Lucinda Chua – Antidotes 2

Lucinda Chua is a multi-instrumentalist who weaves ambient, emotionally charged songs using an array of effects, instruments and her own, clear voice. Recently signed to 4AD, Chua is a confident songwriter, and her varied instrumentation creates a sonic environment that her vocals inhabit like a home. Antidotes 2, her recently released EP, is a four-track outing that demonstrates her maturation from the 2019 venture, Antidotes 1.

The music is contemplative: shimmering effects twist through soundscapes, and the strings swell as her lyrics tell stories. She does not rush but her vocals impel forward motion, not allowing the music to simmer without direction. The songs are sparse in composition, but you’re not left wanting. The opening track ‘Until I Fall’ is patient, the lyrics repeat and build an environment and mood that feels very personal. Chua is almost whispering as she sings, and the huskiness in her voice compliments the minor piano chords that resonate heavily.

Chua’s music, especially the second track ‘Avalanches’, is reminiscent of the film scores done by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. There is a lovely air of contemplation in the EP. It is gentle in its mournfulness. Taught music by ear from the age of three using the Suzuki method (essentially teaching music as a native language), Chua’s musical fluency is clear. The crispness of the production shows a great attention to detail and each song is a product of meticulous and considerate composition.

Antidotes 2 has been released with an intimate and stripped back music video for ‘Torch Song’, a one-shot video featuring just Lucinda Chua and a piano. She is garbed in a black satin jacket adorned with traditional East Asian iconography, embroidered herself over a nine-month period during lockdown. Chua lost herself in learning the art of sewing, using the art to reaffirm her heritage and identity. It was a period of deep introspection for her, the isolation in lockdown coupled with racism in the music industry left her with the hurt of “feel[ing] like people don’t see me”.

People will be seeing her now, as this EP marks a confident foray back into the musical world.

Lucinda Chua
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Image: Nhu Xuan Hua