A Cryptic New Single from an Artist You’ll Want to Keep an Eye On

Is it just me, or does a song title that’s nowhere to be found in the lyrics of the song just hit a little different? The brand new debut single from a budding artist, Zaccaï is called ‘Cryptic’, not because it’s the most memorable word in the chorus, but simply because, as the artist told me on a hot day on a cafe patio on the Upper East Side, “that just is its name!” I nodded in steadfast agreement– that is its name. And I think when you give it a listen, get to know the haunting chords, the moody, relatable lyrics, and the mischievous way the song moves, you’ll agree. That’s its name. 

A politics major and design minor at Marymount Manhattan, Zaccaï’s creative life has taken her through painting, fashion, and graphic design in addition to singing and songwriting– but you’ll have to wait for the release of warmly zine in print to get to know the artist a bit better through our in-depth interview. For now, we can talk about this single, a “dark pop”, cinematic tune produced by Grammy U. 

The writing process started in Washington Square Park. In Washington Square Park… and also in a low moment, that is. You know how sitting with your own feelings in a public space in NYC tends to kind of stir up all the stuff? “I kind of felt like I didn't know how to manage adulthood, I guess,” the singer/songwriter mentioned vulnerably, “I just felt really alone.” These are feelings a lot of us know well– and what a beautiful place to start a work of art from. The songwriting or creative processes can help us make sense of our emotional worlds in an organic way– and it’s an absolute treat to listen to what came out of that process for Zaccaï with Cryptic. 

I also think it’s worth mentioning as we speak of this project that the artist did her own graphic design. “The way my mind works, I kind of think in aesthetics,” Zaccaï told me. And she really nailed the vibe of the single with its cover art. It has a kind of moodiness but also features that cool, cybercore aesthetic nostalgia that’s so captivating for young listeners– not unlike the sound of the single itself. It’s one of those moments where interdisciplinary creativity just works.

I can’t wait for you to read what Zaccaï has to say about the relationship between art and self-care, creative collaboration, perfectionism and messiness, the complexities of being an artist in an ever-evolving industry, and a lot more good stuff. (Look for it in print this fall!😉) But for now, I’ll leave you with her vibey new single, Cryptic. And this last message from the artist: “Life is beautiful. And if you feel like you’re in a rough spot, a year from now, that won’t even matter.”