With the recent revival of UKG, it's been exciting to witness a diverse array of artists breathing new life into the genre. Among them, Switzerland-based Sensu stands out for drawing inspiration from UKG to create her own spellbinding sound. Sensu initially jumped onto our radar with her remix of NOTI's "Hooked" back in 2022. Since then, she’s not only performed at major shows alongside artists like TIBASKO, Model Man, and Sonnee, but her music has also earned praise from iconic tastemakers like Pete Tong, Danny Howard, Jaguar, DJ Mag, and Mixmag, to name a few.
Over the past few months, Sensu has been unveiling the first few singles from her new body of work Pieces EP and it showcases her diving deeper into a club-orientated sound. The Pieces EP explores the Swiss producer's ability to evoke deep emotion within electronic productions shaped for the dancefloor. Throughout this interview, Sensu opens up about the making of Pieces EP, the challenges that came with it, and much more.
Find Pieces on Spotify / Apple Music / Deezer / TIDAL / Amazon Music
When did it become evident to you and those around you that pursuing a career as an artist was something that was meant for you?
When I realized the feeling that creating evokes in me. Producing music is very inspiring for my life and enriches it on every level. When you realize this, you know it’s not something you just want to do on the side.
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In recent years, your music has increasingly drawn from UK-centric genres. What inspired you to explore UKG, post-dub, and breakbeat more deeply, and what is it about that sound that resonates with and inspires you?
I realized how diverse these genres are and immediately fell in love with the euphoric sounds, massive basslines, and sometimes very emotional melodies. After my first session in London in March 2020, when I created more danceable music for the first time, everything just flowed naturally. I never really plan what I'm going to do next; it just happens. This shift into these genres developed very organically.
How is your artistic project as Sensu received in Switzerland compared to other countries?
In Switzerland, house and techno are well-known (and, of course, other electronic subgenres), but I believe that my current music project isn't fully understood here. However, I find it quite beautiful that, at the beginning of my career as Sensu, when the music was still very experimental, it resonated with people, and I was even nominated for a Swiss Music Award. Furthermore, I've had the opportunity (and hopefully will continue to have it ;)) to play at many large, highly renowned festivals. This is not a given, considering that my music doesn't have a place in the mainstream world here.
What life events or experiences influenced your creative process while you were working on Pieces EP?
Above all, many very different interactions with people. Due to my 9-to-5 job, performances in Switzerland and London, travel, etc., I'm constantly moving between different worlds, which I love. Time and again (and also through certain experiences), you realize that everyone sees the world differently, and our experiences are unique to each of us. Our experiences and perceptions are deeply personal. This diversity in perception highlights how important it is not to compare ourselves to others. Different perspectives can reveal aspects of life that might otherwise remain hidden. Ultimately, we only understand parts of what others experience.
In which ways does the visual theme of the artworks contribute to the narrative you're presenting on the EP?
In general, I like it when viewing an artwork or visual evokes a feeling in someone. Any kind of feeling. Style, color, and photography are always a matter of taste, but I love it when you can sense that there is more to it.
The productions on this project feel punchier than some Sensu releases. How was your creative process going into the making of this EP different from before?
I think even with my last EP, "AM___PM," you could hear that my music had become a bit more club-oriented. As mentioned, this development happened quite naturally. Honestly, I just have a lot of fun making these songs. They have a deepness to them, are danceable, and either make you want to dance or let yourself sink into your own world of thoughts.
Did you face any challenges during the making of Pieces EP?
When I began trying to write new songs, I experienced a significant writer's block. This was evident in the early demos, which felt constrained and less free.
I learned to take a step back, produce with a clear mind, and find ways to reduce the pressure. When I produced the demo for "Freeze" on a snowy Thursday, I felt that I had overcome the worst part of my writer's block and could start creating freely again. The entire process was very educational, but not always easy.
What do you hope people will pay close attention to when they dive into this EP experience?
It's not necessarily important to me that they focus on the production aspects or notice details that are significant to me. What matters to me is that they feel the music and that it evokes emotions within them.
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