Lexa Gates’ new single “Estranged” just dropped today. When we asked her for the inspo, she said she wrote it for someone she works with. “It's dangerous territory to have feelings for someone you're working with, 'cause what are you supposed to do?” Obviously the answer’s pour your heart out in the studio.
As an artist, Lexa’s always been about raw, real lyrics over vibey, mellow beats. She’s known for her candid style and soulful samples, two things she’s confirmed we can expect on her next album. “[Although] I swear to God, I'm done. No more samples – they're very expensive. It's like making designer music.”
In the build up to her next album, we caught up with Lexa to find out what her new era’s about, who’s inspiring her rn, and whether she’s continuing with the crazy stunts (remember when she locked herself in a plexi glass box for 10 hours?). Keep reading to find out.
This year you’ve already dropped a number of singles, building up to your next album release, with your latest single, “Estranged” dropping today (December 5th) — can you share the story/inspiration behind this track?
“I fell in love with someone. I was working very close with them, but they lived somewhere else, so I went back home and got in the studio with some friends, and I just poured my heart out to them. I told them everything. It's dangerous territory to have feelings for someone you're working with, 'cause what are you supposed to do? It's just unprofessional and embarrassing.”
That’s so cute - does the person “Estranged” is about already know it's about them?
“Yeah, it's okay. They’re not gonna, like, find out [randomly], it's not a secret.”
Your sound is pretty multi-faceted, pulling on various genres for inspiration. Which genres are key to the sound of your upcoming album?
“I used a lot of soul samples. I guess I always do, [although] I swear to God, I'm done. No more samples – they're very expensive. It's like making designer music. I wouldn't say I pulled from anyone [in particular, though], but myself. That's always how my art becomes multifaceted, to be honest. It happens accidentally.”
Can you describe the vibe of your next album/era in one word?
“Profound.”
If you had the chance to collaborate with anyone in the music industry, who would you choose?
“Steve Lacey.”
Is that a spoiler for a feature on your next album?
“No, it's not. Actually, there's no features on the album, it's like all just me. Super self obsessed.”
You locked yourself in a box for 10 hours to promote your last album release. Do you have any stunts like that planned for this album drop?
“I do… something will be done. Another vague answer, I know, but yes. It's a secret currently, a surprise, but new year, new album, new crazy stunt. It’s something about the cycle with love.”
Right now, who would you call your biggest inspirations musically?
“Nobody, dude. I mean, I want to sound like myself. Or maybe Sabrina Carpenter. Realistically, artists like Drake and Sabrina Carpenter influence me from a business standpoint, because of how driven they are. But musically, I don't know…”
You’ve been making music for some time now, having dropped “Order of Events” in 2020. How has your approach to the industry changed since the beginning?
“I mean, I wasn't really in the music industry [since 2020]. I dropped [“Order of Events”], like, on my mom's MacBook Air that I brought to the Dunkin' Donuts around the corner to get Wi-Fi. I didn't even know anything about the music industry at all. I never watched any documentaries. Actually, when [the industry] found me, I was surprised. I was like, "Wow, there's a whole group of people who can help me with everything that I don't understand. This is crazy. This is like a gift from God.” I didn't even know about any of this stuff.”
What have you learnt since back then?
“Well, definitely this year and [working on] this album, I understand it way more and I know what's going on. Hence, looking up to Drake and Sabrina, [because] they're just such business people. It's just, like, [learning to be both] a product of being a corporation and a human body.”
You just wrapped your US tour! What’s your favourite thing about performing live?
“Seeing everyone know the words.”
And do you have a least favourite thing about performing live?
“No, I just love it. The worst thing is when it's over.”
The clothes you wear feel really personal to your vibe. How would you describe your aesthetic?
“I don't know… I was thinking about that today. I just feel like I'm playing dress up. I'm the corporation, so I gotta put myself in nice decoration. A lot of the time [I do my own styling]. I work with this guy Kyle sometimes, but when I take all the stuff on the road and put it in a suitcase, I just want to buy my own stuff and wear my own shit.”
Do you have a favourite brand or designer at the moment?
“I love Acne and Balenciaga. And those weird Loewe shoes.”
What’s something you think the music industry is lacking right now?
“Something new. Everybody's trying to do the same shit, because that's what the labels are telling everyone to do. Make TikToks. We got, like, a billion people propping up their phone and putting the lyrics at the bottom [of the screen]. We need something outside of the box, like, something shocking.”
That’s so true. Also, you've already been inside the box, like, physically, inside the box, so I guess you’re very literally stepping outside it.
“It’s funny when people say, like, ‘you were locked in a box’ [because] it was just, like, thin plexi glass that I could push gently, and it would completely collapse. It's all an illusion.”
OK, my last question is: what vibe are you manifesting for 2026?
“Wait, I wanna to talk about that illusion thing more. My mom worked at Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue, and she’d let me in the back: there's just roaches dead on the floor and everybody's fighting for commission. It’s like, when you're on tour, too, [people] see the show, and it's glamorous and perfect, but really you’re living on a bus. People think they're gonna get somewhere, and then it's gonna, and then they're gonna be happy, and then it's gonna be perfect. It just never really is. So, what's my vibe for next year? I would love to live in the illusion of success. I guess no one has to know that there's roaches in the back room, but I'm gonna tell them... I feel like maybe they should know.”
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