‘If We Ever Broke Up’, is the infectious, attitude-filled, alt-pop bop from 19-year-old Kettering musician Mae Stephens. Now, Mae releases the video for the track, a fun filled, comical play on what she’d do if she ever broke up with her boyfriend.
DEBBY FRIDAY is sharing the incredible official video directed by herself and Kevan Funk for ‘WHAT A MAN,’ a standout from GOOD LUCK, her full-length debut, available now worldwide on Sub Pop. In a statement for the video, DEBBY FRIDAY offers this: “The ‘WHAT A MAN’ music video is loosely based on the famous essay, Ways of Seeing, by English art critic John Berger as well as paintings by the Italian Baroque painter, Artemisia Gentileschi (in particular, her iconic work “Judith Slaying Holofernes”). In 1972, Berger released “Ways of Seeing” as both a television series via the BBC and a book. Both the series and the text function as image-based explorations of the depiction of women in Western art and culture. This work has been massively influential in cultural theory, as it introduced the concept of “the male gaze”. Gentileschi is distinctive for being one of the only female professional artists of her era. Her paintings draw from myths and Biblical stories and almost always feature women as protagonists and equals to men. Arguably her most famous work, Judith Slaying Holofernes, is thought to be a self-portrait that depicts her as Judith slaying a Holofernes who resembles Agostino Tassi, a man who raped her when she was 17. Both the essay and the paintings served as frameworks for the video. The same way that Gentileschi painted herself into images of other women is the same way I feel that every woman can see ourselves in much of Gentileschi’s story and her work. To be a woman and an artist in this world is to be, in a way, a shapeshifter. You take on the shape of whatever and whoever is looking at you – whether that be a camera, a phone, a lover, a thief, a killer. Always and all at once, you are a spectacle, a flower, a treasure, a ditch, a bitch, a miracle. When I look at Artemisia’s paintings, I feel myself transported and transformed into the emotional field of Judith, of Jael, of Susanna. Her hand is my hand, her sword is my sword, her pain is my pain. I have always identified with women who were wild and brazen – survivors, people who exist and persist despite. I have always looked up to women who were willing to be ‘bad’ in the name of living thoroughly.”
Multihyphenate creator Nicole Daddona, who performs as FRIDAY, has shared her new single and video ‘Dear God.’ Daddona reclaims her emotions in the grunged-out ballad that slowly builds before devolving into an all-out rocker. The accompanying video by Daddona’s production company Magic Society Pictures shows FRIDAY dressed up as a crying, cigarette-smoking clown as she takes over an empty indoor children’s entertainment facility. “‘Dear God’ is a grunge-pop song with deep emotions that delves into the themes of self-sabotage and sacrifice,” Daddona says. “It explores the concept of willingly setting oneself up for disaster, even if it causes pain, in order to protect yourself or someone else. The song acknowledges the difficulty of doing the right thing, which often requires walking away from someone or something you love and trusting the unknown. Sometimes, making a mess and looking like a fool is necessary to move forward. The lyrics read like a personal diary entry, expressing the sadness and emotional aftermath of a tough decision. My hope is that the song provides a cathartic outlet for those moments when you need to release some pent-up anger or sadness – ideally over In-N-Out Burger.” Through her whimsical and eclectic solo musical project, FRIDAY explores themes of love and loss with a touch of nostalgia and DIY aesthetics, all heard across a unique sound that she describes as “Harry Nilsson meets Nirvana.”
