Multi platinum singer Allie X has announced a headline gig at The Academy in Dublin on Sunday, May 26.

X, born as Alexandra Hughes, has just released her fourth album, Girl With No Face which explores her identity as an artist who spent three years in isolation and refused to take input and became the solitary producer, writer and creative voice for the first time in her music career.

When talking about the album X says, “This record documents an intense struggle for power and control – creatively, professionally, mentally and physically. At times, it felt like I was never going to make it out to the other side, that the process itself was going to kill me.”

This album comes as X has returned to the public eye since 2022 when she was hospitalised. The record is inspired by the 80s new wave scene and its analog-leaning songs are a series of stark contradictions while still being full of upbeat alt pop dance tracks.

X comments how, “Instead of following any trends, I just wanted to indulge myself in all my favourite stuff this time. I wanted limitations. No plug-ins. I chose a bass synth, drum machine, string machine and embraced the shortcomings and grittiness of this old temperamental equipment. I also worked with my favourite guitarist George Pimentel to come up with dissonant yet simple parts. The result was something that felt messy, raw, and direct, which was really exciting to me.”

This album was made in collaboration with Justin Meldal-Johnsen. X also creatively directed her campaign and used masks as visual thread for this album. She had artists Miya turnbull and Shalva Nikvashvilli who commissioned custom weaved pieces. She also worked with Yuki Hayashi and Evanie Frasuto to create mask-like hair and makeup.

“The best comparison I can make is intentionally locking yourself in a room and sitting in front of a mirror staring at yourself. When everything is refracted through your lens you get high on the sense of power and control,” X says. “But as you get to know yourself intimately, you see your own ugliness, your limitations, your pain. It’s terrifying and enlightening all at once. A total ego fuck.”

Tickets for her show will go on sale on March 20 at 10 a.m. and will start at €28 and can be found here.