In 2020, Freak Slug’s – aka Xenya Genovese – viral indie bedroom pop track, Radio, catapulted her into a new realm. Fast-forward six years, and the Manchester musician has just dropped her sophomore record, Amulet. A graduation from her debut, I Blow Out Big Candles, “I know it’s x1000 better,” says the musician, referring to the elevated production and sharpened lyricism distilled within each track. Not only is the record an embodiment of her evolving sound, but it’s also an exploration of an uncovered identity. Following a past-life reading, the musician’s relationship with spirituality strengthened, and Amulet is a manifestation of the stories and tribulations felt across generations of women; Big Boy is set against the backdrop of medieval religious tyranny, while Black Eyes personifies the butterfly effect that continues to impact contemporary society.

In the conversation below, Freak Slug tells us about the films that shape her visual world, the story behind Amulet’s beginnings and how Manchester has shaped her sonic sensibility.

Ella Joyce: As we approach the release of your sophomore record, how do you feel your sound has evolved from your debut album, I Blow Out Big Candles?
Freak Slug: It’s hard to pinpoint it exactly, but I know it’s x1000 better.

EJ: This record is titled Amulet; what’s the story behind the name? 
FS: This album explores a past life I had as a healer in the Celtic lands hundreds of years ago. Amulets are ancient and have been used as tokens of love and protection across the ages, so it’s very fitting.

EJ: You’ve cited the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Oasis and The Smiths as inspirations. Who were you influenced by, or who were you listening to when you got into the studio this time round?
FS: I’ve been getting deeper into storytelling in this album, and going forward this is the only thing I want to do. I like artists like Bob Dylan and Arctic Monkeys for this reason. Sonically, I just fuck with chord progressions that actually move my heart and soul, that are nostalgic and otherworldly.

“This whole album is inspired by my past life as a healer in the Celtic lands long ago”

EJ: How does being in Manchester influence you creatively?
FS: It’s the charm and grit of the people. Obviously, the history of music here is important; we all love The Smiths, Joy Division, Oasis, and it’s all cool, but that was 30 years ago, and today is today. We’ve got to make new legacies too. Also, it’s not just Manchester that’s special; it’s the warmth and realness of Northern people that’s probably impacted the way I make music. It’s not something I actively notice, it’s just always been a part of me. Also, I live alone in Manchester, and that’s inspired me more than anything. I can pick up my guitar and belt it out whenever I want. Sometimes I’ll come home, rolling in from a party at 5am, and belt it out. England generally makes me feel like I can embrace being English in my music. When I made music in LA, it ended up being a bit too sunny-sounding for me.

EJ: Spirituality plays a big part in the narrative of this record; what is your relationship like to the spiritual world? How does it steer you creatively?
FS: I’m close to the spiritual world and have a lot of knowledge of it. I feel energy strongly and speak to spirits. This whole album, Amulet, is inspired by my past life as a healer in the Celtic lands long ago. I channelled all the music from a deeper place, beyond head and maybe even heart. It’s hard to say. I’ve channelled all the rage I still feel today in this life from that time. For all the women who were killed for their gifts and brilliance in those times. It’s actually sad and hard to write about.

EJ: The video for this record’s lead single, Girl, Intentions, has a distinctly gothic horror feel to it. Can you tell us about the story behind that? 
FS: In the past life I had, I had to run away from home, leave everything behind, and when I came back, my sister was killed in place of me. I hate the term witches. Those times are very sad times and still make me cry. I am still enraged because the ramifications of these times have an everlasting effect. And yes, a very brutal history for many wise women not very long ago at all, which included much bloodshed.

EJ: How does your music video process work? Where do you find the references for your visual world?
FS: The director and I worked together by talking about what feels right for Amulet. She got my world immediately just from hearing the music, understood it was ‘witchy’, and we wanted the visuals to feel like they belonged and were tied to my past life. We shared images and references until we were happy to get in and start shooting. I love film, and that’s how all three music videos were shot; they came out so beautifully.

“Sonically, I just fuck with chord progressions that actually move my heart and soul”

EJ: Girl, Interrupted is cited as an inspiration behind this record; can you tell us more about that and your relationship to the movie?
FS: The song title is more of an ode to my own taste, beyond music and into film. Eventually, the film did inspire the music video visuals. I don’t have a super deep relationship with the film; I just think Angelina Jolie is hot and smashes that role. Beyond that, we wanted Girl, Intentions to feel like I was playing a character similar to that of a girl from a ward in Girl, Interrupted who’d escaped. If I Could is a carry-on from that story where the character has escaped to a brighter, more peaceful world.

EJ: How does film intertwine with your music? What are some of the films that have had the biggest impact on you creatively?
FS: Paris, Texas and Betty Blue. I like these films a lot, and that era. I studied fine art and appreciate colour, space and composition. I’m really specific about the kinds of movies I watch; usually they have to be shot on film, so anything past around 2012… I don’t usually like (unless the plot is insane). But with film, I am much more forgiving. I need beauty and colour depicted in the right way, and not to mention decent indie music, not some shit that sounds like AI lift music. Sometimes the way film is going upsets me; it’s too polished, and it’s lost authenticity. I also love rom-coms so much; I’m such a sucker for love, and period films take me to another place – but I will turn it off if the music is bad, which is a lot of rom-coms made these days.

EJ: Finally, what film character do you think would have Amulet on repeat?
FS: Maybe that girl from Paris, Texas.