Rina Ellis Interview — [cracked]

“Rina is a character, sure,” she explains, tracing the rim of her cup. “But she’s also the parts of me I’m too scared to say in public. The anger, the lust, the pettiness. I put a distortion pedal on my voice so I can finally say, ‘Yes, you did hurt me, and I’m not okay with it.’”

"LUCID LOSS" drops October 27th. If the singles are any indication, Rina Ellis isn't just an interview subject. She’s the future of what pop music sounds like when it finally stops caring about the rules.

Rina Ellis has been labeled hyperpop , glitchcore , and even digicore . When I ask which label fits, she winces. rina ellis interview

@rinaellis.raw | Spotify Have you listened to Rina Ellis yet? Drop your thoughts on the new single in the comments below!

She reveals that "LUCID LOSS" will feature an acoustic guitar track—a first for her. “No autotune. No distortion. Just me and a room. I’m terrified for people to hear it, but I think that’s how you know it’s real.” “Rina is a character, sure,” she explains, tracing

“Stop optimizing for ‘engagement,’” she says firmly. “I see kids changing their album covers because the contrast ratio wasn’t right for the algorithm. Don’t do that. Your art isn’t a thumbnail. Make something that makes you cry in the car first. Worry about the playlist later.”

Her latest single, "Internet Crush (Delete Later)" is a masterclass in this tension. The chorus is sticky and sweet, but the bridge descends into glitched-out screaming. It’s about the horror of modern dating—swiping, matching, ghosting. I put a distortion pedal on my voice

That track, a hazy blend of 808s and whispered confessions, became the blueprint for her sound. But unlike many viral sensations, Rina isn’t chasing the algorithm. She’s chasing a feeling.