Considering the fact that ZORA’s new album chronicles her experiences with all forms of abuse as a Black trans woman—not to mention the fact that she cites Abel Ferrara’s gnarly rape-and-revenge thriller Ms. 45 as an influence—you might not expect to hear something as smooth, upbeat, and downright fun as BELLAdonna undeniably is when you hit play. Following on the heels of the record’s pop-rap proper opener “The Bitch Is Back” and the clubbier yet still shit-talking “Fastlane” (both originally released in 2023, shortly after ZORA’s debut album Z1 dropped the year prior), the album’s 14 additional tracks explore plenty of territory within these two genre poles without ever devolving into rage-rap or horrorcore.
And while BELLAdonna tells its own story via an overarching narrative centered around its vengeful superhero title figure, ZORA took the time to walk us through the eclectic sonic structure of this set of songs. While shouts out to Flo Milli, SOPHIE, and Slayyyter may not surprise listeners, ZORA also reaches back to cite Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson (a.k.a. “Mother Janet”), and Tears for Fears as influences, not to mention the soundtrack to at least one generation’s stress dreams: Mario Kart’s score for the “Rainbow Road” course.
BELLAdonna is out this Friday via Get Better Records, but for now you can pregame your first listen with the influences playlist ZORA put together for us. You can also pre-save the LP here.
ABRA feat. Playboi Carti, “Unlock It”
This is one of my fav songs by ABRA. This was really the track that inspired “The Bitch is Back.” I love the way that she slides on the beat, and Playboi comes in with his verse, as well. I knew I wanted to have that singer/silky vocal combined with a super dope rapper (Destiny Spike!).
Slayyyter, “Alone”
This was really the track that inspired “Videogurl.” I started listening to Slayyyter in 2019, and started on estrogen shortly after. This was the first single I heard from her. I loved how hyper it feels like everything is, even her singing. It all sounds sped up and cunty and distorted and I love it.
“Rainbow Road” (Mario Kart 7 Version)
This song is really the backbone of the story behind “Fastlane.” I was chilling, playing my 3DS at home, FaceTiming a friend on Mario Kart multiplayer, and it inspired me to write a silly little drum ’n’ bass type beat, inspired by a falling out I had between a dear enemy. I spun it in a playful way, though.
SOPHIE, “Ponyboy”
Anyone who knows me knows how much I look up to the legendary and iconic SOPHIE. I wanted to tap into my harder, more aggressive side of production for this album, so I really listened to and studied some of SOPHIE’s records—this one in particular. You can really hear the inspo on songs like “Ghost” and “Videogurl.”
Flo Milli, “Never Lose Me”
I don't play about Flo Milli. This is one of the pop-R&B/hip-hop songs that really influenced the story and sound behind my song “Hush.” I knew I wanted to create a smooth-sounding hip-hop track that really focused on its R&B elements, as well. And the way that Flo Milli talks so explicitly but smoothly on that track as well...that was really inspiring to me.
Tyler, the Creator, “Puppet”
Tyler, the Creator’s album IGOR changed my life, truly. This song in particular was a huge inspiration for my song “Luv Letters 2 My Stink.” I wanted the song to sound almost like a sample, even though it's all original. With this song, Tyler raps over an old funk sample. What I did was essentially write a funk song on guitar and piano/drums, and then I looped the song that I wrote there, re-sampled it as a loop, then rapped on it to give it that “sample” sound.
Tears for Fears, “Mad World”
I’ve been such a fan of Tears for Fears since I was a baby—specifically listening to this song, as well as “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” I was inspired by the vocal interpolation here on top of the chords, during the chorus especially. It’s so haunting and mysterious-sounding, and it leaves you wanting more, infinitely. That was the same feeling that I wanted to emulate for the vocal parts in “Bodies in My Room.” That same haunting, harrowing feeling, but then spun onto two minor chords, instead of going up to the IV major.
Stevie Wonder, “Send One Your Love”
Stevie Wonder is, I would say, in the top three of my biggest musical inspirations. The way that he moves through music moves me and everyone who listens to him. I cry when I think of Stevie Wonder. We actually met when I was a baby, but he doesn't remember. Anyway, this is one of my favorite songs/interludes by him. I drew from this as I composed “The Ballad of Belladonna.” I wanted to tap into that longing, provoking, yearning sound that’s very present in this song, as well as the whole album of The Secret Life of Plants.
Frank Ocean, “Skyline To”
Frank Ocean chewed me up and spit me out and ruined me when he released Blonde. The entire album is pretty much a heavy hitter, but I’d say that “Skyline To” is one of my favorite songs on this album. The way it resolves to a flat II major chord, instead of going to the V dominant, just ruins me every time. I can't stop crying. Ugh. This was the major inspiration behind the song “-Ice Castle Magic-” on part II of BELLAdonna.
Caroline Polachek, “Door”
Yet another major musical inspiration for me is Caroline Polachek. The way that she uses her melodic interpretation takes me to musical places that I didn’t know people could even go. Her album Pang found me at a very important time in my life—I needed to hear it. “Door,” specifically, ruins me every time I hear it. It’s just so, so good, and was the leading inspiration for my song “Tinytown.” I love Caroline’s music.
Billie Eilish, “Goodbye”
Let me tell you something. Billie Eilish is a writer. What she did on When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, on that ending song where she combines all the songs together? Immaculate. I knew that I wanted to do something similar to that with one of my projects. It was the lead inspiration behind my song “Bye... for Now ;).” I wanted to evoke that same haunting, toybox vocal sound.
Janet Jackson, “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)”
I don’t play about Mother Janet. She’s the main inspiration behind my reasons I want to be a pop girl. She is everything, always, the moment, forever. Specifically on her album Control, she talks about regaining control of her narrative, and talks about things that she previously wasn’t really able to. This song also evokes a feeling of calmness and stability, while she (respectfully) talks her shit over the beat! I drew from that same sonic expression when it came to making songs like “Midnighmadness” and “Turn Me Out/Sick Sex.” She is one of my musical idols.
