Toronto singer-songwriter Alex Porat has a back catalog of bops. With that being said, her latest single, “Dimension,” is the pop banger everyone has been waiting for. Despite a global pandemic, the pop queens have still been able to have us dancing non-stop, even if it has only been in our bedrooms. With this new futuristic track, Porat now joins the likes of Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, and Lady Gaga, who have lifted our spirits and given us anthems throughout the uncertain times.
EUPHORIA. caught up with Porat ahead of the release to discuss the career-defining single, how the pandemic has impacted her creative process, and what fans can expect next.
Your new single, “Dimension,” is definitely one for the dance floor and is so far your most danceable song. What inspired you to write this song?
Thank you! Its general theme is inspired by a love that couldn’t be. When Jeff Hazin, producer of “Dimension,” started building the sound it felt very space-like. The connection between love and space has always existed in my life. I would always hear “I love you to the moon and back” from my parents growing up, so exploring this route again feels very close to home for me. I don’t understand space and in fact, I’m scared of space, but not understanding it leaves so much room for the imagination like, are there versions of us that exist elsewhere that are in love? I’ve always thought about things like that.
Can fans expect more material like this?
A hundred percent. As a child, I always envisioned this as my dream, so it’s cool being able to live out that dream right now. Little me wouldn’t believe it.
How long ago did you write this song? Do you try to release songs while they’re fresh?
I think we wrote it in November. I’m looking at texts right now between Jeff, DCF, and I, and we were texting about it back then. I would love to write a song and release it the next day, but I find that living with the demo a bit helps me decide if I want to release it and when.
Do you feel like you’re still experimenting with your sound or are you the type of artist who will keep switching it up?
I think I’ve found my happy place but still love to switch it up. Pop is such a vast genre and I feel like anything can go. I want to be able to write and express without limits so wherever that takes me, I’ll go.
Has your Chinese-Canadian heritage had any influence on your artistry at all?
It definitely has. I grew up lacking role models in music that I could completely relate to and because of that I was intimidated and at times discouraged. As a kid, I wasn’t able to fully understand why there weren’t more Asian musicians in Western music and I became numb to that idea. Now, I have a platform, and so being able to talk about it means so much and pushes me even further when it comes to creating. I feel like I’m doing it for myself but also for little Alex.
How has the ongoing pandemic helped or changed your creative process over the past year?
It’s forced me to sit longer with my thoughts and through that I feel like I’ve narrowed down exactly where I want my music to go. I’m such an overthinker, so this is the first year where my overthinking has done me some good.
You’ve released a couple of EPs already. What’s next?
I’m working my way up to a couple more songs for sure. I’ve never been more excited to release music, I’m super proud of these songs coming.
What is something you would like to achieve by the end of the year?
I would love to perform in real life. Fingers crossed. Arms crossed. Eyes crossed.