Track of the Week: Zhuli, “IKEA” (2021)

Searching for that perfect pop song to blow away those Hump Day woes? Well, “IKEA” from Sydney’s Zhuli is exactly what you’re looking for! It’s a little bit cheeky, a little bit empowering, and a lot of fun, making it a natural choice for this week’s Track of the Week.

Taking cues from the likes of Charli XCX, Ariana Grande, and Tinashe, Zhuli’s sound is an infectious blend of ethereal indie and charming bubblegum pop.

Of debut track “IKEA”, Zhuli, otherwise known as Alana Patmore, says:

“The concept for ‘IKEA’ came from my friend who had an experience with a guy that didn’t want to go down on her because ‘I just don’t do that’. This story came up in a writing session and Harry (my co-writer/producer) had this beat that radiated this fun, hype-my-bitch-up kind of vibe, so we wanted to write something that expressed this frustration while also seeing the funny side of it.

“If you’ve ever spent hours assembling something from IKEA just to find you have a screw left over at the end and have to start over, then you can probably get something out of this song.”

Give it a listen below!

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Jodie Sloan

Living, writing, and reading in Brisbane/Meanjin. Likes spooky books, strong cocktails, and pro-wrestling.