New Releases: Samia’s ‘Bloodless’ Album and Lauren Halsey’s ’emajendat’ Exhibition

Singer-songwriter Samia has announced her highly anticipated third album, ‘Bloodless,’ set to release on April 25, 2025. The album follows her debut ‘The Baby’ and sophomore effort ‘Honey,’ and promises to delve into themes of identity and self-extraction.

The lead single, “Bovine Excision,” explores the metaphor of bloodless cattle mutilation, symbolizing a clinical pursuit of emptiness. Samia’s unique blend of country-rock and introspective lyrics is expected to resonate with fans and new listeners alike.

‘Bloodless’ Tracklist and Production

‘Bloodless’ features a diverse tracklist, including songs like “Biscuits Intro,” “Hole In A Frame,” and “Lizard”.

The album was co-produced by Caleb Wright and Jake Luppen, with contributions from Christian Lee Hutson and Raffaela. Recorded between North Carolina and Minneapolis, ‘Bloodless’ reflects Samia’s journey of self-discovery and artistic growth.

EXCLUSIVE

Rich with layers that shift seamlessly from sparse folk to sweeping indie-pop epics, 'Bloodless' explores Samia's relationship with a fragmented, symbolic version of Men.@GrandJuryMusic https://t.co/6mri772YAt pic.twitter.com/hQzj40gJ56

— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) January 14, 2025

Lauren Halsey’s ’emajendat’ Exhibition

Meanwhile, artist Lauren Halsey is making waves with her vibrant and immersive exhibition, ’emajendat,’ at Serpentine South in London.

Inspired by the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles, where her family has lived for generations, Halsey’s work vividly reflects her community through sculptures and site-specific installations.

The exhibition highlights Halsey’s obsession with material culture and her interest in remixing messages and symbols to confront issues affecting people of color, the queer community, and the working class.

A Fusion of Past, Present, and Future

Halsey’s ’emajendat’ merges past, present, and future by drawing on the imagery of ancient Egypt, the African diaspora, and Black and queer icons.

Her monumental rooftop installation, “the eastside of South Central Los Angeles Hieroglyph Prototype Architecture (I),” features the faces of notable Black figures on the columns’ capitals. The exhibition also includes Halsey’s eclectic “funkmound” sculptures, which encompass numerous found items and miniature dioramas.

Community Engagement and Empowerment

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Halsey founded the community center Summaeverythang in 2019, dedicated to the empowerment and transcendence of Black and Brown individuals socio-politically, economically, intellectually, and artistically. ’emajendat’ continues to showcase Halsey’s commitment to her community and her vision of creating a permanent sculpture park in South Central Los Angeles.

Both Samia’s ‘Bloodless’ and Lauren Halsey’s ’emajendat’ exhibition highlight the power of art and music to explore complex themes and inspire audiences. Samia’s introspective album and Halsey’s vibrant installations offer unique perspectives on identity, community, and self-expression.

As we look forward to the release of ‘Bloodless’ and the continuation of ’emajendat,’ it’s clear that both artists are making significant contributions to their respective fields.

What are your thoughts on Samia’s new album and Lauren Halsey’s exhibition? Share your opinions!