Ariane X’s debut solo pop album Better is being re-released soon with four extra tracks and two remixes, as well as a brand new cover image.

Better is a record full of pain, joy and hope, with heartfelt lyrics, huge melodies, soaring choruses and rhythmic, danceable grooves. Ariane has performed, written and produced all the tracks herself in her home studio in Upton Park, East London, singing, rapping, programming and playing keys. The lyrics cover such themes as unconditional love, motherhood, parental separation, mental illness, suicidal ideation and domestic violence.

Guitar on the track ‘Not Normal’ is by Dave Dexter, remix of ‘When I Was Your Age’ by DonQuibeats aka Stuart Bruce, vocal tuning on all tracks by Brandon Nitta, and mixing and mastering on all tracks by Black Horizon Studio, Italy.

Ariane X’s influences are Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Saint Etienne, Dubstar, Pet Shop Boys, Garbage, Tricky, Massive Attack and Suede. Her electropop songs are most often compared to Saint Etienne and Dubstar, though several also include Indian sounds such as sitar and tabla.

A Londoner, Ariane was born in Camden, NW1 and raised in Willesden Green, NW2 for the first half of her childhood, then Pinner, HA5 for the second half. She is a successful writer, mainly of television shows, non-fiction books, and articles for newspapers such as the Guardian and Sunday Times. At 40, she decided to follow her heart and become a pop star - a dream she has held since the age of 12.

The re-release of her debut album Better contains 18 tracks. 17 of them are letters to her daughter, who is now aged 14. The bonus track ‘Edie’ is a letter to her sister.

The first release of Better was reviewed favourably by Classic Pop magazine in their Sep/Oct 2024 issue, with 3.5/5 stars: ‘Laying bare her hopes, fears and dreams as a mother, Ariane X explores in unflinching detail the emotional rollercoaster of being a parent on this debut album from the former Duran Duran session singer. Themed around Ariane’s relationship with her daughter, Better melds Foxbase Alpha-era Saint Etienne grooves with Asian beats - upbeat melodies throughout often acting as a counterpoint to heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics. The hope-filled Kaleidoscope and uplifting Miracle are among the album’s many highlights.’
EMMA WALSH