Words by Skylar Sanders
Gabriella Zauna’s “PINUP” might have a runtime of just over two minutes, but it packs a punch in a way that her audience surely expected. The 19-year-old LA-based musician is known for being a “one-woman band” of sorts, taking ownership of every part of the creative process as she brings her projects to life. In a world steeped in AI and the modern artist’s struggle for complete authority over their work in the face of record deals and contracts, Zauna’s dedication to seeing projects through to the end makes them that much more impressive and memorable. How often is it that we come across musicians doing it all – from writing to production – with such a strong vision and the ability to seamlessly execute it?
Zauna has a rare sensory disorder called synesthesia, which affects around 4% of people. It’s characterized by the experiencing of more than one sense simultaneously. For Zauna, this looks like hearing sounds and sensing colors (particularly blue), textures, and shapes at the same time. This adds a dimension to her work that is inimitable, and her experience with music-making while possessing such a rare gift is something that can be felt in “PINUP” specifically. The single’s layered, chopped, and experimental vocals create a bouncing rhythm that is difficult to put into words. It’s better to experience it in its fullness, rather than to hyperanalyze it – to do so would be to do a disservice to Zauna as an artist.
I always appreciate hearing musicians take new directions and risks in their work, and Zauna’s willingness to play with the pairing of crunchy and smooth vocals in her production is refreshing. Her style is distinctive, a fusion of alternative dark pop, electronica, and, dare I say, “recession pop.” Coming from a listener with little experience in the art form of dance, I also feel the need to say that “PINUP” is a track that deserves to be choreographed. The composition lends itself to becoming something larger than itself, more than just an auditory experience. Adding physical movement, which the single seems to demand, just feels right.
This is a full-body listening experience, which I can only assume comes from something deeper within Zauna and her ability to embrace the sensory world in a way most of us can’t. Although “PINUP” is fast-paced and a (regrettably) short track, it’s one of those songs with a replayability that can’t be denied – whether that looks like playing it on a loop for 30 minutes and dancing in the mirror, or adding it to your playlist to become a staple in your daily rotation. Either way, I’m sure we’ll hear more from Zauna soon, and I think we’ll be hearing her name much more in the coming years as well.
Loudspeaker Collective 