Partners in music and in life, Flora Cash’s Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall experienced their share of bumps in the road early on. Lleshaj was forced to flee war-ravaged Kosovo as a youngster, and Randall’s family struggles centered around a father in prison. When their paths crossed on SoundCloud in 2012, Lleshaj was living in Stockholm and Randall was a struggling Minneapolis folk artist. They married a year later, and Randall relocated to Sweden, where their moody, atmospheric pop found its legs.
“You’re Somebody Else”—from Flora Cash’s 2017 debut, Nothing Lasts Forever (And It’s Fine)—was a number-one alternative-radio hit in the United States and went viral on TikTok, leading to platinum status worldwide. They enjoyed similar online success with 2021’s “Soul Mate” and its video. Streamed by millions, the song became a wedding favorite.
For its new single, “My Ex Would’ve Left By Now,” Flora Cash reflects on a stage in the relationship when the honeymoon has long since passed. “It’s a raw and introspective look at self-doubt and the fear of maybe not living up to your end of the bargain,” says Lleshaj.
“It’s the struggle to accept the care and patience of someone who stays, even when we feel unworthy,” says Randall. “We tried to capture the tension between recognizing our flaws and appreciating the love that endures despite them.”
MAGNET is proud to premiere Flora Cash’s “My Ex Would’ve Left By Now,” from the duo’s upcoming, still-untitled album, available October 10 on Flower Money Records.
—Hobart Rowland
