AGNES RIDES THE WAVE OF SELF-DISCOVERY ON EGO

WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS

“EGO” is the disco-synth-tinged track from pop-sensation Agnes, released on September 5th. This track comes with a hypnotic music video directed by Swim Club, and it’s nothing short of cinematic. As she rides on a motorbike through an open universe filled with flashes of neon, you can feel the song’s playful pulse echoing every rev of her engine.

I caught up with Agnes to talk about the track, which she describes as the first song she wrote for her upcoming album. “My songs and lyrics are like a side effect of what I’m going through or where my thoughts are at the moment,” she tells me. Reading Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth sparked the lyrical engine behind “EGO,” and it ended up setting the tone for the entire album. There’s a rawness here, a sense of loosening your grip and letting the road guide you.

Interestingly, this time Agnes started with lyrics before melodies - a shift that she says allowed her to be more playful with her voice. “If the last album, Magic Still Exists, was in a landscape of layers upon layers production-wise, this time I wanted fewer elements and more space for each one… to capture that unpolished sound, the vibe you often have in an early demo,” she explains. That decision feels like switching gears mid-ride: unexpected, thrilling, and just a little risky - but entirely worth it.

Thematically, “EGO” is a road map to self-discovery. Agnes was grappling with ideas of ego and how it influences our relationships and our own internal narrative. “I wanted to do it in a playful way so it didn’t become too depressing,” she says. “It’s still pop … like trying to have a discussion or begging this wild, reckless creature to just take a step back.” It’s a delicate balance between surrendering control and staying present.

If you’re wondering where to start letting go of your own ego, Agnes has you covered: surround yourself with inspiration and calm. Be with people who lift you, immerse yourself in art, music, films, books. In the context of “EGO,” the message is simple but potent: in every moment, you can let fearlessness, inspiration, and love take the handlebars instead of your ego.

From the thrill of the video to the layered yet stripped-back production, “EGO” is a testament to Agnes’ evolution as an artist. She’s riding her own path, unafraid to shift gears, explore opposites, and push boundaries - proving once again why she continues to command attention worldwide. By the time the song winds down, you’re left with a feeling of liberation, and empowerment.

If pop music were a motorbike, Agnes would be the rider leaning into every bend, showing us all how to ride with both our ego and our heart.