Ilana Tel-Oren on September 28th, 2018

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The latest single from ANIIML — the nom de tune of Lila Rose, who formerly went by ANML — is a dark pop song with a ritualistic, synthesized drum beat and candlelit visuals that bring to mind a scene out of “American Horror Story.” It’s the L.A.-based Canadian singer-songwriter’s follow-up to the equally witchy “Chemicals,” released earlier this year.

As she released the new video for the single, though, Rose was confronted by another story: Some social media outlets banned it, considering it offensive. Made entirely by Rose using an iPhone, the video is dark and visceral and features a lot of oiled-up skin.

“I see myself as a performance artist who uses the body as her main canvas,” Rose says. “I see the body as the most beautiful, most controversial, and yet most basic piece of art we are given to create with and from. As soon as you put clothing onto this human form, you imply some other meaning. It directs your mind towards something other than this animal form. My sexuality is my private business, but when it comes to making art, all of that disappears. This is about making something beyond sexuality. It’s about a message, a meaning, and the willingness to show up regardless of peoples’ obvious misconstrued analysis and understanding of said art.

She adds, “It’s comical that it was banned. Freedom is… subjective.”

||| Watch: ANIIML, “Slay!”

||| Also: Stream “Chemicals”