South Africa’s rock underground has a new force to reckon with—Pussy Heaven, a band as raw, cinematic, and unapologetically powerful as their name suggests. The trio—Tessa Lily, Auriel Lefebre, and Jade Abbott—are carving out a visceral new sound that’s equal parts 90s grunge angst, industrial grind, and desert rock mysticism, and they’ve just dropped their latest single, Hushpuppy (March 7, 2025).
Their breakout track P.S., released in February, turned heads with its hypnotic rhythms and chant-like vocals, setting the stage for a debut that blends grief, resilience, and defiance into something primal and untamed.
Tessa and Auriel’s history in South African music runs deep. The two have spent nearly two decades pushing boundaries, starting with Rokkeloos, the infamous punk band that sparked a free speech court case still studied in South African law. Their next project, Cortina Whiplash, became a cult favorite, bringing rock & roll to festival stages across Africa until their final show in 2019.
Now, with bassist Jade Abbott (ex-Follow Me, Follow You) adding crushing low-end to the mix, Pussy Heaven is here to raise the stakes, not just for themselves but for a scene still dominated by men.
More than just a band, Pussy Heaven is a fully immersive art project, with visual artist Marnus Strydom serving as their fourth, unofficial member. He shapes the band’s aesthetic vision, directing music videos, designing merch, and creating hypnotic visuals that blur the line between music and performance art.
With renowned producer Matthew Fink at the helm, their debut tracks distill a genre-defying mix of rock, industrial, and world music. It’s been described as “world music for the disenchanted, dance music for the damned.” Whatever you call it, it’s impossible to ignore.
Pussy Heaven isn’t just here to make noise—they’re here to redefine the rules.
Head HERE to download Pussy Heaven’s music and merch.
