Forbidden Feelingz

Nia Archives returns with one of her most adventurous, yet dreary singles yet, complete with the jungle influence we know and love her for. 

After an exciting EP which featured the likes of the fantastic ‘Sober Feels’ and ‘Headz Gone West’, ‘Forbidden Feelingz’ is the latest standout from the up-and-coming talent, and shows lyrical themes of internal conflict. 

The visuals present an energetic, ‘fast paced, B&W epic that chases Nia through London echoing the sentiment of the track, running from her feelings’. It perfectly complements the hectic 90s breakbeat sounds. 

The director of the video, Delphino, commented on the style of the visuals, saying “For the majority of scenes in the video, we cut out loads and loads of frames and mashed them together with stop motion”. 

With monotone, sensual vocals akin to the dreamy style of Greentea Peng, and gritty, heavy production drenched in influence from dub, UK jungle and drum and bass, it’s a formula that seems to work every time. It’s a perfect ode to rave culture, soundsystem culture and carnival, something Nia is passionate to pay tribute to, whilst representing her Jamaican roots. 

Whilst stylistically different, there are certainly parallels to draw with the sudden rise of PinkPantheress, who also pulls from drum and bass and garage to successful results every time. They both heavily lean into nostalgia, whilst Nia focuses on the grittier sound of old school 90s jungle. Her music, like PinkPantheress’, has a timeless quality. 

If there’s one thing we are desperate to hear, it’s a debut album from Nia. She is one of the most creative artists in the UK scene and we can’t wait for her to tap into her potential even further. 

Watch the video here.