Roxanne de Bastion - New Music

Simple Pleasures

Story by Isaac Bradley

22/07/2026

Roxanne de Bastion leaves introspection behind for a bold, synth-fuelled reinvention, embracing dystopian themes with her most immediate single yet.

For much of her career, Roxanne de Bastion has been defined by deeply personal songwriting. From the elegant reflections of Heirlooms & Hearsay to the emotional weight of You & Me, We Are The Same, and even the poignant family history explored in her acclaimed book The Piano Player Of Budapest, her work has consistently found hope within vulnerability. Simple Pleasures, however, marks the beginning of something entirely different. Rather than turning inward, de Bastion shifts her focus to a world seemingly addicted to excess, convenience and endless technological progress. Framed by jagged guitars, pulsing synths and an infectious electronic groove, Simple Pleasures transforms existential unease into an irresistible indie-pop anthem. It's a song that questions modern consumer culture while simultaneously inviting listeners onto the dancefloor—a contradiction that gives the track much of its charm. Inspired by the creeping normalisation of artificial intelligence and relentless commercialism, the lyrics ask uncomfortable questions without ever becoming preachy. De Bastion examines humanity's willingness to chase every new upgrade while ignoring the forces quietly shaping that behaviour, wrapping her observations in razor-sharp hooks rather than heavy-handed messaging. The result feels timely without being overtly dystopian, balancing wit, anxiety and genuine curiosity in equal measure. Musically, it's a striking departure. Where previous releases leaned into sophisticated piano-led arrangements and thoughtful restraint, Simple Pleasures thrives on distortion, angular riffs and vibrant electronic textures. Echoes of St. Vincent and Beck can certainly be heard in its adventurous production, but the song never loses de Bastion's distinctive melodic voice. Instead, it sounds like an artist discovering fresh ways to express the same intelligence and emotional honesty that have always underpinned her songwriting. A significant part of that transformation comes courtesy of producer Steph Marziano, whose work with artists including Hayley Williams, Picture Parlour, Jasmine.4.t and Nell Mescal has demonstrated an ability to combine raw energy with polished immediacy. Together, Marziano and de Bastion have crafted a sound that's louder, bolder and undeniably more playful, without sacrificing the lyrical substance that has long been her greatest strength. There's an undeniable sense of liberation running through Simple Pleasures. After years spent processing personal grief and preserving her family's extraordinary musical legacy, de Bastion appears to have emerged into what she describes as her "post-grief phase". The emotional honesty remains intact, but it's now channelled through soaring choruses, danceable rhythms and an exhilarating willingness to embrace reinvention. If Simple Pleasures is the first glimpse of what's to come, Roxanne de Bastion isn't simply entering a new chapter—she's rewriting the rulebook. Bold, infectious and brimming with purpose, it's the sound of an artist refusing to stand still while the world spins ever faster around her.