Seattle Alternative Electro-Soul artist Fem du lit have dropped their debut album “’Stigmata’” on Friday, February 28th. The album examines the stigma of queerness in the African diaspora and the ruptures in family relationships that ensue. The story arc takes the listener on a journey, from the joys of family, to defiant romances, domestic abuse, and patrilineal heartbreak. Titled using the latin etymology, ‘Stigmata’ juxtaposes religious and occult motifs interwoven throughout the 13-song full-length debut.
With vocals resembling Anita Baker and Kadhja Bonet, the album showcases Fem du lit’s bilingual lyricism. Their afro-futuristic spin on production adds to the elemental feeling of a spiral decoding inherited trauma. “Pour la fin du temps”–music for the end times, this apocalyptic compilation of songs ties together heavy political topics with hypnotic, psychedelic instrumentation to soothe the soul in the face of environmental catastrophe. “End of days, terror on the masses, luxury for some, warmth of your hum pollinates my lungs. Honey-glazed onions remedies my soul, remedies my soul. Cataclysmic love heals harm from above.” ‘Stigmata’ includes four already-released singles: “BANKRUPT”, “COLD COLD WORLD”, “LILYJAM” and “DEAD MAMA”.
Behind Fem du lit’s compelling artistry is Francesca Eluhu, a visionary Seattle-based singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Their artist name, meaning “woman of the bed,” evokes the indictment of femininity embodied in haunted spirits, comfort, shelter and sensuality. Of French and Congolese descent, Eluhu pulls inspiration from their Afro-diasporic heritage while weaving in eclectic influences like Mereba, Liv.e, and Salami Rose Joe Louis.
Known for fronting Seattle’s psychedelic neo-soul band, Day Soul Exquisite, FEM du lit’s solo project ventures boldly into an electro-soul realm, showcasing their genre-defying sound. This debut album features instrumentalists Thomas Arndt, Xiomara Mills-DuPree, Josh Pehrson, Zora Seboulisa, Lily M Tahar, Liu Wenbao, and a feature from rap artist Da Qween. STIGMATA is to be released on Eluhu’s independent record label, La fem records on February 28th, 2025.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://linktr.ee/femdulit
https://femdulit.com/
https://www.instagram.com/femdulit/
https://femdulit.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/femdulit
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fem-du-lit
https://www.youtube.com/@FEMdulit
