ILIRA – “Floating With The Sharks”

Born in Brienz with Kosovo-Albanian roots, this Swiss singer and songwriter got her start as a teen as part of the group The Colors, who were on the pre-selection list for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. After she began uploading her solo music to Instagram which led to a record deal with Sony/ATV. Now based in Berlin, she’s collaborated with artists such as Alle Farben and Tiësto. Inspired by Britney Spears, Rihanna and Nirvana, she debuted with “Whisper My Name” in 2018.

Lyrically giving an honest reflection on her time signed with major labels and how this experience affected her, her new single is her first as a truly independent artist. Trying to move away from the bubble-gum pop and dance music she was known for, she’s now exploring her own sound. The melody starts with a folky intro, before moving into a darker pop scene. Effortlessly blending together with her mesmerizing vocals, this initial step to sonic independence sounds truly sumptuous.