Floralis x Rankd

Brighton-based Antifascist Musician Floralis releases 'Saboteur Club Anthems Vol. 1'

If you haven’t listened to Floralis’ new album Saboteur Club Anthems Vol. 1, then you’re sabotaging yourself. Encapsulating anti-imperialist ideology and eloquently expressed rage within an new album gives an edge to the industry. Her music is something you can both learn from, groove and lose yourself in. Floralis is one of those rare artists whose work has an incredible range of effects: you’ll dance your heart out, feel the rage of the injustices she exposes, laugh, cry, and most of all – feel the inspiration to do better for this world.

At the core of her creations is the deep sense of community. Her anarchist politics shine through her inspiring call for us to love more and fight harder. Her music is a reflection of who she is, combining both political insight and artistic brilliance, whist also creating a safe space for any who are oppressed, marginalised, or in her words – ‘inspired to fight back, and in some way to contribute to a culture of resistance’.

Floralis spoke to RANKD about her excitement for her newest album, a true product of ‘blood, sweat and tears’. The dedication shines into through her 8 tracks, each with its own incisive titles, with flavours ranging from art pop to emo reverberating through each beat.

When asked about her personal history developing her sound, Floralis told us – ‘I’ve been making music since I was 11 years old, but I previously used to play in hardcore punk and metal bands, playing guitar, bass and doing vocals. I actually grew up listening to thrash metal, then punk, then emo, and eventually hip hop. I like to think you can hear all of these aspects in my music.’

"I played this rave in Berlin last month, and this trans woman came over to me and said, 'You used to play metal or hardcore before, didn't you?', so I asked her how she knew. She told me, 'You put your hand behind your lower back when you rap.' That history of punk and metal is just built into my DNA at this point."

Her music is well-versed, intellectually driven and frankly f***ing remarkable. Our personal favorites: ‘black combat boots’ and ‘capitalism gone mad’, are the kind of tracks that make their way into hardcore rage, late night kitchen dancing and feeling like flipping-off your boss at work. Music that makes you think, provides a sharp pop edge, an emo undercurrent and basically pure lyrical genius.

It’s clear that Floralis uses her platform to connect people but to represent her heritage and lived experience as a musician of colour. Her work feels both deeply personal and universally political. The kind of music that reminds you that art and activism can, and should, dance together.

If Saboteur Club Anthems Vol. 1 is only volume one? We can only imagine what’s coming next… But one thing’s for certain – this is a MUST listen.

Floralis has also started the Bands Boycott Spotify campaign alongside Chuck SJ and Jessica Claire which we encourage you to explore. After recently returning from a European tour alongside LVZ Silenciosa, Floralis is an unstoppable force in the electronic space, and we can’t get enough! Stay in the loop by supporting Floralis on Bandcamp and Instagram, or even pick up a physical copy at the newly-opened Dream Street Records!