Zanias can be heard on the following platforms:
For further information on her discography:
[2024] Ecdysis
In the follow-up to 2023’s ‘Chrysalis’, Zanias returns with ‘Ecdysis’, which travels even further into alternate dimensions, casting off all language and song structures in favour of something far more alien and sensual. Named after the final stage of emergence from a former self, ‘Ecdysis’ lays claim to an entirely new electronic soundscape influenced by the ethereal pioneering of Dead Can Dance, Enya and Fever Ray. Zanias’s voice morphs deftly between species and gender, exemplifying the oneness of conscious experience evoked by the more extreme psychedelic states, while the atmosphere is headily influenced by the Queensland rainforest where much of the recording took place, conjuring an environment rich with biodiversity. The creation of the album itself became a deeply healing process for its producer, and it is designed to function the same way for its listeners. Best enjoyed on headphones in total darkness.
Released February 16, 2024
All tracks written and produced by Alison Lewis at Floodland Studio, Chevallum and Fleisch HQ, Berlin
Mixed by Ewan Kay
Mastered by Alain Paul
Artwork by Nat Soba and Hidrico Rubens
[2023] Chrysalis
The creation of ‘Chrysalis’ was a retreat from a seemingly endless string of unfortunate events, a cocoon from which Zanias could weave hope from hopelessness. In each of its eight songs she has engineered unique worlds to express alternate facets of the modern human experience, from burnout and the toxicity of capitalism to processing death and the inherent isolation of personal trauma.
Written and recorded between Berlin and the rainforest of Queensland, Australia, the sound design of ‘Chrysalis’ reflects the rich biodiversity of the latter environment, where she drew much of her inspiration. Her voice shifts and morphs into ghostly, alien forms between catchy hooks that plant this album firmly in the ‘pop’ genre, without losing the underground rawness and lyrical depth for which she is known.
With her third full-length album, Zanias is expressing her truest form thus far, fusing her seemingly discordant influences into a genre-defying electronic artpop, as dark and evocative as it is ethereal and uplifting.
Released May 1, 2023
All tracks written and produced by Alison Lewis
Bass guitar on ‘Lovelife’ by Laura Bailey
Mixed by Ewan Kay
Mastered by Alain Paul
Photography and artwork by Hidrico Rubens
Sigil by Nat Soba
Design and layout by Alison Lewis
Makeup by Eavan Derbyshire
[2021] Unearthed
With her second full-length album, Zanias condenses her post-punk, techno and italo influences into a collection of simultaneously brooding and uplifting pop songs. ‘Unearthed’ explores the multiplicities of human connections, written at a time when connectedness was a resource more scarce than ever before. Field recordings from nature, vocal samples and an array of acoustic instruments are manipulated within a structure of catchy melodic synth maneuvers and driving rhythms, accompanied by her familiar and powerful voice conveying personal musings on hopeless desires and stoic acceptance. ‘Unearthed’ seeks the light and finds it within the exquisite pain of reckoning loneliness.
Released September 6, 2020
All tracks written and produced by Alison Lewis at Fleisch HQ, Berlin
Bass guitar on ‘Undreamt’ by Laura Bailey
Mixed by Gian at Dadub Studio
Mastered by Daniele at Dadub Studio
Photography, artwork and design by Sergey Skip
[2020] Extinction
Co-founder and label custodian Zanias makes her debut on Fleisch with a journey through climate catastrophe. Composed in Berlin and mixed in Queensland with the smell of bushfire smoke in the air, she addresses the primary anxiety of our time with four tracks designed to draw the body into movement and the mind into action. Body music elements are wrought with mournful melodies and studded with samples recorded from the fast-disappearing natural world, while her voice guides the way through the darkness.
Released March 23, 2020
All tracks written and produced by Alison Lewis at Fleisch HQ, Berlin
‘Endling’ co-written with Alex Akers at Blak Studios, Perth
Photography by Dovile Shurpo and Alison Lewis
Mastered by Alain Paul
[2020] Harmaline
From a state of psychedelic-induced ego death, through painful revelations and onward into a realm of new desires, these four very personal tracks are the direct result of the artist's own therapeutic process of self-exploration and expression undertaken during a tumultuous year of change. Utilising decidedly minimal instrumentation as the backdrop to the emotional weight of the voice and words, each song represents an individual step within an exhausting but ultimately affirmative transformation.
Released March 16, 2020
All tracks written and produced by Alison Lewis at Fleisch HQ, Berlin & Floodland Studio, Chevallum
Mastered by Alain Paul
Cover photography by Jessica Lewis
[2018] Into the All
Zanias has been hard at work over the years as part of many projects including the Dark Entries affiliated Linea Aspera and minimal wave band Keluar with Sid Lamar. Since then, she has been curating Fleisch, a club series and record label releasing music from the likes of Schwefelgelb, Forces and Kontravoid.
As a solo artist, she has released her debut EP ‘To The Core’ in 2016 and has been collaborating with some of electronic music’s most respected figures. Appearing on Dax J’s critically acclaimed ‘Offending Public Morality’ LP, as well as providing vocals on Black Rain’s ‘Dark Pool’ album on Blackest Ever Black and working with Ancient Methods on last year’s ‘Andromeda’ which was released on Candela Rising.
‘Into The All’ is the culmination of extensive recording and experimentation. It charts a journey of psychospiritual evolution, from an unconscious state through to death and enlightenment. Inspired by the works of Ken Wilber and Yuval Noah Harari, it expresses both a personal journey and one that applies to all of humanity. Utilising field recordings of birds, gibbons and insects from Malaysia and Australia, and samples of instruments from Indonesia (a reference to her childhood spent there), Armenia and ancient Norway and Sumeria, alongside synthesisers and drum machines.
Released December 3, 2018
Written and produced by Alison Lewis & Alex Akers
Mastered by Alain Paul
'Thanatos' featuring vocals by Lynette Cerezo of Bestial Mouths
Cover photography by Andras Varga
With thanks to Eavan Derbyshire and Katrina Sjöstrand
[2016] To the Core
‘To the Core' is Zanias' debut EP, co-produced with Alex Akers of Forces between the endless grey expanse of Berlin and the oceanside retreat of Anglesea in Victoria, Australia. Fusing the ethereal power of Zanias' voice with Akers' penchant for body music energy, ‘To the Core' charts a course of deep self-reflection through cycles of emotional abuse and psychedelic exploration.
Released September 1, 2016
Written and produced by Alison Lewis and Alex Akers
Mixed by Alex Akers
Digital edition mastered by Matt Colton
Vinyl re-issue mastered by Alain Paul
Cover layout and design by Alison Lewis
Photography by Catherine Yule