Lexa Gates caused an outbreak in the music scene on October 17, 2024, when she pulled off her gutsy and daring promotional stunt in Union Square to introduce her very first album entitled Elite Vessel. An artist who lives for pushing boundaries in both her music and visuals, Lexa sent crowds and social media viewers running wild after having spent 10 hours inside a see-through glass box as an art installation that went viral in a snap.
Lexa Gates is, at the very least, at the forefront of avant-garde, and is therefore not an accidental collaborator pushing boundaries between visual art and sound in the hope of deeper meanings across. A musician who mixes R&B with introspective lyrics influenced by icons such as Amy Winehouse and Doja Cat, her art is not all about sound; she uses performance to communicate the meaning across-the central theme of her work. The glass-box installation was a striking symbol of vulnerability and isolation, two key concepts which have been touched upon in Elite Vessel.
For 10 hours, Lexa sat inside the glass box, visible but physically untouchable at the bustling center of Union Square. The crowds were unimaginable, so drawn into the boldness of this statement. The box in itself is a symbol of isolation many go through, particularly in the process of personal growth, which is ironically one of the concepts throughout her album.
In putting herself out there, Lexa invites the viewer to consider the paradox of being seen and then being isolated at the very same time-a challenge all too real for those negotiating their identities in a world full of constant scrutiny.
This striking visual performance acted as a high-octane lead-up to the release of Elite Vessel later the following day, October 18, 2024. Music enthusiasts and bystanders shared, at the very least, videos of the installation on TikTok and other social media sites, sending high buzz into overdrive. As reactions came in, the stunt started trending online, feeding further and more interest to the album launch.
@lexagatesangels she do be vibin fr 🙂↕️🥰 #lexagates #nyc #nycthings #glassbox #newyork #rottentothecore #unionsquare #newyork #streetinterview #performanceart #rnb #rnbvibes #indiemusic #indieartist #marketing #streetinterview ♬ Rotten To The Core – Lexa Gates
Elite Vessel is more than a debut; it is a moment marking a point in the artist’s journey for Lexa Gates. The album touches on existential self-discovery, agility, and ambition, from making it out of her rough youth to the polished-and-varnished musician and visual artist that she is today. With introspective lyrics and emotive R&B sounds, this album gets personal; it invites the listener into the raw emotions of an open book.
Anchoring the album is lead single “I Just Can’t Be Alone,” a song of loneliness and fear of being left to face one’s inner daemons. The haunting melody of the song is a perfect reflection of the vulnerability that Lexa exposed in that glass box-being that both an artistic performance, and her musical incline expose her out to her audience in ways few artists do.
The installation of the glass box in Union Square met hundreds of onlookers, and an avalanche of interest online was included. The videos of this inbound social media platform in no time, and viewers were shocked by how serious Lexa is about her art and bold enough to merge performance art with the album release.
That was such a creative thing to do, and one user on TikTok even went as far as to say, “This is next level! Lexa Gates just redefined how artists are supposed to promote their music.” Others felt the imagery associated with being placed in a glass box and also shared that same loneliness along with improvement. The outlets also weren’t without hype from the action, as the majority covered the innovative installation and rising popularity around Elite Vessel. Since the album’s release, Elite Vessel has received reviews that highlight the album’s authentic and deeply emotional storytelling, with a fusion of R&B and hip-hop influences. Professional critics rave about how bold and vulnerable Lexa is, how daring an artist she is, and how refreshing this newest album makes her sound. An innovative release strategy matched with hard-hitting themes in her debut furthers her status as an artist to watch.
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