London-based Ethiopian-Egyptian artist and curator Alewya returns with “Eshi,” a striking new single that offers a deeper entry point into her debut album ZERO, arriving June 26 via Because London Records.
Built around the sound of the Masenqo, a traditional Ethiopian bowed instrument, “Eshi” unfolds with a slow-burning intensity that gradually expands into a chant-led crescendo. The track feels intentional in its pacing, balancing restraint with release, while continuing Alewya’s signature approach of merging heritage-driven sound with experimental, forward-leaning production.
“Eshi” follows earlier singles “City of Symbols” and “Night Drive,” each introducing different facets of ZERO. Where “City of Symbols” leaned into rhythmic complexity and London underground textures, and “Night Drive” marked a more introspective shift, “Eshi” lands somewhere deeper, more spiritual, and more immersive. Together, the releases suggest a debut that is less about singles and more about building a fully realized world.
That world extends visually as well. The official video for “Eshi” was filmed in Lalibela, Ethiopia during the celebration of Gena, Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas. Directed by Yonas Tadesse, Frehiwot Berhane, Tedos Teffera, and Alewya, the video centers on community, ritual, and lived tradition, grounding the track in a real cultural landscape rather than a stylized backdrop. The result adds weight to the song’s themes, reinforcing the connection between sound, place, and identity.
Alewya describes “Eshi” as rooted in tradition but not confined by it, a perspective that sits at the core of ZERO. That balance between honoring origin and pushing beyond it has defined her work from the beginning. Often describing herself as a painter who makes music, she approaches sound through texture and instinct, shaping songs that feel as visual as they are sonic.
Since the release of her 2021 project Panther in Mode, Alewya has steadily built a reputation as one of the most compelling voices emerging from London’s alternative scene. Her work has been marked by a distinct fusion of Afro-electronic percussion, visual storytelling, and performance-driven energy, with appearances spanning COLORS, Pitchfork Paris, Glastonbury, Meltdown, and tours alongside Little Simz.
With ZERO, Alewya brings those elements into sharper focus. “Eshi” stands as one of the clearest indicators yet of what that debut will deliver, not just as a collection of tracks, but as a fully formed artistic statement shaped by culture, experimentation, and intent.
Featured image credit: Yonas Tadesse
