Noga Erez Steps Into Her Power

In comes THE VANDALIST, Erez’s third album and first on a major label. Always the boundary pusher, she tackles themes of society in unrest and anger toward certain aspects of the human condition but does so through her signature whimsical and unforgiving sonic lens. Erez has never been one to be put in a box musically, and on this record that comes through more than ever with its unique blend of Alt-Pop, Hip-Hop, and electronic.

The key here is her vocal inflection and lyrics, though. It doesn’t take much to notice that Erez is an artist who has something to say, and she does so in a way that makes you want to bump her voice loudly in your car speeding down the highway.

We sat down with the artist to discuss her point-of-view, being canceled, and evolution as an artist in the modern age.

Yeah

Tell me about the “GODMOTHER” video. What was the vision behind it?

"GODMOTHER" is a classic last minute video, meaning, we’ve done it after we spent all our video budget. These videos tend to be simple and that’s what I love about them. Eden [Ben Zaken] and I come from very different musical and cultural backgrounds. I thought that putting us together in the same frame to show our dynamic would make for an interesting visual. We’ve added some references to mob movies and there you go.

You’ve said that “Vandalist” was a sort of middle finger to the world. What state were you in when you wrote it, and are those emotions still around?

I mean, not to the entire world, but to the world when it tends to act in a way that I find hypocritical, unfair and just shitty. I love the world, and I love this life that I get to live. And in many ways I've made peace with the things I can’t control. But yeah, that feeling still comes crawling back when reality is truly fucked up around me. I’ve seen shit go down in my life, in the past year more than I've ever imagined to witness. One important defense mechanism is that fuck you mode. If those are the rules the world is playing by right now, I’m not part of the game.

Was there a specific situation that inspired “PC People”? And do you think the world at large is gradually moving away from “PC culture”?

I’ve always looked at myself as part of the “liberal” “woke” camp. But something started to feel uncomfortable when I experienced what it is to be on the other side of this war for justice. I was canceled once in my home country, for something I said that was taken out of context, and many times things that people think I said or meant are taken way out of context and blown out of proportion. What started bothering me is that I've noticed that sometimes the only way for some people to show their values and ideas, is to do so by attacking someone else's alleged opinions.

I believe there is no healthy society without an authentic exchange of thoughts and ideas. One that allows that beautiful diversity to take place. Just mentioning the obvious here, we should all be careful, thoughtful and sensitive when expressing our thoughts. But sometimes I think that PC culture has taken away that exact ability from us to be nuanced. To actually have a conversation and opportunity lay down our inner world without being immediately judged and scared to lose our livelihood or security.

A lot of the tracks on this album have a strong point of view on society and its problems. Have you always leaned toward critiquing humans/the world in your work? Where do you think this comes from?

I mean, no. I don't live my life critiquing other humans. It’s not my thing. But the music that excites me is many times one that tackles those issues. If I have something to say, I’d really rather do it there than on my socials. I’d rather it be art, personal. And not a take away message that I share randomly.

How does THE VANDALIST mark a departure or evolution from your last album?

I think [producer Ori Rousso] and I both allowed ourselves a little more freedom here to explore things both lyrically and sonically. A little less seriousness involved. We’ve learned that the things we say in a song don’t have to be what we are about or what we mean all the time. It can just be a moment in time and we can feel a different way the next day, but still have a song we like.

What artists directly inspired you growing up, and who are you currently really into?

Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Frank Siantra and many many more. The last track of THE VANDALIST shows a full list of the people who inspire and inspired me in all fields: music, film, sports, comedy. Check it out!

Anything else you want to say to PAPER readers and your fans across the world?

I wanna wish every single one of you the best life, full of love, kindness, joy and compassion.

Photography: Dudi Hasson, Shai Franco