[INTERVIEW] Xondra Talks New Single "Don't Think Of U"

Words: Natalia Barroso

New York’s singer-songwriter Xondra explores the intricate dance between sensitivity and empowerment in her latest release. “Don't Think Of U” is a pop track infused with a hip-hop flair that emerges as a beacon of artistic reinvention.

Amid challenging the limiting beliefs of her creative journey, "Don't Think Of U" was born—a capsule of her inexhaustible playfulness that shines through the work of producer Shubham Mondal. Drawing heavily from life, Xondra celebrates a “download from the universe,” as she describes this fusion of vulnerability and power. We’re gifted the hip-hop-influenced track that expands beyond the label artist, embracing the multi-genre nature of her music.

In a candid Q&A, Xondra discusses the challenges of stepping out of her comfort zone, the joy of collaborating with Mondal, and the themes of confidence and letting go that permeate her new EP. As she prepares to share her most dynamic work yet, Xondra offers insights into her evolving artistry and the personal experiences that shape her music.

What has been the most challenging part of creating “The Bad EP”?

The most challenging part has been pushing myself to release a collection of my more playful songs. Sometimes, I get caught up in thinking I can only put out tracks that are profound or deeply emotional. I forget to showcase my true personality, which is both sassy and silly. Compiling these songs has helped me overcome that mental block and embrace my full artistic range.

How did your collaboration with Shubham Mondal come about, and what was it like working with him on this track?

I met Shubham at the studio in 2021, and we quickly realized that we have great chemistry when working together. Now, we collaborate on everything I do, and it's truly a pleasure to work with a producer who pushes me to reach my full potential and step out of my comfort zone. Working on this song was especially fun. We finished most of it over a year ago, revisited it last month, and thought, "Why don’t we release this one?"

"Don't Think Of U" is described as having a darker Ariana Grande vibe. Can you elaborate on how you achieved this sound?

We incorporated a lot of vocal stacks over the beat, which has a strong hip-hop influence. What gives it a darker edge are the more aggressive lyrics, setting it apart from artists like Ariana Grande, whom I love dearly but definitely has a different vibe.

What themes and messages are you hoping to convey with “The Bad EP”?

I hope to convey the importance of stepping into your power and being confident in who you are, no matter where you are on your journey. Live and love loudly. Let go of past situations and people that hold you back, and move forward so you can evolve into who you are meant to be.

How do you feel your music has evolved since your previous releases?

I feel more confident embracing the multi-genre nature of my music. I used to stress about fitting myself into a specific box for marketing purposes, but I've realized that part of the joy of being an independent artist is the freedom to do whatever I want. As I grow and develop as an artist, I'm learning to lean into my love for experimenting with different sounds and genres.

Can you share a bit about your creative process when writing and producing a song?

It varies for every song, but "Don't Think Of U" began with me alone in my room, softly singing the hook to myself. It felt like a download from the universe. I then created a demo to bring to my team, and we ended up scrapping the beat, speeding up the song, and starting from scratch with just the melody and lyrics. Shubham is a production genius and understood what I wanted the song to be like even before I did. Once the synths were added, I knew it was going to be a cool track, and I couldn't be happier with the final result.

What role does your personal experience play in your songwriting? How do you choose to intertwine it into your art?

I draw heavily from personal experience in my writing. Sometimes, it's blatantly about a person or situation, while other times it's a mix of different experiences rolled into one song. I like to write honestly about what I'm feeling at any given moment, but as I get older, I'm learning to be more subtle with the details of what and who my songs are about. It's always a balance between sharing yourself musically and keeping your private life private.

How do you balance different musical elements like hip hop, R&B, and alternative R&B in your music?

I think it just happens naturally. I never focus too much on genre when I'm writing; I'm just dedicated to crafting the best song possible and creating art I'm proud of. Being a playful person makes it easy for me to experiment with different musical elements across genres. I'm genuinely out here having fun and doing my best to tap into the musical well of knowledge we all have at our disposal.

What do you hope listeners take away from “The Bad EP” and your music in general?

I hope people listen to 'The Bad EP' and embrace the many facets within themselves. We, as people, are incredibly multifaceted, and I strive to capture that in my music. We are emotional creatures doing our best in this crazy life. I hope listeners feel confident and encouraged to be themselves, loudly and proudly.

What are your plans for the rest of 2024, especially with your sophomore album on the horizon?

I have an abundance of music that I'll be sharing with everyone in the coming months and year ahead. Something not widely known about me is the sheer volume of songs I write. I'm constantly writing and recording, resulting in a substantial collection of unreleased music. To catch up sonically with where I am now, I've decided to release most of these songs over the next year or so.

I feel incredibly blessed to create music every day, and I believe the material on my upcoming album represents some of my best work yet. I'm feeling more excited and confident as both an artist and person than I have in a long time. There's nothing that makes me happier than starting to release music at the pace I've always wanted.

I used to have many limiting beliefs about music—how and when to release it—but I'm grateful to now be in a stage of my career where I can call all the shots and pivot as needed.

Stream “Don’t Think Of U” below.