Julissa Martina on keeping it simple, having fun, and the power of feeling good in what you wear
Not every Latex Angels song needs to be dark, heavy, or complicated. Sometimes, the band just wants to have fun — and Shiny Leggings is a perfect example.
In this edition of The Inner Circle, bassist Julissa Martina looks back at the creation of a song that took shape during a welcome break from the demanding work on Findom: Pay to Play. What began as a fun session became a cheerful, almost pop-inspired track celebrating confidence, personal style, and the freedom to wear whatever makes you feel good.
A welcome change of pace
Writing an album can become an exhausting process, especially when everyone has spent a long time focusing on the same material. For Findom: Pay to Play, the band eventually needed a change of scenery.
“We deliberately planned a fun session,” Julissa explains. “Everyone was getting tired of focusing on the album, and we needed a distraction. Several quirky songs came out of it, including Shiny Leggings. It was a welcome change for all of us.”
The result was something different from the darker or heavier material Latex Angels are known for. Julissa believes the band benefits from exploring different genres and sounds rather than always returning to the same musical territory.
“Variation keeps things interesting for us, and hopefully for the listeners too. I think we managed to do something different while still staying true to Latex Angels.”
Keeping the bass in its place
For Julissa, the song's straightforward character called for a straightforward approach on bass. She doesn't feel every bass line needs to demand attention, and she is quite happy to let other instruments take the spotlight.
“I may be the stereotypical lazy bassist,” she jokes. “I like playing bass lines that don't necessarily stand out unless you're really listening for them.”
That philosophy suited Shiny Leggings perfectly. The song wasn't meant to be a showcase for complicated musicianship; its charm lies in its uncomplicated, upbeat feel.
Julissa admits there isn't a particularly elaborate bass part in the track that she expects listeners to marvel at. For a bass line she finds especially enjoyable, she points instead to Freak, where the bass is more prominent and fun to play.
More than just a pair of leggings
Beneath its cheerful surface, Shiny Leggings celebrates something Julissa genuinely believes in: the freedom to dress in a way that feels right for you.
Clothing can create a look and shape the expectations people have of someone, she says, but it doesn't necessarily reveal the wearer's personality. What matters is the person inside the outfit.
At the same time, clothes can reinforce a mood or mindset. The right outfit can give someone a little extra confidence or flair when they need it.
Her message is simple: wear what you like, wear what feels comfortable, and don't be afraid to choose something that makes you feel good. You don't have to fit someone else's expectations.
It's a sentiment that fits the song's bright, celebratory spirit. Shiny leggings are more than fabric in this story — they're a little reminder that confidence can sometimes start with something as simple as getting dressed.
Finding its place on Fetish Express
The song's journey to the album wasn't entirely straightforward. During the final stages of assembling Fetish Express, the tracklist went through several last-minute changes. There were questions about whether Shiny Leggings fitted the album's sound and whether its subject matter overlapped too much with Latex Pants.
Julissa understands that there were arguments on both sides. She doesn't spend much time worrying about whether a topic has been explored before, though she knows that the band sometimes discusses how to avoid repeating itself. There are still new angles to discover, even when two songs share a broad theme.
Ultimately, Shiny Leggings found its place on the album — and Julissa is happy that it did.
She does, however, recognise that some listeners might initially see it as filler material rather than a standout track. Her hope is that the song can prove them wrong.
“Maybe it can become the underdog of the album,” she says. “I hope people will appreciate it.”
An underdog worth discovering
Perhaps Shiny Leggings doesn't have the ambition to be the loudest, darkest, or most technically impressive track in the Latex Angels catalogue. It came from a moment when the band needed to step away from the pressure of album production and simply enjoy making music.
That spirit is part of what makes it special. It's playful, accessible, and unashamedly cheerful — a reminder that Latex Angels can explore a lighter side without losing their identity.
And if the song eventually wins over listeners who weren't expecting much from it, all the better.
Sometimes, the underdog is the one that deserves a second listen.
Interview: Latex Angels — Behind the Song series.