The acclaimed Swedish R&B/Soul artist Zikai is now resuming her solo career with the new single “Lost a Friend.” The release marks her official return as an artist, after several years spent focusing on writing songs for international superstars. “Lost a Friend” is the first taste from the highly anticipated EP “Burn After Reading,” which will be released on February 12, 2026.
Known for her distinctive sense of melody and innovative productions, Zikai became one of Sweden’s most talked-about emerging talents when she won the Grammis for R&B/Soul of the Year in 2021. Despite her success, she chose to step back from the spotlight and devote herself to writing songs for other artists. Her time “behind the scenes” resulted in co-creating Blackpink’s “Jump,” Zara Larsson and Tyla’s “She Did It Again,” and the Coco Jones song “Hit You Where It Hurts,” which received a Grammy nomination in 2025. Zikai has also collaborated with artists such as Tinashe, JENNIE, LISA, Tori Kelly, David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, as well as Benjamin Ingrosso—establishing her reputation far beyond Sweden’s borders.
With “Lost a Friend,” Zikai now begins a new chapter where her own artistic vision takes center stage. The song deals with the pain and changes that occur when a close friendship is lost, offering an intimate glimpse into Zikai’s life as a young adult. She herself describes the single as a turning point toward more intimate songwriting—a working method that permeates the entire upcoming EP. Musically, the song is both rhythmically playful and melodically rich; a pop-R&B-influenced sound with unconventional structure and timing, which enhances the story’s emotional longing.
Zikai herself emphasizes the creative freedom in the process: “I feel that there are no rules for how music should be structured. What feels right is right.” Both the soundscape and the storytelling in “Lost a Friend” showcase her personal experiences and the technical skill gained from years as a songwriter.
After her break from the spotlight, Zikai now describes her work as a path back to artistic intuition. Her new project focuses less on ambitions of competition and more on portraying her own stories, giving voice to the authentic emotions and uncertainty that come with young adulthood.
With “Burn After Reading,” a body of work is promised that prioritizes identity and vulnerability rather than commercial calculations. The EP, set for release on February 12, 2026, marks a maturity—both artistically and personally—for Zikai. Audiences can get a preview through the single “Lost a Friend,” available for streaming along with a visualizer launched on February 2, 2026.
