Gilska Shines On New Single 'SALT'

Sri Lankan-British singer, songwriter and vocalist GILSKA kicks off 2026 with striking intent, unveiling her sultry and shadow-soaked new single, ‘SALT’, released January 30th. Dark, alluring and unapologetically intimate, the track signals a bold new chapter for the rising alt-pop innovator.

Built on a rich backdrop of glitching, atmospheric electronics, swelling synths and punchy, kick-driven drums, ‘SALT’ immediately envelops the listener in its hypnotic pulse. Gilska’s effortlessly silky and addictive vocals glide above the immersive soundscape, balancing delicacy with control. The production is minimal yet deeply textured—an artful interplay of restraint and intensity that allows every breath, beat and glitch to resonate.

Shimmering layers of spacious synths, experimental vocal resampling and subtle rhythmic shifts give the track an expansive, almost cinematic feel. At once intimate and otherworldly, ‘SALT’ masterfully blends electronic-pop accessibility with inventive, forward-thinking production. The result is a mesmerising sonic world that feels both commercially sharp and creatively fearless.

Speaking on the single, Gilska explains:

“Salt explores raw sexual tension through glitchy dark pop textures and heavy, hip-hop-styled percussion. Intimate, minimal, and seductive, it lives in the charged pause before touch - where attraction becomes unavoidable.”

The single continues Gilska’s evolution as a genre-bending artist whose sound refuses to sit neatly within boundaries. From classical beginnings to club-ready anthems that subtly pay homage to her Sri Lankan heritage, her journey has been one of exploration and fearless reinvention. Channeling the legacy of her grandfather—a renowned Sri Lankan pop singer—Gilska infuses her music with both cultural depth and contemporary edge, weaving raw vulnerability into cinematic electronic landscapes.

Her ascent has been matched by widespread industry recognition. Support from tastemakers including BBC Radio 1, BBC Asian Network, Rolling Stone India, Notion, Clash and Kiss FM has cemented her reputation as an artist to watch. Live, she has proven equally compelling, delivering high-profile performances including an appearance at Wembley Stadium for Voice in a Million.

With ‘SALT’, GILSKA doesn’t just begin the year, she sets the tone. Seductive yet restrained, experimental yet accessible, the single captures an artist fully in control of her sonic identity and poised for an even bigger 2026.