The Australian model turned singer-songwriter hauntingly laments the loss of a partner who has given in to lust.
Every once in a while, Aussie rock-n-roll has graced us with acts that can only be described as transcendent and genius. Acts like AC/DC, Rick Springfield, Tame Impala, and Tash Sultana set the bar and stage for successive generations of talented Aussie artists, all striving to establish themselves in a competitive environment.
Cleo Alexandra has quickly established herself within this environment as an act to watch for the future. With a burning drive to succeed and a penchant for adding touches of realism, grit, and flair to the classics, the former Miss Australia turned singer-songwriter will definitely be someone you want to keep tabs on.
A keen student turned occasional collaborator to some of the Aussie greats, she released her self-titled debut album “Cleo Alexandra,” reimagining classic Aussie hits and showing off her signature flair. The album even featured a cameo from Rick Springfield on reimagining Men Down Under’s “Who Can It Be Now,” showing Alexandra’s ability to attract and generate star power. Supported by 6-time Grammy-winning producer Keith Olsen and J.J. Faris, the sky is seemingly the limit for this bright Australian talent.
Cleo Alexandra’s new single “Taken By Desire” showcases her versatility as she wades into new melodic territory. Over fiendishly spooky instrumentals, Alexandra’s haunting vocals construct a soundscape of vengeful angst. As she sings and laments the anguish she faces as a result of her unfaithful lover (“I realize that somehow I’ve been so blind / “How long have you been tricking me?”), the visuals of “Taken By Desire” juxtapose desire with rage. Alexandra rolls in anticipation in her bed, only to be yanked back to a dark alley of despair. Spooky.
Cleo Alexandra’s “Taken By Desire” is a powerful tribute to the angst and anguish of infidelity and relationships. If you're in the ruts of relationship woes, know you're not alone—and let Cleo Alexandra be the microphone to your fury. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream Cleo Alexandra’s “Taken By Desire,” available now on all major streaming platforms.
Welcome back to Buzz, Cleo Alexandra. It's good to see you again! We loved “Cigarette Lover.” We wanted to ask, what inspired this release? Were the final version and your initial vision the same?
Thanks so much; I feel honored! My new single, Cigarette Lover, is for when you’re in your villain era and need a song to sing at the top of your lungs as a cathartic release while trying to move on from your toxic ex. I wrote the song after a traumatic experience in a destructive relationship of my own. I satirized the experience along with the dark places it took me while trying to move on from my toxic ex. The song personifies the pitfalls of an unhealthy relationship. As toxic as a cigarette, every minute spent with this person causes damage spiritually, physically, and mentally. That experience was the inspiration behind the song.
Compared to the first version, the final version of the song is much darker in tone and has more of a cinematic feeling. That’s why I created the music video using Kaiber AI to really lean into that darker atmosphere the final mix conjures up. Although there was a learning curve, it was such a liberating experience creatively as I could take the satire of the song to the extreme and bring to life the fictional storyline of a murderous villain known as the Cigarette Lover who is on the run from the police after escaping from Prison.
So it’s been a little while since we last saw you when “Taken By Desire” came out. What have you been up to in the meantime, and how have you been enjoying your musical journey so far?
Last year, I was lucky enough to re-release a cover of ‘Who Can It Be Now’, which was such a blast. It was a darker take on the song with a horror movie-inspired music video. I also recently returned from my first visit to the US, specifically Los Angeles, California. It was a life changing experience, I was able to write and record some new songs with my producer JJ Farris of Reel Music and my label owner and friend Charlie Templeman who is also an amazing musician. We also filmed some acoustic performances and checked out all the legendary music venues in L.A. that I have heard about all my life. It was inspiring, and I can’t wait to jump head-first into what music holds for me in the coming year.
What does music mean to you, and what goals do you want to achieve through your music?
Music means everything—it is everything to me, haha. I know that sounds dramatic, but music is a connection. It’s expressing life in a way that cannot be done through any other medium in that very particular way. I strive to achieve this connection with others who can relate to my music through my music.
What do you want your listeners to feel when they hear a Cleo Alexandra release?
I want them to feel anything, whatever the music and lyrics conjure up for them. That’s what I love about music; the same song can make people feel completely different things. The worst thing to me would be if people felt nothing. Even if you hate my music, I want you to feel something, even if it is hate.
What’s next for Cleo Alexandra, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
Look out for the Cigarette Lover Remix! Produced by Calibeats from the UK, it's going to be an amazing follow-up, along with the lyric video for Cigarette Lover, which is due to be released in the coming weeks.