HOWL was a single by alternative pop artist Sasha Atlas originally released in 2023. Now, it’s been re-released as an EP which showcases four different takes on the track.

By Graeme Smith

Sasha is originally from New York City, USA where she spent time working on Wall Street. Now based in Miami, she uses her music to look back at that time and her experiences. Inspired by classic and modern acts such as AURORA, Depeche Mode and Madonna, HOWL tells the story of fighting inner and outer demons to go after and achieve success, and is told very much of Sasha’s perspective as a young woman in a male-dominated industry.

Alongside the EP comes an official music video, directed by Jonny Servais, which sees Sasha give us a sultry and compelling performance in a dystopian, Blade Runner-esque landscape. Expect neon lights, subtle imagery and plenty of shoulder pads.

The EP opens with its original version which starts low and moody before hitting a bass groove. It’s contrasted nicely by Sasha’s soaring, soulful vocals. Together the instrumental and the vocals give us dark pop at its best, with rises, falls, twists and turns in an arrangement that is as accessible as it is challenging.

From there, we get three more versions of the track. A drumless version strips things back and gives plenty of space for Sasha’s voice. The sped up version transforms the track into a dance number while the slowed down version ramps up the moodiness.

Sasha is an artist who simply demands attention with her new EP, and why shouldn’t she? HOWL is a perfectly-constructed pop track, one that bears multiple reinventions without losing its core meaning. Its memorable lyrics will stick with you and Sasha’s authenticity makes her story very relatable.

HOWL was created with the help of producer Konstantin Korsakov. The EP is out now and you can check it out below.