XIN LIU is setting the stage for her next album with “STRANGE,” a funk-driven new single that marks the first preview of the Chinese singer, songwriter and producer’s forthcoming project.
The track officially arrived Aug. 5, just days after LIU gave fans an early listen during the Aug. 1 Shenzhen stop of her XANADU 2.0 Tour. Billboard reports that the song blends retro funk influences with live instrumentation and contemporary pop production.
Drums, guitar and bass form the backbone of “STRANGE,” giving the recording a more organic feel while maintaining the polished production associated with modern pop. The song also leans into themes of individuality and creative freedom, presenting uncertainty and unfamiliar territory as opportunities to explore rather than something to avoid.
The release begins a new album cycle for LIU and offers the first indication of where she is taking her sound next. Her decision to introduce “STRANGE” onstage before its digital release also tied the new material directly to her current XANADU 2.0 live era.