zzzahara Finds Their Way Forward with Upcoming Album, Spiral Your Way Out

Heartbreak is a shapeshifter and a universal feeling we all know too well. The bitter aftermath of someone being a part of your life only to leave you with a gaping void and memories you cannot relive is one that zzzahara translates into their music. With Spiral Your Way Out, the ache of loss translated into a creative fuel that drove their lofi dreampop, post-punk sound into an emo-ridden album.

Image credit: Pooneh Ghana

“I let a lot of vulnerability and emotion show,” zzzahara shares with me from the living room of their LA apartment—with their cat occasionally appearing in the background. “It’s a breakup record, all about one person, which is kind of messed up,” they say. “There’s a lot to unpack.” In the aftermath of heartbreak, zzzahara turned to revelry and fleeting connections to process the hurt. Nights out, new faces, and the pulse of a crowd were their means of confronting loss not by escapism—but only by living through it to move on. There is an unspoken grace in allowing oneself to simply be, amid the non-linear messiness of healing. Rather than judging their choices, zzzahara embraced a philosophy of letting life unfold naturally. The aim was not to sidestep sadness but to keep it from consuming everything else. By seizing life without overthinking, they avoided the spiral of despair. Spiral Your Way Out becomes aptly named—a reflection of the journey where they rediscovered joy, even as heartbreak wove its way into their world. "(A spiral) is like a cycle—it starts at the top and ends at the bottom, only to begin again. (It's) like viewing life’s circle, but a little more complicated. It’s reassuring though, knowing there’s always a way out in the end."

zzzahara speaks with a disarming openness, exuding a tone of acceptance and enlightenment. Writing tracks like It Didn’t Mean Nothing, born from the sting of watching their ex move on just two weeks after their breakup. While they were still in the thick of it, it saddened them to hear the lyrics, but now it makes them laugh. “It’s sarcastic, like, ‘Yeah, it didn’t mean nothing. Of course, it meant something.’ It’s basically my diss track.”

While breakups are the emotional foundation of Spiral Your Way Out, it also marks a turning point for zzzahara creatively. They describe it as their most developed work yet—a product of lived experiences and newfound confidence. “The song structures and lyrics are more developed” they explain. “I’ve lived more, gone through more, and leaned into myself in a way I hadn’t before.”

Collaboration played a key role in shaping the album’s sound. Working with producers like Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties and Alex Craig brought on new engineering and recording techniques on songs like Wish You Would Notice and Head in a Wheel. “Everyone I worked with is into emo and alternative music, which just clicked,” zzzahara says. With new bands forming regularly, zzzahara had the opportunity to nerd and rock out with their collaborators, inspiring them to explore sonic territories they had been meaning to.

More recently, they have been listening to Pierce the Veil, My Chemical Romance, Sleeping with Sirens and their love for these influences is palpable. “When I listen to Pierce the Veil or Sleeping with Sirens, I immediately recognize Vic Fuentes or Kellen Quinn because their voices are distinct enough without being drenched in reverb. That’s what I want to have —a clear, established voice that people can identify.”  This time around, zzzahara dove deeper into their emo influences, bringing them to life in the new album.

While they’ve been working on their craft, zzzahara remains as organic as ever. There is an unfiltered outpouring of emotions, often improvised in the studio. “I just start playing guitar and freestyle,” they say. “Some people need everything to be perfect, but for me, it’s about capturing the moment.”

This free-spirited approach spills over into zzzahara’s music videos, where collaboration often drives the vision. “Sometimes I don’t want to be in control—I let the director interpret the song, and if I vibe with their idea, we run with it.” Whether it’s channeling loneliness and haunting memories in Ghosts or just cutting loose in It Didn't Mean Nothing, the result is always a refreshing burst of joy that balances the emotional intensity of their work.

After years of relentless work, back-to-back relationships, and managing every aspect of their tour and career, zzzahara has found peace in life’s simple pleasures outside of music from savoring a cup of coffee, enjoying a workout, or getting lost in a good book. “Life for me has not always been easy so the minor things make me happy. If a friend wants to come with me to the grocery store, that brings me joy, or when I’m invited to a party it means a lot to me because it allows me to get out of the house and my headspace.” Despite life's turbulence, zzzahara clings to gratitude, finding solace in simple, meaningful moments.  "I used to be so dissociative because I didn't have the means to survive. I was always working and making music on the side, juggling everything. Now, things are simpler.", they mention. While focused on having fun, they hold onto the hope that their music will offer something meaningful to others.

As they prepare for the release of Spiral Your Way Out, zzzahara is embracing this new chapter with quiet confidence. “I’ve worked so hard on my life and might as well enjoy it. I’m hoping that one day music pays off but right now I’ll enjoy what I can and what I have.” With steady belief, zzzahara is finding their way out, and perhaps the first step is this album.

Spiral Your Way Out breaks out of the confines of heartbreak, offering a poignant exploration of moving on, and the redemptive force of music.

Pre-save zzzahara’s album, Spiral Your Way Out, set to release on January 10, 2024 here.