A CONVERSATION WITH... 4RA 4RA
4ra 4ra’s, CHROMEsoME, comes in loud and shiny, basically yelling “upgrade your life!”. But then kinda side-eyes you like, “okay… but what did you give up for it?” It’s dripping in chrome and gloss, almost to the point of overload, with production that feels like a machine overheating mid-flex. Flashy? Absolutely. But somewhere in all that polish, you start wondering where the soul slipped off to.
CHROMESOME feels like a full audiovisual world rather than a traditional EP. What inspired you to create an experience that blends music, visuals, and performance so seamlessly?
Because just releasing music felt incomplete. I wanted people to enter it, not just listen to it. My background in painting and visuals made me think in worlds, so everything had to connect. It's basically one system for me.
The EP explores identity in a “hyper-technological age.” How do you define identity in the context of your work?
Identity isn’t fixed for me; it’s something I constantly mutate through the worlds I build.
Chrome imagery recurs throughout the EP. What does chrome symbolise for you: protection, power, transformation, or something else entirely?
Chrome is perfection—but dead. Too smooth, too reflective, no soul. It’s about becoming untouchable, optimised, almost god-like, but at the cost of anything messy or human. Sometimes, we have to be exactly like this to get someone’s attention, to step out of our comfort zones, or to stand up for ourselves. For me, it’s like an invisible shield we put on every day to face this reality. It should awaken the inner power of listeners.
How did your approach to storytelling evolve when translating conceptual ideas into music?
I had the whole package concept in mind from the very start, but as a detail-oriented person, I like to dive into it, find symbolism in every small part, and connect it all later then.
‘CHROME UP’ opens the EP with a cyberpunk ritual. Can you walk us through the creative process behind that track?
A lot of it came from layering aggressive bass with synthetic textures that feel almost mechanical; everything sounds half-human, half-machine. It all came to my mind from that specific bass layer in the drop, and its metallic sounds reminded me of chroming up. Then the idea for the whole EP was born—I saw the entire vision in that moment.
The title track, ‘CHROMEsoME’ fuses techno-phonk with introspection. How did you balance energy and menace while exploring human-synthetic relationships?
The energy is loud, almost unstable, like it’s on the edge of overheating, while the introspection sits underneath it like a glitching voice trying to stay conscious. Human and synthetic blur because everything feels a bit too intense, a bit too unhinged, like the system is thinking too fast and starting to lose itself inside its own signal.
In ‘MUGSHOT TYPE,’ DIGITAL TEETH adds a sharp, glitchy texture. How did this collaboration shape the EP's narrative?
I think our collab created a uniquely amazing blend of hyperpop, electro metal, and techno with a rebellious attitude for the EP. DIGITAL TEETH is a fire partner in crime.
‘AGI’ closes the EP with AI-generated vocals. What role does AI play in your creative process, and how do you see it shaping the future of music?
I like experimenting with new technologies, and the concept of Artificial General Intelligence as a ‘mother’ for future generations felt like a natural fit. I used it to develop my own vocal AI clone, which I trained to be emotional, and created a text-to-speech version that finally lets me speak in languages I don’t actually speak. I see AI as a powerful tool—if you curate it and build on it as part of your own work. But I’m not a fan of fully AI-generated songs or art. Even if someone is a great prompt designer, it still feels like borrowing—or even stealing—from others’ work. I think there should be clearer regulations and visible labels for fully AI-generated music. The way streaming platforms are training AI on real artists’ catalogues honestly worries me, and it’s not something I support.
Your EP interrogates the boundary between human and machine. Do you see this as a cautionary tale, an exploration, or both?
Both. I’m very open to xy possibilities.
There’s a tactile quality to the music; it feels alive, almost sculpting the listener. How do you approach creating sound that’s immersive in this way?
I experiment a lot, and I’m a big fan of using cinematic-sounding elements. I love alternating satisfying frequencies with truly uncomfortable ones to guide the listener through a spectrum of shifting emotions—from joy to bursts of aggression. It might feel chaotic to some, but I found myself in this kind of overstimulating presentation.
Humour and defiance appear in tracks like ‘MUGSHOT TYPE.’ How do you balance playfulness with the EP’s darker, cyberpunk themes?
When I’m really fucked up, sadness doesn’t help me; it pulls me deeper into a depressive loop. On the other hand, being sarcastic or playful about bad moods works better for me to overcome them. We’re already living in a kind of digital dystopia right now, which is why we enjoy meme content and don’t take things too seriously; we’d probably go crazy from it. And simply put, this is the copying mechanism I like to use in my art.
How do your live performances expand or reinterpret the CHROMEsoME experience?
I’m preparing the show right now, and it’s expanding with choreography, my own VJ visuals and a big time energy which powers everyone in the audience.
For listeners who are experiencing the EP purely as audio, what do you hope they take away compared to those seeing the full audiovisual performance?
Curiosity. If they have it, they’ll check out the full package later on.
Looking back, how has your perspective on identity, technology, and music evolved during the creation of this EP?
As a fluid digital artist facing the challenges of rapidly evolving AI, it has had a big impact on me. Technology is accelerating fast, and even though I’m the type who loves to experiment with new tools, it’s not easy to keep up with the pace of today’s developments, and that is exactly what I realised during the creation of CHROMEsoME.
Beyond CHROMEsoME, what directions or explorations are you most excited to pursue next?
I remixed the whole EP into a harder techno style, which I’ll be releasing gradually this summer. And I’m currently brainstorming the new 4ra 4ra era, while taking singing and dancing lessons to expand my craft.
Editorial Note
Square One Magazine does not condone or support the use of Artificial Intelligence. Our primary focus is on providing a platform for artists to connect with their fans and share their creative journeys. The views expressed in this interview are the artist’s own and do not reflect the values of this magazine.
