Aotearoa electronica artist Frau Knotz unveils her second single of 2025 — the entrancing and transportive new track ‘Khepri’.
Hot on the heels of her high-octane release ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’, this latest single showcases a softer, more reflective side of her forthcoming sophomore EP, Digital Plastic Surgery — proving there are many spellbinding shades to her world of sound.
Channelling the euphoric spirit of Groove Armada in their balearic era, ‘Khepri’ invites the late-night club-goer to look inward, swaying gently under haze and strobes as the track pulses through the fog. An aching, detuned lead synth spins a haunting melody across an extended chord progression, carried by a steady, thudding beat. The minimalistic production gradually builds to an expansive, sun-soaked breakdown at 2:55 — representing the blazing midday peak — before spiralling into a heady rhythmic climax, and finally easing into a graceful fade as each layer quietly bows out.
Named after the ancient Egyptian winged scarab god, ‘Khepri’ is a shimmering sonic journey tracing the sun’s arc from sunrise to sunset. Frau Knotz explains: “The scarab beetle was a symbol of new life and rebirth in Ancient Egypt because the beetle lays its eggs in a ball of dung. The Egyptians equated the hatching of the eggs with the rise of the ‘newly born’ sun. The scarab god Khepri was a creator; in the Pyramid Texts he was referred to as a sun god, ‘he who is coming into being’.’”
‘Khepri’ is the second offering from Digital Plastic Surgery, a richly diverse EP that serves as part one of a double-EP project. It dives deep into the many corners of electronica, drawing from unexpected wells of inspiration and shaped by a relentless creative drive to forge something emotionally resonant and sonically bold in a focused window of time.
In celebration of this EP, Frau Knotz will be hosting two exclusive events; a virtual listening party on Bandcamp, 7pm Wednesday 6th August and an in-person listening party on release day, Friday 8th August at Peeps DIY in New Plymouth.
Mixed and mastered by Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studio, ‘Khepri’ is a track that evokes wonder, hope, transformation, and reverence for everyday miracles. 2025’s single ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’ was swiftly picked up by George FM as well as across the bNets and independent radio stations across New Zealand and Australia, proving this EP’s popularity at an early stage.
Fresh from her appearance at WOMAD Aotearoa 2025, Frau Knotz has had a stellar year — releasing three acclaimed singles and a debut EP, packing out her hometown premiere for the Nextraterrestrial film, headlining The Stomach in Palmerston North, and captivating a national audience at the Len Lye Centre. With more music and shows on the horizon, Frau Knotz is poised to lift hearts and energise dance floors with her signature blend of deep feeling and undeniable groove.