Track of the Day: Zapho and Chloë Agnew - 'Ladies'

Rathfarnham-based musicians Zapho and Chloë Agnew have teamed up for a new collaboration today, titled 'Ladies'. The X Collective members have crafted a hypnotising, groovy synth single delving further into female empowerment.

'Ladies' marks The X Collective's fourth release, and the second of Zapho and Chloë Agnew. Their debut, 'WB,' made waves in the Irish music scene in April 2021.

"What I loved about that particular collaboration was that it was my first time writing with another woman,  someone who shared my experiences, who walked in my shoes as a musician, who had the same worries and fears and hopes and dreams as me," Zapho recalls.

"Besides that, I was just blown away by her musicality and writing abilities. It was such a wholesome experience. That was where I first saw the absolute power of community, friendship, sharing of skills, resources and knowledge in music.”

The call-and-response of 'Ladies' encourages women to step up and be un-apologetically themselves.

OUT NOW❤️ The X Collective's new single, 'LADIES' IS HERE! X go check her out 😍😍

Written by: @ChloeAgnew@ZAPHOMUSIC @mark_caplice_music@louisyounge @liamgeddesmusic@XCollectiveIre

LISTEN HERE ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/fJOudqPW8S pic.twitter.com/7a7neyuaWk

— ZAPHO (@ZAPHOMUSIC) January 26, 2023

Written in a songwriting camp hosted by the band, the song was spun from a den of creative, female-focused magic. It speaks to the camaraderie fostered between women in select female-centered spaces, like the ladies' room in a nightclub. Such places show the epitome of solidarity, even between, and sometimes only found with, strangers.

"The creativity, love and genuine camaraderie created that weekend was next to indescribable," Emily Shaw, The X Collective c0-founder says.

Zapho and Agnew met in a different songwriting camp in 2019, paired by destiny and the programme itself. 'Ladies' is a manifestation of what the friendship that was born that day, a product of their collaboration, chemistry, and experiences as women. The track also bears the vocals of Senita Appiakorang and Jess Kav, lending their artistic talent to the siren call.

"Every time I’m in a room with Zapho and our X Collective family a little piece of me comes alive," Agnew, shares. "The process for creating our latest release ‘Ladies’ was one of the most fun and empowering writing sessions I’ve been a part of."

"We laughed, danced and had a great buzz throughout the whole session and knew we had a fun upbeat anthem for women all over the world. It’s so incredible to see all the musical layers that have been added since along with the finest playing & musicianship from our X Collective band.

"Our group is largely dominated by women and it’s been a real joy finding a safe space and a community to create with that promotes the power of what women can do when they join forces. I’m so proud that this song encapsulates that.”

Listen to 'Ladies' here: