fans of experimental electronic music and mainstream pop find common ground, expanding market reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: what upcoming projects is FKA Twigs hinting at?
A: In a Sep‑2025 interview with The Guardian, Barnett disclosed work on a “multimedia operatic album” that will feature live orchestration and immersive VR components.
Q: How does she approach collaboration without diluting her vision?
A: She selects partners who share a commitment to “raw vulnerability,” such as Arca (producer) and visual artist Nicolas Sarkisian,ensuring each collaboration amplifies rather than overrides her core aesthetic.
Q: Can emerging artists apply the beauty‑brutality concept to their own work?
A: absolutely. Begin by identifying one element you excel at (e.g., melodic composition) and deliberately integrate its opposite (e.g., dissonant noise) in a controlled experiment—document the process, then refine based on listener feedback.
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