NÆ’s new album, Push Button Future is a dance-pop confection with a biting edge, commenting on modern-day issues of consumerism, commercialism, influencer culture. It’s bold, flashy, with elements of rap and EDM splashed throughout, skewering white privilege in a catchy way.
— Scapi Magazine
NÆ and Blizz relied on theatrical prop making skills shared between the two to create this splendid sci-fi environment for their shows... I think what [NÆ and Blizz] have shown with [their] work on Saturnae is that though we are living in uncertain times, that does not mean all hope is lost.
— Mythic Rhythmic
‘Push Button Future’ is like if you took a Kraftwerk record and you smeared pink frosting all over it and put it through it on a record player with some sprinkles.
— The Retrospect on DePaul University Radio
NÆ’s musical style incorporates a fusion of electronic, glitter pop and 80’s synth pop music... The beats are strong, energizing, and engaging, making sure to get listeners to the dance floor.
— B-Squared Magazine
NÆ promises to leave her audience with a prominent message in each release, comical or not... [the Sugar Pumps] music video truly resembles that of a hilarious Saturday Night Live skit, as NÆ gives us heavy Kate McKinnon vibes from beginning to end.
— BUZZ MUSIC
NÆ’s music is a witty commentary on the technologically dependent and often addicted lifestyles of aspirational America, an intriguing exploration of the Starbucks-powered modern day life.
— Acacia Carr, Mythic Rhythmic
NÆ and Blizzle explain their musical and visual influences growing up as well as how they integrate life experiences and their educational backgrounds to create a fresh new synth heavy pop sound.
— Trish The Dish, GenX Voice Podcast

Synthpop and Sugar Pumps - GENX Voice Podcast

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter NÆ has caught the attention of listeners across the globe with her vibrantly charismatic multi-genre musical style & passion-filled vocals.
— Fierce & Fabulous Revolution
...Words, melody, fashion, and a obsession with dead shopping malls are the paints she uses to launch her pop music rebellion against stability. Could her debut album, Push Button Future be the clarion call for white women to shed the absurdity of a “privileged” existence and look for meaning outside of their “Sugar Pumps”?
— The What the Punk?! Podcast

Interview with synth pop artist nÆ - The What the Punk?! Podcast

[Sugar Pumps] is a super infectious Dance Pop track with instantly enjoyable production and vocals with wonderfully tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The upbeat catchiness of the track pulls you in while also being cleverly crafted.
— Music I'm Obsessed With
Push Button Future is a glittery pop album with a scathing cultural critique of societal privilege and aspirational lifestyles.
— Album Producer Ryan Black, as featured in Columbia College News
...In thinking about “the future” and where we are now, it seems apparent that there is a lot to learn – and a lot that needs to change in our fractured culture for moving into our own imminent future... maybe pop music is the democratizing force that can do its own work in bringing people together. Maybe it can get a conversation started about what needs to change in the world, the systemic problems of our society, and even the everyday boring problems of navigating our glowing, futuristic technocracy to connect through it all.
— JaNae Contag, as featured in Esthetic Lens Magazine
NÆ’s humorous lyrics and quirky synth-driven songs comment on the absurdities of American consumer culture.
— Esthetic Lens Magazine
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for performers, many of whom are adjusting to virtual shows. Electric Femme made this transition almost seamlessly... To make this all possible, Chicago artist, NÆ, performed from REB Records Studio. The show was not only visually stimulating and sharp, it was also entertaining, fun to watch, and an impressive culmination of talent.
— Woozy Magazine
NÆ has spent her artistic career looking at the connections she finds in the world and making visual cultural critiques of the ideas she encounters in her life.
— Advance Your Art: From Artist to Creative Entrepreneur Podcast
Since releasing the EP Implied Elegance in 2015 and relocating to Chicago in 2016, NÆ has kept a diligent stride in her ongoing aesthetic investigations. Her sonic and visual inquiry offers penetrating comment into the metamorphosis of middle America.
— The COMP Art & Design Magazine

JaNae Contag - Evolving Apparitions & Environments - The COMP Art & design magazine

The Artists of the Industry Podcast Interview

“The Space Between with JaNae Contag”

The Space Between with janae contag - Artists of the industry podcast

There’s such an interesting dynamic between the music and visual art, and these new projects incorporate programming video games. The chance of kismet is there, much there. If anything, the influence through visual art makes the music even more interesting.
— The Buffalo Bro 1/2 Hour on DePaul University Radio

Interview with NÆ, Blizzle, and Nathan Glynn of Black's Backbone Pt. 1 - The buffalo Bro 1/2 hour on depaul university radio

For artist and educator JaNae Contag, known by her stage name, NÆ, an instructor of digital photography at DePaul University, the production [of her live performances] is an outside-of -the box, educational experience.
— The Chicago Tribune

NÆ Performs at The Wilmette Theatre with Black’s Backbone

Show Series Featured in Chicago Tribune

Wilmette record company promotes live music, video game production - the chicago tribune & the wilmette beacon

We’ve never really seen an event like this before... We were amazed to come and see so many activities spread across the library. The kids enjoyed coding and making objects out of clay.
— The Chicago Tribune, Wilmette Beacon

Interactive visuals designed by NÆ, Programmer Nathan Glynn, and Ryan Black were presented at various community outreach & educational events.

As Featured in The Chicago Tribune