Some releases aim to move bodies immediately. Others insist on staying with the listener. “Desire”, the new single by Nikka Lorak, belongs to the latter category. Released on January 20 via Animarum, the track shifts focus from drive and momentum toward emotional tension, restraint, and unresolved inner conflict. DJs can download on Beatport.
While Nikka Lorak is known for sets built around energy and control, “Desire” occupies a different emotional register. The single explores a darker and more intimate space, expanding her sonic language without abandoning the cinematic approach that runs through her work. Rather than functioning as a stylistic pivot, the track operates as a self-contained narrative within a broader and more dynamic musical identity.
“Desire sits slightly apart from my more energetic work. It’s less about drive and impact, and more about tension and emotional weight,” the artist explains. “The track explores a darker, more personal space, focusing on painful inner conflict rather than movement.”
The atmosphere of the track is defined by intimacy and unresolved tension. Its emotional pull is sustained through minimalism and pacing rather than dramatic shifts or overt climaxes. “Intimate, charged, and unresolved. It’s dark without being aggressive, emotional without being sentimental. There’s a constant pull forward, but no easy release,” Nikka describes.
The creative process behind “Desire” was guided by subtraction rather than accumulation. Beginning with a simple harmonic idea and a sense of unease, the track evolved once the vocal collaboration took shape. From there, the production became increasingly intentional, prioritising space, restraint and emotional clarity. Vocal presence, bass movement and a controlled arrangement form the backbone of the composition, each element serving the narrative rather than competing for attention.
The emotional direction of the track is rooted in personal experience. Inspired by a relationship marked by attraction and damage, “Desire” reflects the contradiction of longing for something while recognising its destructive nature. “It was destructive and unhealthy, yet there was a strong pull that kept drawing us back to each other,” she says. “I wanted to capture that tension and inevitability without romanticising it, and let the music hold the weight of that experience.”
As a DJ, Nikka Lorak sees a direct connection between the track and the environments she plays in. Her approach to club music prioritises pacing and emotional control over constant peaks, making “Desire” particularly suited to late-night, immersive settings where listeners are open to slower, more attentive experiences.
The choice to release the single through Animarum reflects a shared sensibility. The label’s focus on atmosphere, emotional depth and music that exists between genres aligns with the nature of the track, allowing it to exist without being confined to a specific functional category. The artist has also recently announced her radio show, Between Flights, on SoundCloud where she explores her music identity even further.
Looking ahead, Nikka positions “Desire” as a moment rather than a manifesto. The release adds depth and contrast to her catalogue without defining its future direction. As she continues to perform internationally, with recent appearances across Dubai, the UK and India, the track stands as one chapter within a wider and evolving artistic narrative. You can listen to Nikka Lorak on SoundCloud and find more information on the artist’s Instagram.
