Knife Girl, the ever evolving project of 23 year old songwriter/producer Lili Aslo, released her new album CUM in November 2023. A personal pop album that eschews the indie-rock of last year’s Uniform album and relocates Knife Girl in the super melodic forefront of hyperpop experience and electronica’s more rhythm based textures.
“CUM is about the huge changes I experienced with my sexuality and gender identity upon starting hormone replacement therapy. I wanted to explore those themes of sex and gender in a sincere way without sensationalising or romanticising my experience. Though sex and relationships are lovely, there is a greed and ugliness to it as well. And though my gender expression fills me with euphoria, the fear of violence and hate crimes haunts me daily. I’m assuming many people will think of this album as shallow and gimmicky without giving it an honest chance. I purposefully named the album “CUM” to provoke those kinds of people. I’m writing songs about sex as an artistic choice, not because it’s an easy way out for me.
The album is about sex! I thought using CUM as an album title was a really effective way of getting that across. I set out to create an album explicitly from a trans perspective. I also wanted to be openly sexual. I’m proud I did that.
The album’s sound expands on what I was doing on my OONA EP from 2021, adding more dance elements to it. I produced the songs with the idea of wanting them to be danceable live. The sound design is inspired by some of my favourite producers like Sophie and A.G.Cook. “
Releasing music under different guises since 2013, 23yr old Lili Aslo (aka Knife Girl) has released 5 EP’s and one album collecting more than 12 million listeners on various music platforms. Knife Girl’s Metro EP from June 2021 caught the attention of tastemakers all over, further cemented by the OONA EP from November 2021. Knife Girl’s growing reputation as a producer and songwriter of adventurous sonic endeavours replenished with special melodic gifts was merely enhanced by her debut album Uniform released in Sept. 2022. Live shows have grown in stature from solo appearances to full on seven piece band dynamics with Aslo’s endearing personality shining through. The often chameleon-like nature of Aslo’s music has traversed genres such as bedroom pop, hyperpop, classic indie rock and more in an ever expanding and crafted oeuvre. These releases have garnered everything from Emma nominations (Finnish Grammy), multiple indie award nominations, national broadcaster YleX’s Breakthrough Artist recognition and Impala’s one’s to watch for 2023.
