Freak Slug and Huron John

Xenya Genovese, better known as Freak Slug, is a Manchester, England–born visual artist turned self-taught musician whose work is rooted in raw, authentic self-expression. A mix of nostalgic ‘90s influences and experimental eccentricity, her sound bridges dreamy lo-fi with grungy, imperfect edges. After moving to London for a fine arts degree and later to Barcelona, Spain, to pursue her art, Genovese unexpectedly found herself on stage and embraced a new identity as Freak Slug. Her debut 2020 EP, Videos, featuring the viral hit "Radio" (13.5 million Spotify streams), introduced listeners to her summery, Los Angeles-inspired sound. Still, her upcoming album, I Blow Out Big Candles, dives deeper into grittier, unfiltered territory.

Influenced by cult heroes like Ride, Mazzy Star, and Pavement, Freak Slug’s music captures the tension between playful spontaneity and darker introspection. Collaborating with Jadu Heart’s Alex Headford, she crafted a debut that strips away polish to embrace the carelessness and imperfections of her earliest creations. Tracks like the grungy, guitar-driven “Ya Ready” and the slacker anthem “Witch” reflect her fearless exploration of primal energies and spiritual vibes, while songs like “Piece of Cake” and “Sexy Lemon” reveal her cheeky, poetic storytelling. Playful yet unshackled, Freak Slug’s world is as textured and unpredictable as the artist herself.