ANESU’s Debut EP ‘Bad Habits’ Is A Pledge Of Truth: “This Is Me, Take It Or Leave It”

If courage, rebellion and self-preservation were to be sonically interwoven into an EP, Boorloo artist ANESU’s debut project Bad Habits is the thread that ties it all together.

Having grown up in Indonesia, with origins in Zimbabwe, and now residing in so-called Australia, transgender hip hop artist ANESU has walked a path unlike anyone else. Finding comfort within the limitless confines of music, art and creativity, ANESU has been able to find his people, and his voice and compile a meaningful project that would act as his ultimate introduction to the world.

Scattered within the five tracks of Bad Habits are brooding, intimate and reflective experiences of self-discovery, where ANESU opens himself up to the audience through contemplative dialogue around complex relationships, personal demons, and remaining resilient amongst the noise. From charismatic crooning and playful lyricism to brazen and direct proclamations of self-assuredness, Bad Habits is ANESU at his most unshielded. Peeling back the layers, we see ANESU as who they are destined to be: a star.

As the final release under independent Sydney label and management company Elefant Traks, Bad Habits is a wholehearted testament to the championing of local Australian music the label has upheld over the last 25 years.

For The Music, we dive into the debut of Bad Habits to the world with ANESU and discuss the illuminating and exhilarating journey they’re set to embark on.

Bad Habits is your debut project to the world. How do you feel the EP best encapsulates the work you’ve been doing over the last year and a bit, and how do you think it best speaks to the direction you’re heading in?

Bad Habits is me putting everything on the table; love, heartbreak, and the kind of stories that often go untold. Each track is like a snapshot of a moment I’ve lived, and together they create a larger narrative of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. For listeners, it’s a reminder that every voice and truth, flawed, messy, or beautiful, is worth celebrating. Looking ahead, I want to hold onto that honesty while pushing myself musically exploring more live instrumentation and deeper storytelling, all while staying true to my roots. This is just the beginning of where I hope to go as an artist.

From the jump, we’re hit with the incredibly groovy opener FTW. Tell us about using FTW as an opener for the project – how does it set the tone for the rest of the EP?

FTW felt like the perfect opener because it’s bold, unapologetic, and full of raw energy. It’s a statement track that says, “This is me, take it or leave it,” setting the tone for what’s to come. Starting the EP with that confidence felt right, especially since the rest of the project leans into more vulnerable and introspective spaces. It’s like throwing the door wide open before inviting you in to experience the beautiful chaos that follows.

How did curating this project challenge you, if at all? What was the biggest lesson you learned coming out of making the EP?

Creating Bad Habits has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. As someone who’s always been private, this project pushed me to be vulnerable in ways I never expected. As a Black trans queer artist, I’ve carried the weight of representing unheard communities while balancing my personal truth, which wasn’t easy. Navigating an industry that isn’t always ready for stories like mine came with challenges, from finding collaborators who respected my vision to overcoming systemic barriers. Yet, I’ve learned the power of staying true to my voice and the impact of visibility. With the support of an incredible team, this project showed me that creativity thrives in community.

Tell us about the team behind the project – what was it like to work with producers like Lucy Blomkamp and iamsolo, and to share the mic with LilPixie? Collaboration is proof that it takes a village sometimes to fulfil the vision you have wholeheartedly, so how did it feel to be surrounded by this talent and to call on their help to tie everything together?

Working with Lucy Blomkamp, iamsolo, and LilPixie was transformative. Collaboration isn’t just about making music—it’s about creating safe, affirming spaces with a shared vision. Lucy and Solo brought incredible depth to the production; they listened, adapted, and challenged me in ways that felt both supportive and respectful. Sharing the mic with LilPixie was equally special—her energy and creativity breathed life into the project, and it was inspiring to work with someone who truly understands the importance of breaking barriers. For me, collaboration is about community, and this team became part of mine. Surrounded by such incredible talent, I was reminded that with the right people in your corner, your ideas can grow beyond anything you imagined.

How does the project differ from your past releases? What parts of ANESU are we getting to know? Are we still only scratching the surface?

Bad Habits marks a huge step forward from anything I’ve released before. My previous work focused on finding my voice and experimenting, but this EP delves deeper into my flaws, vulnerabilities, and the messy parts of love and identity I once avoided. It’s a more honest, unfiltered version of me, embracing both light and shadow. That said, I’d say we’re still only scratching the surface of who I am and what I have to offer. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited for people to continue discovering me as I grow and evolve.

This project is a clear example of your undeniable multifacetedness, and you’ve showcased fully the kind of lengths and depths you can take things musically. What else are you hoping to experiment with or do musically going forward?

Thank you—this project gave me the space to explore my range and push boundaries. Moving forward, I want to dive deeper into genre-blending, merging my love for hip hop, R&B, and experimental sounds. I’m also eager to explore my Zimbabwean roots, incorporating traditional influences in a way that feels authentic. Lyrically, I aim to take bigger risks—telling stories that not only reflect my experiences but challenge societal norms and amplify voices like mine. Ultimately, I’m excited to experiment with production and visuals, creating immersive, transformative experiences that go beyond music.

Bad Habits also comes as the final release from the iconic and monumental label Elefant Traks. How does it feel to be stamped in history as the final release from the label? What have you been able to discover working with and being part of this team?

It’s surreal to be the final release from Elefant Traks—it’s truly an honour to be part of that legacy. Working with the team has taught me the value of staying true to my vision while being open to collaboration and growth. Elefant Traks gave me the space to experiment and trust myself as an artist, which has been invaluable. This journey has shown me the power of community and how a strong team can turn ideas into something timeless.

As the year comes to a close, what can we expect to hear from you going forward? Are there any big plans in 2025?

As we head into 2025, you can expect me to continue pushing boundaries musically and personally. I’m working on new sounds, new collaborations, and diving deeper into themes that are close to my heart—identity, love, and liberation. I’m excited to experiment with more genres and bring my cultural roots into my work in a way that feels fresh. There’s a lot more to come, and I can’t wait to share what’s next as I keep evolving as an artist.

ANESU’s debut project Bad Habits is out now on all streaming platforms.