Oxis Just Dropped “Knifefish”—And It’s a Glitch-Pop Masterpiece

The year of the fish is officially in full swing.

Just months after capturing our collective, overthinking souls with Oxis 8 back in January, LA-based electronic pop artist Oxis is already gearing up for her next major chapter. Earlier this week, she announced that her upcoming album, Oxis 9, is set to drop on July 17 via Boom Records. To celebrate, she treated us to a stellar new single.

If you thought you were done crying on the dance floor this year, think again. Oxis’ new pop single “Knifefish” is a fast-paced, glitch-pop gem that perfectly bridges the gap between deep vulnerability and late-night club energy.

You can check out the track below, followed by our full breakdown of why “Knifefish” needs to be on your radar.

Oxis – Knifefish (Official Lyric Video)

Pure Intimacy Meets Shimmering Beats

From the very first second, “Knifefish” hits you with a massive sense of immediacy. Known affectionately by fans as the “princess of marine electronica,” Oxis commands the track by putting her distinct, raw vocals front and center. Unlike some of her previous, more stripped-back ambient work, “Knifefish” accelerates right away over a production layer that simultaneously glows and skitters.

The sonic landscape feels incredibly tactile—mirroring the slick, electric nature of the song’s namesake. The beats loop with an addictive, urgent heartbeat, while digital glitches mirror the frantic, repetitive nature of an anxious mind.

It feels like the kind of track Charli XCX or PinkPantheress would spin at a 3:00 AM warehouse set, yet it retains that bittersweet, indie-pop identity that makes Oxis so uniquely Oxis.

Decoding the Lyrics: “Can You Hold Me Tonight?”

Lyrically, “Knifefish” zeroes right in on the painful, beautiful sensitivities of young adulthood and complicated relationships. Oxis has a gift for taking hyper-relatable bouts of anxiety and turning them into danceable poetry.

The track opens with a confession of sheer exhaustion:

“Nothing else hurts / I wish I could be somebody else / Repeat the worst bits in my mind / I don’t have the fight.”

It’s a sentiment that anyone who suffers from late-night overthinking will recognize instantly. But the emotional peak of the song lands on its addictive, stuttering hook:

“Can you hold me tonight? / I don’t need to be right again / I don’t need, I don’t need it / Can you hold me tonight?”

The repetition of the question, chopped up by vocal effects, perfectly captures that feeling of swallowing your pride just to find comfort in a chaotic world. It’s a plea for connection that strips away the need for arguments or ego, leaving behind nothing but a raw craving for security.

Everything We Know About the New Album Oxis 9

“Knifefish” isn’t just a standalone drop; it serves as our third official taste of Oxis 9, following the dual release of her stellar spring singles “Grey Mullet” and “Scup.“

True to form, the 10-track project continues Oxis’ highly specific, beloved tradition of naming her tracks and projects after marine life, complete with minimalist art that keeps fans guessing. Take a look at the official tracklist below to see what’s swimming our way this July:

The Verdict

Clocking in at a tight 2 minutes and 26 seconds, “Knifefish” doesn’t waste a single frame. It delivers a fast, punchy dose of emotional catharsis packaged inside a brilliantly produced electronic pop shell. If this single is any indication of the depth and energy waiting for us on Oxis 9, July 17 cannot come soon enough.