October 18th - Singer-songwriter, Nikitaa, has released their deeply emotional new single, "Snail Mail," today. The piano-based ballad explores the complexities of first loves, the confusion of navigating sexuality at a young age, and the personal journey of understanding one's identity. With delicate harmonies that build
toward a powerful crescendo, "Snail Mail" merges tender storytelling with a stirring sonic progression to create a beautiful and emotional musical experience.
"Snail Mail" draws inspiration from Nikitaa’s own pre-teen experience when a girl in 7th grade developed a silent crush on her, remaining quiet due to the social stigma surrounding homosexuality at the time. Through this song, Nikitaa reflects on the confusion of those early feelings and her evolving understanding of her demisexuality, a topic still underrepresented in mainstream music. By expressing these personal challenges, Nikitaa opens a door for listeners who may have faced similar experiences.
Co-written with her friend Lily Lyons, the title "Snail Mail" was inspired by Lily's childhood memory of receiving type-written love letters from a boy. Both Nikitaa and Lily tapped into these formative experiences, drawing parallels between their early crushes and how societal taboos around sexuality shaped those interactions. Their collaboration captures the vulnerability and innocence of young love, creating a relatable and poignant narrative.
"Snail Mail" follows the release of Nikitaa’s EP, Ascension, which debuted in July. Ascension reflects Nikitaa’s personal journey over the past few years, exploring themes of loneliness, loss, and ultimately self-reclamation. The EP is a raw and authentic narrative, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the rediscovery of one's own identity and sexuality. Much like Ascension, "Snail Mail" continues the conversation of finding light after darkness and embracing the complexity of life’s emotional and personal challenges.
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Nikitaa, an LA-based artist born and raised in India, infuses their music with ethereal Pop/R&B influences and their South Asian heritage, creating what they call Goddess Pop - music that emphasizes the fluidity of gender and emotional expression. As a genderfluid demisexual person, who predominantly uses they/them pronouns, Nikitaa is always emphasizing the importance of representation and inclusivity in the music industry. With over 6 million YouTube views/Spotify streams combined, Nikitaa’s music has captured the attention of listeners instantly.
Throughout 2023, Nikitaa explored themes of vulnerability and strength in singles like “Scheming,” “On My Own,” “Peter Pan,” “Throne,” “Daddy Era,” and “Truman Show,” receiving recognition from Rolling Stone India, Radio One India, and Ones To Watch playlist Now Watching. Additionally, Nikitaa's keen ear and exceptional lyricism have led to brand placements with Splice’s Pride Month and South Asian Heritage Month campaigns.
Nikitaa’s work as a songwriter extends beyond their own projects, with credits on tracks for artists such as Trophy Boy (Nightmare, T.O.F.U, & Trophy Boy), Srushti Tawde (Breakfast Over Bae), RIKA (Grown Up), Aastha Gill, Munawar Faruqi, and Robica.
Inspired by artists like Beyonce for her knack for genre bending, fluidity in style and vocal prowess, and Jon Bellion for his overall songwriting; Nikitaa continues to push boundaries, blending genres and incorporating Indian and Middle Eastern instrumentation into their music. Prior to this release, Nikitaa has released her EP and five other singles including "Pillow Prince," “Delirious Summer,” “Elevator,” “Heaven,” and "Godless” which Rolling Stone included in their "Songs You Need To Know" roundup.
