Australian singer Wafia today shares her new video for current single, ‘Bodies’ which premiered on NYLON Magazine overnight. Watch the video below:

Director Alli Coates explains, “The video is a visual representation of the social divide ripping our world apart. The old world regimes of the west are clinging to this idea of a homogenised, heteronormative, nationalist society. Young men are trained to be aggressive and women are trained to be pageant ready pieces of meat.”

Coates continues, “Wafia and I talked at length about the heat she had been feeling as a Muslim woman in Australia amidst a time of free-flying hate rhetoric. To me, Wafia represents the resistance against xenophobia, racism, and prejudice in the best way. She uses this as the fuel for her burning fire, she is the uprising against a life lead by fear.“

Wafia adds, “The first time I met Alli I was incredibly drawn towards her energy. Opening up to her about the meaning of Bodies and my experiences was effortless. When it came time to put the video together, Alli’s perspective was incredibly important because I never wanted this song or video to only stand for my story. We wanted it to feel inclusive to everyone that feels like they stand out to the people surrounding them.”

‘Bodies’ was co-written by Ben Abraham (Kesha, Praying), produced by Robopop (Lana Del Rey,Charli XCX) and follows the release of ‘83 Days’, Wafia’s first solo release since her debut XXIX EP in 2015 and the first track off her forthcoming VIII EP. The song is a particularly personal one for the singer — who was born in the Netherlands to Iraqi and Syrian parents — as it addresses her family’s struggle to escape the ongoing civil war in Syria, and to attain refugee status in Australia. Contrasting lyrics about the crisis with upbeat pop instrumentals, Wafia deliberately attempts to make the song’s message reach audiences beyond those already concerned with the Syrian conflict.

Following its radio and online premieres across triple j’s ‘Good Nights with Linda Marigliano’ and VICE’s Broadly, ‘Bodies’ received over 750k impressions in its first week, global play-listing support across Spotify and Apple Music including New Music Friday and was spotted on the Viral Charts in Australia, the U.K. and throughout Europe. The love for the track continued with tweets from American singer Khalid, as well as the Syrian American Medical Society, The Global Citizen Festival and The National Museum of Women in the Arts and was also named as “one of Australia’s most important artists” by local outlet Pilerats.

Fans of Wafia can catch her live show across her upcoming East Coast tour later this month, with Sydney-based vocalist and producer, Annie Bass now joining Buoy in both Sydney and Melbourne. Wafia is also set to support London Grammar at Brisbane’s Riverstage this weekend. Watch her live performance of ‘83 Days’ with co-writer Ben Abraham here before seeing it for yourself this September.

Pre-order VIII EP, including tracks ‘83 Days’ and ‘Bodies’ now.
’Bodies’ is out now via Future Classic. Buy/stream it here.

WAFIA TOUR DATES
*with support from Buoy + Annie Bass

Saturday 23 September | Brisbane | Riverstage (supporting London Grammar)
Friday 29 September | Sydney | Oxford Art Factory*
Thursday 5 October | Melbourne | The Corner Hotel*
Monday 1 January | Sydney | Field Day Festival

Tickets at wafiamusic.com