Redirection by Julia Tuzhilkov (Interview 2026)

Edition Eighty-Four- Week Eighty-Four; Unit 2:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

Introduction

Julia Tuzhilkov is an emerging artist whose music explores the complicated territory of relationships, attraction, heartbreak, memory, independence, and emotional change. Her 2025 album, Redirection, presents a collection of songs that move through different emotional perspectives, from the vulnerability of “In My Memory” to the decisiveness of “Don’t Want Him Anymore” and the introspection of “Sometimes.”

Released in September 2025, Redirection contains 13 tracks and offers listeners an opportunity to follow a broader emotional journey rather than experiencing each song as an isolated moment. The album’s titles alone suggest an artist interested in examining the many stages of connection and separation—from wanting someone and missing someone to letting go and finding a new direction.

Her releases throughout 2025 established a steady introduction to that musical world, beginning with “Everybody Wants You,” followed by “In My Memory” and “Don’t Want Him Anymore” before the full album arrived. For this interview, we explore the stories and emotions behind Julia’s music, the making of Redirection, her songwriting process, and the personal experiences that have shaped her artistic voice.

Short Review

Julia Tuzhilkov’s Redirection feels like an exploration of emotional transition. Across its 13 tracks, the album moves through themes suggested by its titles—desire, memory, uncertainty, heartbreak, attraction, friendship, and ultimately the decision to move forward.

One of the appealing qualities of the project is the sense of narrative created by placing very different emotional states alongside one another. “Everybody Wants You” introduces an immediate sense of attraction, while songs such as “In My Memory,” “Miss the Most,” and “Let You Go” suggest the more reflective side of relationships and their aftermath. Meanwhile, “I’m Done” and “Don’t Want Him Anymore” bring a stronger feeling of emotional independence and closure.

Rather than presenting a single emotional viewpoint, Tuzhilkov’s music allows different sides of love and relationships to coexist. That gives Redirection a relatable quality: the songs can be heard as individual snapshots, but together they suggest a larger story about change, self-discovery, and moving into a new chapter. With her growing catalog and willingness to explore different emotional perspectives, Julia Tuzhilkov is an artist worth watching as she continues developing her sound and defining her place within contemporary pop.

Q&A

How would you describe Julia Tuzhilkov as an artist to someone discovering your music for the first time?

“I would describe Julia Tuzhilkov as a versatile artist who covers genres such as pop, rock, alternative, and melodic along with ranging themes from heartbreak, grief/loss, friendship heartbreak to mental health. As someone who wants others to feel less alone and be able to relate to all aspects of life.”

Your 2025 album is titled Redirection. What does that word mean to you personally, and why did it feel like the right title for the project?

“Redirection was chosen because every experience in every song has led to a redirection in life. Every rejection leads to redirection. Every story or person leads you to bigger and better”

Was Redirection conceived as a complete album from the beginning, or did the overall story emerge as you continued writing songs?

“The album ranges from stories in high school into adulthood. It covers the transitional period from teenager to adolescence, capturing different aspects of life.”

The album explores many different sides of relationships. How much of your songwriting comes from personal experience?

“All of my songs come from personal stories in hopes to connect with other people who have experienced similar stories. I want people to know they are never alone in their struggles. I want my songs to feel like a hug.”

What usually inspires you to turn a particular emotion or experience into a song?

“I get inspired by the feeling of someone relating and telling me how much my music meant to them. The bond you can build with someone through a connection like music is truly special.”

Where can we hear more, and why should we?

“My music is available on all platforms. You should listen to it because it covers all aspects of human emotions. A lot of songs today are about heartbreak, but I wanted a spectrum of topics to reach a broader audience and help others feel less alone.”

Anything to add here?

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to express myself through music. I grew up with a very talented mother who’s a musician, Olga Tuzhilkov. She got to play viola in my album. My best friend Payton Freeman got to voice the intro into my album. So many special people helped this album come alive!”