Wafia shares new single ‘Only Love’; VIII EP out Jan 19 via Future Classic

December 14 2017

Rising artist WAFIA today shares her new track, ‘Only Love‘, which premiered via triple j’s Good Nights with Linda Marigliano earlier this week. The track is taken from her highly anticipated VIII EP set for release January 19 via Future Classic. Listen to it below:

VIII finds Wafia—who was born in the Netherlands to Syrian and Iraqi parents and is now based in Australia—navigating her intersectional identities as a young, Muslim woman. Wafia wrote ‘Only Love’, alongside producers HazeBanga (Beyoncé, M.I.A., Syd) and Rogét Chahayed (D.R.A.M., Kendrick Lamar, Solange Knowles). The song explores the cultural complexities of coming to terms with feelings for someone of the same gender for the first time, whilst previously released lead single ‘Bodies’, looks at her family’s struggle within the ongoing crisis in Syria. Watch the Alli Coates-directed video here, and triple j’s HACK program delve deeper with her story here.

Along with the EP’s debut single, ‘83 Days‘, which has been streamed more than four million times to date, Wafia displays unceasing honesty and courage in her artistry, giving her audiences a record so bold, and significant for our time.

2017 has kept Wafia busy, with an Australian headline tour, London Grammar support, and a more recent European run of shows alongside BØRNS under her belt. She continues in 2018 with a North American tour in January and February of 2018, making stops in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and more. Check out dates and details below.

Only Love’ is out now via Future Classic, buy/stream it here.
Pre-order VIII EP now.

WAFIA TOUR DATES

January 1- Sydney, NSW – Field Day Festival
January 22 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
January 23 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
January 24 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
January 26 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
January 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge
January 29 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
January 30 – Toronto, ON – Drake Hotel
February 1 – Brooklyn NY – Rough Trade
February 2 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
February 3 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd

Tickets at wafiamusic.com

PRAISE FOR WAFIA

“Wafia just can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment and with her latest single, “Bodies”, she’s all but confirmed that her forthcoming EP ‘VIII’ is going to be one helluva project. Following on from lead single “83 Days“, the new single is one of Wafia’s most sonically bold releases yet. Masked in extremely catchy synth-pop melodies and a singalong-ready hook, although the surface shines extremely bright, the cut’s beauty is in its underlying meaning.”
Best Before

“Wafia…is focused on making music that’s accessible to everyone.” 
VICE’s Broadly

“Wafia is using pop as protest. The 24-year-old makes a song about the Syrian refugee crisis ‘accessible’ with an uplifting, lightweight alt-pop melody.”
Harper’s Bazaar

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

‘Hear Wafia’s Powerful And Personal Single About The Refugee Crisis’
Junkee Music

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys, [Ta-ku and Wafia] float above the music, playing off each other’s harmonies.”
NPR

‘Wafia continues to be one of Australia’s most important artists with her new single ‘Bodies’ – “The single is one of the most powerful of the year in both meaning and sound.’”
Pilerats

‘WAFIA’S ‘BODIES’ IS PURPOSEFUL POP AT IT’S MOST ACCESSIBLE’
Project U

“The song is invigorating and almost triumphal in its sound. A measured and relatable approach to writing a song about such a heavy topic, it definitely succeeds in conjuring that togetherness Wafia was aiming for.”
Purple Sneakers

This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

‘Single Of The Day’ – “Wafia’s new single “Bodies” is another step forward for the artist as she continues to wear personal stories on her sleeve and articulate such candid experiences beautifully through music.”
The AU Review

“Cool, yearning R&B”
The FADER