Wollongong’s Up Late has cemented his status as one of the most fluid and genre-defying artists. Today finds its creative engine, Max Pasalic, releasing an explosive new single called ‘DIVA’ – a 1:34 burst of distorted screaming carnage, and a track he dubs his most “sinister offering yet”.

Straddling tones of rap, hip hop, and hardcore, ‘DIVA’ finds Up Late touching on distinct memories of pain.

“I often reference my own terrible, and painful moments in Up Late songs,” says Pasalic. “Even if they sound like they’re a broad reference point, most of the time I can pinpoint horrible moments that I want to express, or get past through writing. ‘DIVA’ is about the contradiction of ‘being your best self’. That colloquial ‘instagram-typecast line’ can be a beautiful sentiment for some, but for the most part (in my opinion) it gives agency and cause to the self-destructive side of your brain. ‘DIVA’ is about being ‘your best’ and also ‘worst self’ in the internet age, partying to access the smallest sliver of serotonin your brain has left – even if you’re going to feel even worse the next day.
 
“What goes up must come down. I’m conscious that a lot of my teens and early twenties have been spent celebrating, even if there’s nothing to celebrate. That echo chamber that you deserve to be your best self and drink till the early morning becomes a deceptive and contradictory cycle. I’m not sober but I know my limits and I like to be in control. I think now I realise you can have a lot more fun partying when you’re sober, and perhaps I have ‘DIVA’ to thank for that.”

‘DIVA’s release is complemented by its equally explosive music video, and marks the second single from Up Late’s upcoming sophomore EP, teased for release in the coming months.