FKA Twigs discusses ‘Caprisongs’ Mixtape and working with the Weeknd

Check out her newly-released “Caprisongs” mixtape and a fresh affiliation with a new label, Atlantic, British singer-songwriter-producer FKA Twigs ups the ante on her eerily experimental sound and intimately nuanced lyrics and goes big. That’s not only because the genre-jumbling, multi-octave performer has invited brand-name featured guests such as Jorja Smith and the Weeknd to the party that is “Caprisongs.” Rather, it’s because the Gloucester, U.K.-born artist — real name Tahliah Barnett — is having any kind of party at all.

Twigs is a collection of her most emotional and uncompromising music. Darkly avant-garde, aggressive and atmospheric, the scorched earth-soul of 2014’s “LP1” and 2019’s “Magdalene”She was portrayed as a mix between Billie Holiday, Siouxsie and Banshees (produced by Lee Scratch Perry). Incidents with her private life were made public, including accusations of sexual assault against Shia LaBeouf and emotional distress against Shia LaBeouf. It was suggested that her supercharged music had influenced real life. This harsh reality made it seem that what appeared distant to some may actually have been a defense mechanism in order to survive.

This brings us to “Caprisongs.” While not sunny in an obvious way, FKA Twigs and her co-conspirators – old friends such as Arca, and newer associates like Mike Dean, El Guincho and the Weekend – have created a mixtape filled with bold, blunter melody and open-faced, truth-telling lyrics touched by the smiling spirit of the zodiac. It would be easy to call it mainstream as the music has been described. “Caprisongs’s”It is a glowingly theatrical production that has been touched by unique musical expressions like Afrobeat, hyperpop, and squeak rap. That’s it. “Caprisongs”This is her most energetic, liveliest recording.

Even though “Caprisongs” was made during a challenging time, it’s brighter, more optimistic and less angular than your previous music. How did this happen?

My other projects really touched on personal, very specific things that I’ve gone through in my life. That’s usually how I write. There was a common adversity in the pandemic. It was also a shared sadness, and loss. Because we all lost something on some scale — be it our freedom, our routine, love, a sense of security. It was my first time in my life as an artist to feel the need to create for others. It would be naïve to believe that it made them feel better… but I did want to provide truth, honesty, light and joy to people, to remind them what we had, and are grateful for. This time was hard for everyone. I had support from my family and friends. I wanted to share this with the rest of the world.

Together with “Caprisongs” came news that you’ve partnered with Atlantic Records in the U.S. for “this next exciting phase of [your] art.”What did you look for in a label

For me, the pandemic was a time to reflect on my goals as an artist. When I went into my career in my youth… look, I’m from a small town in England, Gloucester. When I first got signed I was just grateful to be signed — I wanted to please, to fit in. I was content to just have a place at the table. It took me so long for me to really think about what I would like. I’ve had a beautiful career, and haven’t wanted for much. I always wanted to achieve my dreams, to create music with people that are like me, who think like us, and who understand our cultural backgrounds better. The ambition that I have — to be a girl from a small town in England, to get to New York when I was 20, it all took ambition. Perhaps I wanted to have that experience on a higher level. Don’t get me wrong: Young Records [formerly called Young Turks, which will continue to be her label in the U.K.] is incredible, and we’ve had a beautiful journey, but in my heart, it was time for me to move on in certain aspects: Push myself, dream bigger, have more people experience my art.

Does anyone have any visions of what the future holds for us?“Caprisongs”?

Not really — I don’t reverse-engineer my career. [Laughs.] I get a hunch and I go from there… follow the feeling. I’m like a sniffer dog. You can detect a scent and locate its roots.

Producers are expected to lead their own production. Even though you’ve worked with some major co-producers, such as Nicolas Jaar, Boots, Arca, Mike Dean and most recently El Guincho, it’s obviously your show. What are you looking for in a coproducer?

People who love what their do. People who are open to collaboration and have little to no ego. People who love to have a good time and are open to forming friendships. When I work with someone, we share a common energy that feels like falling in love. It’s like having that third date, realizing you like them and being excited. I’m lucky: I get to fall in love every single month. Johnny Leslie is a wonderful engineer who has helped me with many of my projects. I couldn’t wait to see hm when we started “Caprisongs,”To hang out, eat good food and experience eureka moments. For me, analog instruments are more intuitive and can be used to change sounds. There are so many talented people in the world who are a bit grumpy — no matter how talented they are, I can’t be around them. I want to have some fun. If I’m not, what’s the point?

Did you grow up a tapehead? You use a tape recorder’s “click”Across the entire of “Caprisongs”; it’s almost literally a mixtape.