Tribe Friday has released the official music video for new single ‘Swimsuit’ off their upcoming sophomore album, Hemma. The 80’s styled iridescent track mastered by Stephen Marcussen (The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Cher) touches upon bouts of survivor’s guilt and self reflection. Bolstered by a driving beat, the music video sets the stage for an explosive chorus that channels pent-up frustrations stemming from loss, built up anxieties and regret. Blurring the line between dream and reality, the evocative vocals paired with the fantastical visualization of losing a loved one creates for a heartfelt, cathartic release with their signature bubble-gum emo charm. Singer and guitarist Noah Deutschmann said: “This video expands on some of the themes in the song – survivor’s guilt, unhealthy relationships, addiction, that sort of thing. I love the way Benjamin, Klara and Carl interpreted these ideas and made them come to life. We’re usually hesitant to give away creative control to other people, but I don’t think we could’ve found a better fit this time around. Bonus points to actor Johanna for actually eating that shrimp+fizzy pop jello cake with a straight face. Watch the video and you’ll see – it’s quite impressive.”
One of the busiest bands at SXSW was Be Your Own Pet, the indie-sleaze-era garage-punk band who blasted out of Nashville as teenagers in the mid-aughts, released two wild albums in two years, and quickly broke up in 2008. The band played their first show in 14 years last spring, and after gigging relentlessly at this month’s Austin music marathon they’re back with their first song in 15. ‘Hand Grenade’ races directly back to that BYOP sweet spot of ragged, unhinged rock ‘n’ roll and danceable howl-along pop. Jemina Pearl’s chorus is mightily catchy without shifting out of riotous shouting mode: “I’m not your victim/ I’m my own person/ I’m not some casualty/ I set myself free!” Pearl’s comment on the track: “’Hand Grenade’ started out as a threat to the people who harmed me, that I will make them suffer as I have suffered. But the song grew like a mirror to my own grief process, through anger, denial, sorrow. In the end I gain my power back not through violence, but through self acceptance and rejection of the labels others might put on me. I define myself, no one else.” Below, watch the ‘Hand Grenade’ video, directed by BYOP drummer John Eatherly and shot on an iPhone in a basement. [via Stereogum]
Emerging rockstar Lina Maxine explores her softer side with the release of her new Power-Pop single, ‘EADGBE (Crying Guitar)’. ‘EADGBE (Crying Guitar)’ is the US-based artist’s most intimate song to date, and it’s woven together brilliantly by Lina Maxine’s husky vocals, poetic lyrics and haunting melodies. The song feels like a diary entry, and opens with cinematic chords before transitioning into a lush guitar part and syrupy backing vocals, leading up to a striking slap bass groove in the chorus. The result is a massive banger with Rock and Trap influences that more than lives up to its expectations. And with a neo-gothic music video, Lina delivers a dramatic visual experience to reflect the song’s sultry and vulnerable depths. With production credits to Lina and her musical partner Dean Aladay, the song was also mixed by the pair and recorded in New York in the summer of 2022. Speaking about her sound, Lina says, “I love riffs, I love soaring top lines, and I love the song to be more of a roller coaster than a train ride.” [via Music Crowns]
Global superstar and multi-award-winning songwriter Tones And I has shared a new standalone single titled ‘I Am Free.’ Commenting on the new song, Tones And I shared, “‘I Am Free’ is a song about relationships in my life, that have ended. It’s about self-reflecting on those relationships, acknowledging that I still carry parts of them with me and taking my share of responsibility for what happened. I wrote the song, composed it, co-produced it, and recorded it with my choir and an orchestra. I also wrote and co-directed the film clip and wanted it to be powerful, joyful and anthemic.” [via Broadway World]
Mango In Euphoria has shared the video for her single ‘Hollywood’. ‘Hollywood’ is a dark electronic piece that had its first lines written at the start of 2022 after the artist spent the night at a hotel with a producer from Los Angeles. LA was a city she was always attracted to, in a weird way, but low-key felt dangerous to her soul. The first time the artist visited the city of angels was in March 2019 and she can still remember seeing the selling glamour but also quite a few people lost in the streets. Although the song contains references that are personal and real, ‘Hollywood’ is written in an exaggerated way. It’s to target anyone who would want to make it so bad that they’re ready to be corrupted. She explains further: “For this track, I really wanted to do an electronic mix of the music I listen to the most and grew up with : my first reference sounds were in the tracklist of Tron Legacy’s 2010 soundtrack album produced by Daft Punk. I really wanted to include this « Arcade Game feeling ». Hollywood both sounded futuristic and goth in my head when I first wrote it, so I later decided that I wanted an electronic bass like Mystic Grizzly (an artist that I absolutely love that I discovered last summer) to make love to it.”
