Today, May 25th marks the release of annonXL’s “WAY DOWN” the new single and official video from the Philadelphia born, Los Angeles-based singer/producer, and their contribution to the Hardly Art Singles Series.
‘WAY DOWN” was written, arranged and produced by annonXL, and its video was also directed by annon and Jahari White. This song is the honeyed-vocaled R&B singer’s joyous ode to discovering love in someone else’s relationship, and an exploration of sex and their gender identity. It also introduces us to SILAH, annon’s feminine alter ego.
annon, who identifies as nonbinary, and uses they/them/she/her pronouns, says “SILAH (pron. si-LAH) was born out of the lowest vibrations of myself. The name has an Arabic/Muslim definition of ‘The Divine Armor.’ Unbeknownst to many in my life, I’d struggled with my identity behind closed doors, going years without sex and affection. I’ve finally had the time, space, and the freedom to express and be myself. In short, I honestly don’t give a f*** anymore.”
They continue,“I wrote ‘WAY DOWN' after taking my first trip to Los Angeles. After all those years of repression, the horniness had finally awoken in me. When I returned to LA, I was also hornier than ever. It was terrifying (*laughs*). As horny as this song is, I’m not outwardly sexual. Like, when guys I talk to start spewing sexual innuedos too soon, they get blocked…like immediately (*laughs*)! “‘I am a woman of God, n****, what don’t you get! Still, I needed a song that would encourage me to ride d*ck, but like…romantically.”
About the Hardly Art Singles Series:
2022 marks 15 years of Hardly Art and 15 years of sharing music we love from artists we love. From The Duchess and the Duke to Hunx and His Punx to Protomartyr to La Luz to My Idea, we’ve been lucky to be the label home for some of our favorite artists from the past 15 years. In the spirit of continuing the legacy, we’re unbelievably stoked to launch Hardly Art 15. Over the course of the year we’ll share 15 new singles from 15 of our favorite artists that we think should be your favorite artists too.
Hear Hardly Art Singles Series contributions from annonXL, Nana Lourdes, Marbled Eye, ill peach, Hushpuppy, and more through our singles series playlist on Spotify.
annonXL
hardly art
hardly art 15
WAY DOWN