Emerging UK artist Iona Luke returns with her striking new single 'Existential', a bold and introspective release that further cements her as one of the most compelling new voices in alternative pop. Known for blending poetic lyricism with theatrical, widescreen production, Luke leans fully into emotional intensity here, exploring identity, self-doubt, and the pressure of carving out a voice in an oversaturated creative landscape.
Built on swelling instrumentation and a slow-burning sense of tension, 'Existential' captures the spiralling thoughts that come with overthinking and self-reflection, before erupting into a cathartic, emotionally charged release. It’s a track that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, continuing the trajectory set by earlier singles 'Cowboy Boots', 'Violence', and 'Voices On The TV'.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Piano. Specifically the dark, atmospheric piano in Romantic music. My favourite thing to do is sit on the tube with a book and listen to the Romantics. It’s a bit basic but Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is one of the greatest things to ever grace my ears; proof of the fact that some things are popular because they’re just damn good.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was really young (10 and under) I loved any music that featured huge female vocals. I was obsessed with Beyonce, Adele, Rihanna, Gaga. All of those singers were why I started singing, if you could call it that… probably more like screaming. But on the other hand, we’d listen to loads of 90s band music in the car, so when I got a bit older I got more into Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers and so on.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think it was Rumours. To this day it’s one of my favourite albums of all time; another popular because it’s good situation.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Glory Box by Portishead. Maybe Black Sheep by Metric, purely because I wish I was Brie Larson singing that song in Scott Pilgrim VS. the World.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Most of my songs start as poems, so the habit is starting by writing a poem and then turning it into a song. If I’m ever in a rut I read a book, and then that helps to shove me out of it because I get jealous that people can explain feeling so perfectly. Sometimes I write prose and that helps too, because you can flesh ideas out a bit more.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
There’s a few people that I’ve gotten into recently, a band called Teen Suicide, I love Joshua Slone’s album, love Blondshell, Biig Piig, English Teacher, Chelsea Wolfe. None of it really goes together but that’s because it depends on the day and what gigs I’ve been to that week. I loved a Bleech 9:3 song that I heard at a gig recently, they’re cool too but only have a few songs out.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’d like to say Patti Smith but I think I’d be too nervous. So, probably Stevie Nicks.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
So far the most rewarding part is when people come up to me and say that one of my songs really meant something to them. A close friend of mine said that ‘Voices On The TV’ helped her through a bad time, and there’s nothing better than when something you’ve written helped them articulate a feeling that would have otherwise gotten a bit stuck. It’s like musical CPR.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Social media. It doesn’t come naturally to me at all, but you’ve got to suck it up and do it. I’ve been posting consistently for a while now and it’s so easy to get disenfranchised and numb to it, but I also understand that it’s how you connect to people in the modern world, so it is what it is. One day I’ll crack it, I’m sure, but for now people are going to have to watch me trying not to look grumpy and weird.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best advice I’ve had is ‘grip it and rip it’ - it’s about golf, I think, but for some reason it works.
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Iona Luke's new single 'Existential' is out now. Check it out in the player below.