Anabel Englund Drops Smoldering And Sultry Debut Album ‘Messing With Magic’

Anabel Englund has been stunning audiences with her smoldering and sultry sound, and today (Dec. 11) she does it again with the release of her debut album, Messing With Magic. The 10-track body of work is smokey, sexy, playful, upbeat and showcases Englund’s range as an artist as it boasts everything from house heaters to Englund playing the piano while harmonizing enchanting vocals.  

“This album is about hope, love and connection. And it’s about being mystical, playful, exploring and being safe to explore,” the singer, musician, DJ and songwriter says. “To me, magic is having hope that there is a better life, that there is the ability to be a better human, trusting in that and being that. Then evolving into that and seeing the results of that. So to me, it’s like messing with the highest power within yourself.” 

Messing With Magic features collaborations with Jamie Jones, Lee Foss and MK, all of whom Englund has worked with extensively in the past individually and as part of supergroups Hot Natured and Pleasure State. Englund and MK’s collaboration “Underwater” showcases effervescent production with shimmering vocals, while “Warm Disco,” created with Foss, features pulsing beats, 1980s influenced synths and Englund captivating singing.  The album’s title track, crafted with Jones, takes a different approach: It transcends from dark and deep to upbeat and mystifying. “I feel like it would only make sense that my first album has Jamie Jones, Lee Foss and MK—the people I started my house music career with,” Englund notes. 

The Southern California native began her music career at a young age as she was born into a musical family. She began training in classical vocals and piano as a child before later discovering house music after she moved from the suburbs to Los Angeles when she was 18-years-old. She says she fell into the Hollywood scene and was captivated by the music, particularly music coming off of Jones and Foss’ joint label, Hot Creations. Englund recalls the moment she knew she wanted to become part of the house scene: She was driving to Santa Monica Community College, where she was attending school, and listening to a CD a friend made for her showcasing the popular records of the time. A track featuring a singer came on and Englund thought, “If this song is one of the hottest records, I know I can do this and I can do it better.” Not long after did she begin meeting people who worked in the industry, thus launching her career. 

Looking back to when she first started making music, Englund says if she could give herself one piece of advice it would be “don’t let these men push you around.” 

“I think I was just so young, and even still I have difficulty believing that what I’m saying is worth it enough to even say, which sounds bad but I’ve had to learn through this time to find my voice,” she says. Englund adds she let people take advantage of her early on in her career, because she believed them when they said they were looking out for her when in reality they weren’t. She says this was a lesson she had to learn as a young woman entering the industry, along with not relying on her looks in order to gain respect and survive in a male dominated industry—something she believes women are taught to do at a young age.

“At that time it was like, I know I can manipulate people because I’m a female and I have a hot body. And I know that if I’m sexy, then they’re going to pay attention to me,” she says. “That’s not how I live my life anymore. I think that was something that when I was 18, 19, 20, it was the only way I knew how to be seen and heard because I didn’t have a chance to prove myself in songwriting or as a musician. So it was like, well if I wear tight clothes I’ll get attention this way if I do this. I have to give myself props, because I was doing what I needed to do in order to work my way up the chain—is what I thought. Now because I have that respect, I don’t feel like I need to exploit myself as much as I did.” 

Englund says now she utilizes her art and what she has to offer to gain the respect she deserves, adding that when she does dress more provocatively—as she does in her music video for “Underwater”—it’s done from a place of self-empowerment. “It’s not like I’m being sexy because I feel like I need to for people to see me,” she adds. “It’s being sexy because I want to, and this is what I feel good in.”

In addition to being known for her music, Englund is also recognized for her eccentric and bold style. The multi-instrumentalist says she gravitates towards colorful and mismatched items that are comfortable and make her feel good. Her outfits consist of everything from a flea market find, to an item from the kid’s section at Target and high-end fashion. “I like mismatching expensive pieces with pieces that cost $5,” she says. “I like doing both. I’ve never been one of those people who go head to toe in name brands.” 

Looking forward, Englund says she is ready to embark on the next stage in her career: pop-focused music. “With that will come music videos, a whole different live show with a band, photoshoots and all the things,” Englund says. “I think I’ll always stay in the dance world to some degree or another with remixes and stuff like that, but it truly will be the next chapter of my career.”

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