Fox Theater

Artemas’ sound is a movement. Elevated by songs like the RIAA-Platinum certified, Top 15 Billboard hit “i like the way you kiss me,” the alt-pop phenom has become a streaming powerhouse with over 3.4 billion global streams.

“I’ve been obsessed with the idea of trying to define what my sound is,” the 25-year-old says. “I think there’s a real common theme in my music, lyrically and sonically.”

One jetlagged night, he realized what he needed to call his sound as well as his third mixtape: LOVERCORE.

“It just felt really right,” he says. In finding a name, he found a subgenre that encapsulates what he’s become known for: sexy, dark, atmospheric synthpop that captures his innermost thoughts on desire, yearning and heartbreak. “I haven’t been able to think about calling it anything else.”

Artemas began honing in on what LOVERCORE would be early summer, as he began wrapping up his live shows in support of his 2024 mixtapes pretty and yustyna. He re-entered the studio with his collaborative partner Toby Daintree and began putting together a new collection of songs that sharpen his dark wave sensibilities. This time around, however, was the first round of writing and recording a project after being on the road. The experience changed his approach.

“For the first time, I was going into making stuff with an audience,” he explains. “I had never been able to see how people react to stuff. Before it just felt like my music was just something that existed in my head. For the first time, people were waiting for my music.”

This also meant that Artemas started to feel self-conscious about how he presented himself as well. It took him a minute to adjust to the feeling of being judged. He usually had put music out without thinking too much about each release. This time, he felt like he was writing with more intention than ever before.

“I wanted this new stuff to have a real clear identity to it and for me to double down on what makes me unique,” he says.

The first LOVERCORE single pack does just that: “eat me alive” and “u don’t have to tell me” are both sides of that classic Artemas sound. On “eat me alive,” he’s in full pop mode. Artemas had begun making the song three years ago and feels it holds a lot of connection to his breakout hit.

“I almost think it’s the precursor song to ‘I like the way you kiss me,’” he reveals. It felt like a natural first release, given how much it ties into the current energy of his live shows.

Meanwhile, “u don’t have to tell me” fits into his dark R&B world, with its “brutally honest lyrics.” He previewed the track at his Coachella debut earlier this year.

His next single pack, out on October 1st, features “take it easy on me,” “this one’s gonna hurt me” and “superstar.” “Superstar” in particular is a clubby take on yearning for someone you don’t feel you’re good enough for. The melodrama is clear across the entire mixtape, including Artemas’ personal favorite “as i wave goodbye,” a dreamy ode to the end of a relationship.

Across the project, it’s clear how well Artemas understands his power now. Growing up in Oxfordshire, England, he let his identity be easily shaped by outside forces. First it was his prodigious piano skills, where he could hear a song and then play it back. Then, at 16, it was his love for Nirvana after watching the documentary Montage of Heck.

“I remember picking up a guitar and going ‘Okay this is what I want to do,’” he recalls. “I can’t really remember anything besides very slowly getting better and better. Then suddenly I was on the other side of it and was able to make this my career.”

After LOVERCORE comes out, Artemas is plotting a big tour for 2026. He’s ready to keep riding this wave.