The creative output of Manchester’s Freak Slug – the musical project of multi-disciplinary artist Xenya Genovese – is fuelled by authentic self-expression, a quality also attributable to the city and its residents. Her distinctive debut I Blow Out Big Candles (2024) came after a move back to Manchester from Barcelona. We asked the self-proclaimed “introverted-extrovert/avoidant Leo rising” for some of her favourite songs from fellow Manchester artists.
10. “My Rising Star”, Northside [Chicken Rhythms, 1991]
They are the Manchester band that never made it big but they were going at the same time as all the other 90s bands happening. I just have a really special nostalgic feeling about that because I have memories of my ex-girlfriend and we always used to think of our rising signs and Zodiac.
9. “Sally Cinnamon”, The Stone Roses [The Complete Stone Roses, 1995]
This is just a straight up Banger. It’s an iconic song. What does Sally Cinnamon even mean? Who knows? What is brilliant and a beautiful melody story and I always love a song that’s romantically written about a woman.
8. “Sketch for Summer”, The Durutti Column [The Return of the Durutti Column, 1980]
Yeah, this is again just a brilliant fucking artist from Whalley Range in Manchester that is less well known. He is just truly gifted and I love all of his work.
7. “Vibesman”, Chunky [2019]
This is a current artist that I love. I think he’s great. He’s a rapper from Manchester, just a cool guy who is very loved in the community.
6. “Ask”, The Smiths [The World Won’t Listen, 1987]
I love this song because there’s a deeper meaning to me about being gay and how hard it was in different times to be comfortable with queerness and this song helped me through my struggles with my own queerness.
5. “She’s Electric”, Oasis [(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, 1995]
This reminds me of my own family – like there’s a line that says she’s has a family full of eccentrics. She’s done things I’ve never expected and I relate to that because my Dad’s absolutely crazy and so is my mum and they birthed a child that’s a wild child, so I relate to the song massively.
4. “Piece of Cake”, Freak Slug [I Blow Out Big Candles, 2024]
This is my own track. I thought I might as well include some in here and I love this song because it compares a beautiful man to a piece of cake that looks good but doesn’t taste very good.
3. “Sometimes”, James [Laid, 1993]
What a Banger. This song is so emotional for me because the lyric is “sometimes when I look deep into your eyes I swear I can see your soul” And of course, who can’t relate to such a simple line? It’s truly a moving song and a must listen.
2. “Cavorting”, Courtneers [St Jude, 2008]
Banger! This is all about taking drugs when you’re young and you can’t relate. It’s a classic coming of age story of people on MDMA on the bus home from the club.
1. “Transmission”, Joy Division [Still, 1981]
A moody song that I love to play and my favourite Joy division song by far. I just love the feeling it evokes. It’s just great.
LISTEN HERE (SPOTIFY PLAYLIST)
ABOUT FREAK SLUG
Freak Slug is the project of the Manchester multi-disciplinary artist Xenya Genovese. Her 2020 EP Videos includes the viral hit “Radio” (over 13.5 million Spotify streams), debut album I Blow Out Big Candles (2024) is now available on vinyl as I Blow Out Big Candles (But With A Cherry On Top).
Poetic Justice 
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