Yes. I grew to buy tapes from HMV or Virgin shops. My parents had long CD and cassette shelves in their living room. I also had headphones and a Walkman as a child. I made cassette mixtapes for friends. I still have the tapes that would twist if you tried to play the same song over and over again. You had to use a pencil to untwist them. That’s my earliest experience with music. I was exposed to all kinds of music growing up: Latin music mixed with jazz and a lot experimental music. My stepdad was a massive jazz head — my friends would get in the car with me and ask why my parents listened to such weird music. That car was full of orchestral music. I’m grateful for that now.

What’s behind the astrology imagery and the whole powerful universe feeling in the lyrics of “Caprisongs”?

I have joked with friends that the pandemic was a perfect opportunity for me to work all the time; I wasn’t traveling or touring so all I could do is make music. Numerous people have since turned to astrology in order to feel more in control of their lives. It’s about reaching out into the universe, be it the stars or numerology, to tell us what to do next. You can believe in astrology, or not. In times of loss, hope, structure, people tried to take control using the zodiac. It says something about human nature that we have looked outside of ourselves for answers after humans have clearly had no answers for the last several years — at least no good ones. People literally look outside the earth for answers, and then relate it to their most intimate parts of their lives for guidance.

Get the word out in advance “Caprisongs”It was mainstream. Did you want to reach a wider audience?

I’ve never really been able to turn pain into joy in the past. I’ve managed it this time, though, so I’ve learned a lot. Many of the lyrics are on “Caprisongs” are still sad, definitely not ignoring how I feel and what’s been going on, but I’ve taken rhythms that I really love and tried to approach them in different ways here. The fact that I’m singing opera over some of the tracks says it all. “Caprisongs”It is a way for me to return to a part I had lost over the past few years. I’ve kept who I am away, for the most part. In real life, I am very funny and goofy. Growing up, I was a class clown. Even when I’ve gone through traumatic experiences, my sense of humor gets me through and makes me strong. This is how you can help others. “Caprisongs”It’s about me having fun again, and rediscovering my cheeky side.

How did you do it? “Tears on the Dancefloor,”Your collaboration with Weeknd, how did it come about?

Honestly, in its very beginning, I couldn’t imagine he would say yes. Pablo [Díaz-Reixa, co-writer/producer El Guincho]I thought I was being silly and that Weeknd would want it. We got up the confidence to write the text — you know how your friend gasses you up to do something — so I did it, sent him the MP3, and he knocked out the vocals within two weeks. He loved it. This gave me a lot more confidence so that I can reach out and help Abel. [the Weeknd]These are some artists that I would like to collaborate with. This is what I write about. “Lightbeamers”What do you mean when I say “Lay down your fears, baby, ain’t nobody die from it.” One thing I have learned on this album is that you’re not going to die from asking a question or hearing “no.”Go get it if you really want it.

It’s just like the new label deal.

Yes. It was time to move on. Atlantic feels like a great place to call home. It’s OK for me to strive for more. That’s what “Caprisongs”it is OK to laugh and smile. After going through the same thing as everyone else over the last two-years, I have come to realize that it is okay to imagine that things will turn out better.

Yet, some of your lyrics can be so vulnerable, particularly in the last few lines “Thank You Song”: “I wanted to die, I’m just being honest / No longer afraid to say it out loud.”Talk about coming to that song.

[Co-producer/co-writer] Arca and I hadn’t worked with each other in a long time, and in the space of four hours, we did this song and “Tears in the Club.” That’s a testament to how great we can work together. Arca had many wonderful sounds. It was all very experimental. I told Arca that I wanted to start writing songs. We’d done the vibe thing before, the whole palette of sound thing that has inspired so many people in the last ten years. I asked her to begin with a piano and this is what she came up with.

It wasn’t premeditated — sometimes your soul speaks for you. Sometimes it’s not me writing it; it just comes out, or something comes through me and writes that. I had gone through a lot over the last past few years, and when you are in the public eye, it’s hard to feel publicly. It was hard for my to speak. “I wanted to die” out loud — but saying that “love in motion will save me now”This is how I feel. I’m grateful to have fallen in love with music again’ I’m grateful to have fallen in love with myself again. This song might be the best distillation of it all.

By this point in your life, where does Tahliah Barnett leave off and FKA Twigs begin?

It’s always been the same person. I’m just an outsider girl from the country, who now is a weirder outsider in the music industry. I believed that I would make music and become a famous girl. I’m still, however, one of the girls at the lunch table by myself, doing my own thing. The only difference now is that I’m comfortable in my journey, being different. After 10 years, I’m proud of myself for that. There’s no shame in not being in the popular crowd.