Valentina Moretti Turns Alien Fantasy Into a Defiant Pop Statement with “StarStruck”
Both irreverent and sensitive, Valentina Moretti embodies a duality central to her work. Through seemingly simple imagery and references, she gives form to emotions that are layered, intimate, and deeply felt.
A clear example of this is “StarStruck,” the singer-songwriter’s new single, which uses a fantastical storyline, centered on an alien’s visit to Earth, to expose some of the obstacles she has had to face as a trans woman.
Watch HERE
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Distorted vocals, metallic noises, and intentional echoes converge with a clear sense of purpose and boldness. These elements exist within a narrative of extraterrestrial conquest that functions as a metaphor for exclusion in a world that condemns anything seen as different.
“StarStruck” is part of the creative world Valentina has been building since her EP “From Saturn With Love,” released on the British label HE.SHE.THEY, which helped establish her within the European and North American indie dance scene, and led to her Beatport chart entry with “Planet X.”
Valentina navigates the space between the dance floor and political discourse with ease. DJ sets in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, appearances in Hola Magazine, and a DJ mix for BBC Radio 1 all underscore her understanding of music as both experience and statement. This clarity is also present in collaborations such as “ControL” with producer Gordon Raphael, known for his work with The Strokes.
Listen HERE
This new single sets the stage for what’s next. In 2026, Valentina will launch CyberFetish, her new label, alongside the project Soy Machin, a proposal aimed at shedding light on the bullying and violence faced by trans women, even within spaces that disguise harm as affection.
“StarStruck” fits squarely within the consistent message Valentina Moretti has been determined to carry forward, but with a more direct and emotional turn. The alien figure becomes a symbol of the external desire to “save,” correct, or possess anything that falls outside the norm. Valentina takes that fantasy and subverts it, showing that there is no rescue possible when self-love already exists. The message is clear and necessary, especially in a context where trans bodies continue to be questioned, scrutinized, and often exoticized, erasing any trace of humanity, compassion, and empathy in the process.
