Lucinda Chua is a singer, songwriter, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in South London. Primarily using her voice, a cello, and an array of effects units, Chua writes ambient pop songs that are intimate, atmospheric, and totally enchanting.
Newly signed to 4AD, she will release a second EP of solo work, Antidotes 2, on 7th May 2021.
Today, Chua launches the EP’s opening track ‘Until I Fall’ with an accompanying video directed by William Kennedy. She says, “for me, this song is about rebirth and finding the inner strength to rise.”
+ Stream ‘Until I Fall’ on all platforms here +
Born in London and raised in Milton Keynes, Chua has English, Malaysian and ancestral Chinese roots. Having learned music by ear from the age of three using the Suzuki method (whereby young children are taught music in the same way they would a native language), Chua regards music as a natural form of non-verbal self-expression.
Whilst studying photography at university in Nottingham, Chua took an elective course in music production and the resulting experimental tracks she created and uploaded online caught the attention of US label kranky. Before long she was touring with Stars of the Lid as a cellist and string arranger and went on to release two albums with her first band Felix – all while barely into her 20s. After Felix broke up, Chua spent a few years in London exploring the city’s creative scene and began experimenting with the cello. Those explorations became her 2019 debut EP Antidotes 1 which flitted between hushed songwriting and expansive textural soundscapes. Chua self-released the EP during her time under NTS Radio’s ‘Work In Progress’ mentorship scheme, whilst simultaneously performing in FKA twigs’ live band for her Magdalene tour. Earning praise from Pitchfork, The Guardian, Dazed and gal-dem, Antidotes 1 led to Chua performing one-person shows across the UK and Europe including Red Bull Music Festival London, MUTEK Barcelona, Tate Modern and Somerset House.
A sister release to Antidotes I, Antidotes 2 expands Chua’s unique sonic vocabulary, with subliminal textures that bleed into each other before fading away. If Antidotes 1 was Chua building the landscape and scenery for her music, then Antidotes 2 is her living within it. Some of the songs were written during the same period whilst others, like EP opener ‘Until I Fall’, are brand new.
Antidotes 2 is out digitally on 7th May. A special vinyl edition of Antidotes will include both EPs and will be released on 13th August.
+ Pre-order Antidotes on vinyl from the 4AD Store here +
+ Pre-save the Antidotes 2 EP digitally here +
Lucinda Chua – Antidotes 2
7th May – Digital
1. Until I Fall
2. An Avalanche
3. Torch Song
4. Before
Lucinda Chua – Antidotes
13th August – Vinyl
4AD0349LP
A1. Feel Something
A2. Whatever It Takes
A3. Semitones
A4. Somebody Who
B1. Until I Fall
B2. An Avalanche
B3. Torch Song
B4. Before