Władek Sheen Unveils Lead Single “time to part(y)” Ahead of Debut Solo Album

Władek Sheen, the Korean Uzbekistani independent artist from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is stepping into the solo spotlight with his new single, time to part(y). A founding member of the alternative rock band Cruel Tie, Sheen has performed hundreds of shows with the band since 2011, including a memorable opening slot for The Jesus and Mary Chain in 2018.

In 2023, Sheen began releasing solo material that showcases his love for guitar-driven styles such as noise rock, britpop, shoegaze, dream pop, and punk. At the same time, he has explored alt-pop, baroque pop, synthwave, and other experimental genres, reflecting his desire to push boundaries and create something entirely his own.

time to part(y) is the lead single from Sheen’s debut solo album, due later this year. The track fuses hyperpop, noise rock, pop punk, and indietronica, combining autotune, heavy bass, Y2K-style synths, and dissonant guitars. Lyrically, the song examines parting ways with close friends and navigating the challenges of social anxiety. Despite its darker themes, the track remains energetic and uplifting, balancing melancholic reflections with hopeful, motivating affirmations.

Speaking about the track, Sheen explained that it represents a turning point in his solo career. He reflected, “The song reflects the realization of what I want to do as a solo artist in the near future. When I started releasing singles two years ago, I often tried to distance myself from the alt-rock and midwest emo I used to play in Cruel Tie. Later I realised I couldn’t and didn’t want to erase 15 years of shared history with the band. At the same time, I’m not about to give up on eclecticism and experimenting with other genres. Right now I’m interested in creating combinations that never even occurred to me before. In the new track, I actually used a guitar idea I came up with back in Moscow in 2020, which I originally intended to turn into a Cruel Tie song.”

The title time to part(y) carries a dual meaning, referencing the band’s original name, All Tomorrow’s Parties, while also playing on the words ‘part’ and ‘party’. Sheen shares his feelings about an uncertain relationship with the band, which he is unlikely to continue, despite having contributed to their upcoming album. The song also explores a broader sense of feeling out of place while expressing readiness to reset and move forward, stronger and freer than before.

With time to part(y), Władek Sheen announces his arrival as a solo artist unafraid to blend genres, embrace personal truths, and chart a path that honours his past while looking confidently to the future.