Canadian powerhouse Xana confronts her failures in new single, “Monster”

Today, Vancouver-based rising pop artist Xana reflects on her past mistakes with “Monster,” a brutally honest exploration of the artist’s worst decisions and selfish behavior, out everywhere now. In this recognition of her own missteps, Xana finds relief in taking accountability and learns to grow. 

The building, melodic “Monster” recounts Xana’s most unsavory moments as it daringly unfolds with a list of some of her regrets and ultimately sees the artist takes responsibility for her actions.

Xana says it’s one of her favorite songs she’s ever written, and explains, “I wrote this song at a time where I was forced to look my mistakes square in the eye and take accountability for the hurt caused by my actions. I had to ask myself questions like “Why do you think your feelings go above the feelings of others? Why are you okay with lying to people who care about you? Why is it impossible for you to apologize? Why are you so defensive and why do you default to throwing punches when you’re hurt?” 

Today’s release is the apt follow-up to the anthemic, rebellious dark-pop/rock track “Homewrecking Era” where she plays a villainous character who falls victim to her own toxic tendencies. If on “Homewrecking Era,” Xana makes a mess, on “Monster,” she cleans it up. “Homewrecking Era” is a shameless, playful exploration of toxicity and sees Xana step into a villainous role. Dripping with her signature seduction, the lyrics–paired with breathy, flirtatious vocals–depict a character who gets what they want, no matter the cost. Xana says the track is the record’s “bratty child,” as it dives into the forbidden pleasures of a toxic love affair one that, Xana states, “becomes the magnetic force that keeps two souls entwined, despite the impending chaos.” Describing its spirited sonic qualities, Xana adds, “The anti-pop-rock soundscape provides the perfect backdrop for this seductive odyssey, with gritty guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and a rebellious energy that mirrors the defiance in the narrator’s moral compass.” 

Xana’s intimate, empowering sophomore album, The Sex Was Good Until It Wasn’t goes where the Canadian artist has never gone before, touching on incredibly personal–and at times traumatic–subject matter. Over fifteen vivid tracks, she puts herself in the driver’s seat, confronting dark truths and deep pain as she learns to process and heal past wounds through shimmering melodies, captivating vocals and candid, clever lyricism. Unbound to a single genre or a particular moment, the album unapologetically builds a heartfelt world that is as explosive and bright as it is profound and dark, providing the necessary space for all–Xana included–to heal. The artist sees this body of work as a refined, fully formed evolution from her past work, in part due to her brutally honest songwriting and the free-flowing trust built with producers Liam Moes and Shane Stephenson. Thrilled to welcome listeners into this new cosmic world, Xana explains, “It’s an album that I’ve been wanting to write for a long time and I went into it knowing exactly what its purpose would be.”

The Sex Was Good Until It Wasn’t is due out May 10 and available for pre-order now.

This summer, Xana will embark on a U.S. tour, The Sex Was Good Tour, to support the new album. The tour will move across the U.S. this June and July beginning on June 1 in Portland, OR, with tickets on sale now via xanaofficial.com/tour, including a stop at Milwaukee’s Summerfest on June 29 where she’s set to perform ahead of FLETCHER. Find a full list of dates below.