Helena Gao Unveils 'Pretty Please': A Sensual Prelude to 'Mirth n Matter'
- by Adam Bailey
- in Latest
Helena Gao, a Danish-Chinese artist with a sound that defies easy classification, presents her latest single, 'Pretty Please,' as a captivating introduction to a global audience. This single serves as a sneak peek of her forthcoming EP, 'Mirth n Matter,' set for release on November 26th. Helena Gao has already garnered early acclaim in Denmark, earning placements on Spotify playlists like New Music Friday and EQUAL, as well as a featured artist profile from influential tastemakers at Soundvenue.
Listen to 'Pretty Please' and watch the mesmerizing visualizer below.
'Pretty Please' boasts a sleek and seductive alt-pop sound, driven by the enchanting allure of Helena's voice. Its pulsating, rhythmic production elevates the sensuality of the song's vibes, and its lyrics dive deeper than mere innuendo.
In Helena's own words, "‘Pretty Please’ was made, after I was sent an instrumental from my collaborator Malthe. I thought it had a liberating feel to it, almost like going to the club underwater, and it made me wanna make a sensual song to go with it. I’m a bit of a prude, and I’m overly aware of the fact that my parents will hear whatever lyrics I write. So I decided that this song should be about sex, but without mentioning anything explicit at all. So it’s basically a whole song of pussyfooting around. It kinda reminds me of those jokes hidden in children’s media made for adults."
She co-wrote the song with the track's producer, Nature Boy, known for his work with artists like Okay Kaya and Absolutely.
'Pretty Please' will be a part of the upcoming 'Mirth n Matter' EP, alongside two of Helena's recent releases: the K-Pop-influenced 'God's Favourite' and the dreamy, ambient balladry of 'The Talk.' The EP is completed by two unreleased tracks, showcasing a significant evolution in Helena's sound compared to her previous EP, 'Extended Adolescence,' which was characterized by growing pains and a concise 8-minute duration.
Helena, based in Copenhagen, has a unique background, being raised by a Chinese mother and a father from Viborg. With a classical jazz upbringing, her love for music deepened in her teenage years as she discovered the art of music production. Radiohead's unconventional approach to music and their history as outsiders seeking refuge in creativity played a pivotal role in inspiring her artistry. Helena, like Radiohead, uses music to express complex emotions and strives to create music that can appeal to a broad audience while experimenting with innovative ideas.
She pursued her music education at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, where she learned from and collaborated with notable figures like Courtesy, ML Buch, and Nina Persson of The Cardigans. Helena's forward-thinking pop is a testament to her accomplished musicianship, and she skillfully merges her musical prowess with her creative vision.
Her lyrics offer unique perspectives on common themes. For instance, 'Cybergirl' explores the act of snooping on someone through their social media accounts, while 'God's Favourite' takes a subtle jab at the vanity of certain influencers.
