Otep Shamaya has officially returned to music with her new single “(ISH) I’m Still Here”, marking her first new release since previously announcing her retirement from the music industry in 2024.
The new track sees Shamaya taking a notable stylistic turn. Rather than returning to the nü-metal sound that helped establish her career, the new song embraces a more trip hop-influenced approach, offering a very different presentation from her previous work.
Shamaya opened up about the inspiration behind the song in a statement accompanying its release today, August 10th:
“I’ve been struggling with depression for several years. Most of you know why but I didn’t want to burden anyone with it so I hid it & fought it alone. This new song (tho different genre) is about that struggle, the voice of the Void telling you its safe to stay under its lethal gravity. It also covers being ‘othered’ growing up & living out loud Queer/Lesbian xx My hope is that ppl can get past the lack of gutturals & identify with those struggles. If you can, this song is for you big love & gratitude #otep xx”
“(ISH) I’m Still Here” consequently serves as a very different kind of comeback for Otep Shamaya, with the artist using the track to explore deeply personal themes while stepping outside the musical style most associated with her career.
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