Q&A: Nxdia’s “Cool” Celebrates Sex, Identity and Bilingualism
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY NATALIE D.C. ☆
NXDIA IS UNAFRAID OF THE CASUAL—After releasing their hit debut album I Promise No One’s Watching in June of 2025, London-based Egyptian-Sudanese singer-songwriter Nxdia is back and better than ever with their recently-released single “Cool,” an alt-pop celebration of their queer identity, cultural heritage and newfound self-confidence.
Fun and sexy with an iconic fusion of English and Arabic lyrics, “Cool” is an anthem for those new to the casual dating scene, co-produced with BRIT-nominated producer and songwriter Joe Kearns (Little Mix, Ellie Goulding, Florence + the Machine). As they prepare to go on tour with fellow British singer-songwriter Cat Burns in April, Luna spoke to Nxdia about their musical inspirations, bilingual process, and aspirations for a new year brimming with potential.
Read Luna’s conversation with Nxdia below.
LUNA: Congratulations on the release of your single “Cool”! For readers who are unfamiliar, can you describe this song from your own perspective as songwriter and musician?
NXDIA: Casual sex is so back baby! I don’t think it ever went away to be fair, but the song is me holding up two massive middle fingers to any weirdness—sometimes from my own brain—around pursuing something that feels good with someone who is also super into that. It feels like stepping towards personal freedom. I’m forcing myself to question why there are so many things I didn’t “allow” myself to do. Why should I be ashamed about something that so many of us know we feel? Get sexy, get stupid, communicate, have fun!
LUNA: “Cool” offers a dreamy blend of alt-pop melodies and playful lyrics. What is the origin story behind this single?
NXDIA: I am genuinely so fascinated by the pull of attraction. I always say I don’t have a type, but I think there’s an instant ease and charm some people have naturally that hits me like a mallet—I’m like a moth to a flame. I wrote the song about the cocktail of qualities that I find mesmerising, magnetic and sensual. I wanna celebrate the coolest people around and their siren ways!
LUNA: This single, like your 2025 album I Promise No One’s Watching, fuses English and Arabic in its lyrics. Can you discuss your songwriting process and what this mix of languages means to you as an Egyptian-Sudanese artist?
NXDIA: It’s so vital. I’ve spent my whole life thinking in both English and Arabic, and I just thought, “How can I translate that into music?” Then I realised I didn’t have to translate it.
I start with a stream of consciousness, then I edit it down into everything I actually want to say. I try and force myself to be as transparent as I can be, because it’s such a privilege to be able to be out, proud and super loud, and to be able to sing about casual gay sex in both English and Arabic. I’ve made it my mission to make people feel less alone. It’s so important to have that sense of community and to be reassured that you aren’t the only one who feels a certain way.
LUNA: You’ve described “Cool” as a celebration of being in your “hoe era.” Can you speak more about how your queer identity and dating life influences your music?
NXDIA: I genuinely feel like the lid has been blown off my queerness since I had top surgery. I feel so much more in tune with myself—I actually look like myself now.
I also find myself going with the flow way more, because I know if something is interesting or impactful enough to me then it’ll make it into a song! I love a story, so if something’s fun, weird or kind of f*cked up, most likely I’ll see it out just to see if I can turn it into a song—or at least an experience I can joke about in hindsight.
LUNA: In April, you’ll be going on tour with singer-songwriter Cat Burns. How are you feeling about this incredible milestone in your career and what are some of your artistic/professional goals for the new year?
NXDIA: Cat Burns, sweet angel! I’m SO excited. I can’t wait to go on tour with a bestie. She’s genuinely unreal, crazy talented and so inspiring. I’m so pumped to do these shows, travel around, connect with more of my community and also watch Cat’s show—which I know will be divine.
This year I really wanna get bigger, better and brighter. I’m intertwining my identity much more with the music, digging deeper and letting more people into my world. I want to be free and loud and messy!
LUNA: Finally, what are some pieces of media (music, films, books, etc.) you’ve been drawing inspiration from recently?
NXDIA: There are always so many! I’ve been reading Natives by Akala at the moment and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers—I love the worldbuilding and the assortment of misfits and nomads trying to punch holes in the universe.
Musically, I love Stromae’s Racine Carrée, MARINA’s FROOT and more recent albums like Ashnikko’s Smoochies. I love rage and fighting for personal freedom by any means necessary, so I also find loads of inspiration in films like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and animes like One Piece, Parasyte and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I love love love listening to and watching stuff that inspires me!
