Ariane X’s debut solo pop album Better is being reissued soon with two new 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 very personal lyrics reflect Ariane’s own life experiences, on such themes as unconditional love, motherhood, parental separation, mental illness, suicidal ideation and domestic violence.

Guitar on the tracks ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘Not Normal’ is by Dave Dexter; remixes of ‘When I Was Your Age’ and ‘Kaleidoscope’ by DonQuibeats aka Stuart Bruce; vocal tuning on all tracks by Brandon Nitta; mixing and mastering on all tracks by Max at 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 melodic songs and sweet vocals 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, where she attended primary school with Zadie Smith and Ben Bailey-Smith. She is a successful writer, mainly of television shows, non-fiction books, and numerous 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 reissue of her debut album Better contains 12 tracks, all letters to her daughter, who is now aged 15.

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