London-based hyperpop duo Sistra will release their debut studio album, “She Won’t Let Go,” on Friday, May 29, per gq-magazine.co.uk.
The musical project, formed by sisters Sylvie and Sasha Briggs, aged 29 and 27, transitioned from viral TikTok comedy sketches to a professional music career following a period of collaborative songwriting during the pandemic lockdown.
Raised in Stoke Newington and now based out of Reading, both sisters previously worked in the television and film industries. Sylvie Briggs appeared in the ITV comedy Cold Feet and the HBO series The Nevers, while Sasha Briggs worked as an assistant director and wrote the twin-centric short film Panda.
The duo initially gained musical traction by uploading acoustic covers of Fleetwood Mac and Frank Ocean tracks to YouTube. Their upcoming debut album marks a shift toward electronic hyperpop, featuring production and songwriting contributions from industry veteran Jon Shave. The record’s sonic direction draws comparisons to contemporary pop acts such as Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX and The Japanese House.
Sistra’s creative dynamic relies heavily on their sibling relationship. The sisters acknowledged that their shared personal history heavily influences their songwriting, often resulting in tracks that address underlying sibling tensions rather than standard romantic themes. “Recently looking at our back catalogue of songs, we realised in hindsight that many of them are about each other,” Sylvie stated, noting that the closest relationship in their lives serves as their primary creative source.
The duo also built a significant digital audience through chaotic, self-referential TikTok videos, notably a recurring viral joke regarding Sylvie’s “gay landlord.” The sisters use the platform’s playful, satirical tone to mirror the boundary-pushing nature of their music, which combines tragic lyrics with intense electronic production.
Sibling partnerships remain a prominent fixture in British and international music history. Sistra joins a long lineage of familial acts ranging from Oasis and The Bee Gees to contemporary groups like Haim, though they distinguish themselves by applying this collaborative dynamic to the modern hyperpop landscape.
•Featured image:Sistra/gq-magazine.co.uk