King Isis (they/she), the latest signing on Dirty Hit alongside independent label No Matter, has released their debut EP scales. The EP arrives with new focus track ‘i’m fine, thx 4 asking’, that builds upon the indie rock futurism laid down in previous singles ‘taste of u’, ‘in my ways’ and’ 4leaf clover’. King Isis’ debut EP is a stunning exploration into self-discovery and affirmation. Their expressive vocals transition from the acquiescent to symphonic across its 6-tracks and they naturally lean into elemental themes of nature and balance with an emotional depth that far surpasses their years. Speaking on the apathetic focus track ‘i’m fine, thx 4 asking’, King Isis explains: “‘I’m fine thx 4 asking’ comes from moments of self-doubt and self-destruction, traversing through a place of hopelessness to hopefulness. This slump is expressed through the verses, like a cloud of dissociation, but then you’re slapped in the face with a punchy chorus that represents a breakthrough moment of clarity and realization. So now you’re kinda like wait — I think I can get through this — I know it’s gonna take a lot of work but I swear I can do this. It is the moment of realizing that you have the agency to let go of your demons and work with your shadows, not against them.”
Five-time Grammy nominee Chlöe has released her debut album In Pieces via Parkwood/Columbia Records/RCA. Over three years in the making, the fan-demanded project showcases songs written, arranged and executive produced by Chlöe. The 14-track album features collaborations from Missy Elliott, Future and Chris Brown. Launching alongside the album is the official video for ‘Cheatback’ featuring Future and a cameo by Joey Bada$$. The visual finds Chlöe flipping the script on her cheating ex and instead of getting mad, she decides to get even, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
She’s the voice behind radio anthems ‘Stay The Night’ (with Sigala) and ‘Sweet Lies’ (with Nathan Dawes) but now Talia Mar is going it alone and has released self-worth anthem ‘Self-Portrait’. The video, directed by Kassandra Powell, sees Talia reflect on herself through a series of mirrors, glass, crystals and TV screens – acting as a metaphor for when a toxic relationship can make you not recognise who you’ve become and remembering you need to put yourself first and not lose sight of the bad bitch you really are. She said: “I really love it because of the sentiment. It’s an anthem but it has a heartfelt end to it, so you can get the feels. Self-love moments are the most important. That’s where I am right now mentally.”
In the midst of playing her first ever run of US headline shows, girli has announced her brand new highly-anticipated EP. why am i like this?? will arrive on May 12, and include previously released singles, ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and ‘I Really F**ked It Up,’ plus the unheard ‘Inner Child’. Continuing on her unapologetically pop-laden path, girli has also released her new single, ‘Cheap Love.’ The track culminates in a rapturous sing-along chorus, which is already going down a storm live. Written retrospectively by girli, the song explores the beautiful innocence of teen love and not being concerned about being materialistic. ‘Cheap Love’ is the third single to be taken from the forthcoming EP, and follows in the successful footsteps of the previously released singles. “I wrote ‘Cheap Love’ about my first ever relationship I was in, when I was still a teenager,” explains girli. “It’s about being in love on a budget; not having loads of money to take each other out for expensive dinners, or even having a car to pick them up in, but it doesn’t matter because being in love makes you feel richer than anyone else. It’s a love song to love; even if you do have the money to do those things, most of the time it’s not the cash being spent that makes it special, its actually just the time you get with that person that matters the most.” Teaming up once again with director Kassandra Powell, girli has revealed the high-octane video. The playful and sensual visuals see the London-based artist tearing around a warehouse on the back of a motorbike, driven by her love interest.
