Dating culture can be pretty toxic these days, but Precious Pepala doesn’t think we need to be ashamed of that. “Everyone can be a little bit crazy in relationships,” she told us when we sat down with her to chat about her new EP “Rosey”.
Whether you relate to Rosey or she scares the sh*t out of you, it’s true that she’s living in a lot of us, because at the core of Precious’ EP is relatability. With melodic lyricism sung over a pop-soul beat, the EP isn’t just insanely catchy but its ‘star-crossed lovers wearing rose tinted glasses’ storyline hits pretty close to home.
Here’s what Precious had to say about the meaning behind her EP, dating culture today, and what’s next on her horizon.
Your latest EP, “Rosey” is a concept album centred around a toxic relationship. What at first made you want to theme the EP around this?
“I knew I wanted to write some songs about love and romance but in a really honest way that people can relate to. Dating culture is pretty toxic these days and everyone can be a little bit crazy in relationships so I made this character and storyline that we can all hide behind and pretend we’re not all exactly like Rosey!”
“Rosey” explores the idea of “ignoring the red flags” at the start of a relationship. What’s the biggest red flag you’ve seen in someone you’re dating (or in yourself)?
“I’m really quick to look for red flags when I’m dating now because of past experiences and maybe that makes me a red flag! To name a few: when people don’t have good hygiene (I’m a clean freak!), when they don’t dream big or have aspirations, when they don’t like dogs.. or music.. I met someone the other day who said he didn’t like music.. red flag!”
You’re known for traversing genres in your music, combining references to alt pop, rock, soul and gospel. Is there a genre you’ve not explored yet that you’re intrigued by?
“I’ve recently been listening to a lot of heavier rock/metal music – bands like Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot – I’d love to push my sound a little heavier at some point. Screamo Precious loading…”
Gospel particularly is a really unique sound within your work. I know you grew up religious – is it your roots which drew you to want to feature the style in your EP?
“Definitely. Even though I’m not religious I discovered my love for music singing in church and I particularly love the sound of choral vocals in gospel music.”
On IG you wrote that “Rosey” is your “3rd and possibly final EP”, hinting at an album maybe coming. What makes you want to go down that route next?
“I feel like I’m just ready to write a bigger body of work. I’m really proud of “Rosey” but there’s only so much you can do with an EP and lets be honest no one ever talks about their favourite EP its always albums and I want to be part of those conversations!”
Obviously, Romeo and Juliet are the OG toxic lovers, but in your opinion who’s the most iconic toxic couple in pop culture history?
“For me personally I would have to say Damon and Elena from Vampire Diaries because I’m a massive fan of that show and it will always have my heart!”
