Today, Romy— of The xx —unveils a new single, ‘Strong’ featuring Fred again.., alongside a video directed by her wife, the filmmaker and photographer Vic Lentaigne.
Romy has played the track, her second ever solo release, for fans at club gigs and festivals around the world this summer after Fred again.. originally teased it in a Boiler Room set earlier this year to much anticipation from fans. ‘Strong’ follows a handful of previous collaborations, including on Fred’s ‘Lights Out’ and Romy’s debut single ‘Lifetime,‘ released in 2020 to widespread acclaim.
“‘Strong’ came from a moment in my life when I was processing past grief,” says Romy. “Whilst writing the lyrics I was thinking about my cousin Luis, we both have the shared experience of our mums passing away when we were young. I recognize in him the same trait I have which is to try and hold emotions down and put on a brave face. The song was a way to connect with these feelings, offer support and ultimately find a sense of release in the euphoria of music. Luis is with me on the single cover and in the music video too which was really special.
“My friendship with Fred means a lot to me, our closeness helps me to feel safe to be honest and vulnerable lyrically and we definitely connect over our love of songwriting and emotions in dance music. It’s amazing and inspiring seeing and hearing what Fred is doing in his solo work and I’m very excited to be releasing this song together.”
‘Strong’ is Romy’s latest offering of what he calls “emotional music to dance to.” A track intended to be played loud, surrounded by friends and family, Romy wrote it as an ode to the club as a place of healing and community. The song was produced by Fred again.., Romy and Stuart Price and unites Romy’s sonic inspirations from club classics, Ibiza house and trance with her timeless songwriting and lyricism.
A now-legendary pop writer, Romy has co-written each of The xx’s three acclaimed albums, Dua Lipa’s Grammy-winning hit single ‘Electricity’ with Mark Ronson and Diplo’s Silk City), plus songs for King Princess and Halsey, among others.
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