Breaking News: We Have a Massive "Crush" on RACKETT
The unrequited crush. It’s a feeling that most — if not all — of us know far too well: when you’re smitten with someone who you know doesn’t reciprocate feelings, yet you can’t help but be enveloped in your infatuation. There is definitely no shortage of songs that encapsulate this feeling, but RACKETT proves that there’s always room for a refreshing take on the matter.
The Sydney-based singer/songwriter is no stranger to making a scene — in 2017, she shaved her head onstage during a performance at the Metro Theatre — so it’s no surprise, then, that her latest single, “Crush,” is just as bombastic as the artist herself (and just as lovable, too). Taking inspiration from pop icons such as Charli XCX, Jennifer Paige and Mandy Moore, “Crush” combines the futuristic and the nostalgic as a deliciously-sweet electro-pop banger that harkens back to 90s dance and pop music. The song was written alongside Lime Cordiale’s Dave Hammer; as RACKETT describes it, “[Lyrically] it’s a beautiful puzzle of words that fit perfectly together.” The duo used unique techniques to make the perfect pop song, including tearing pieces of paper to add texture to the lyrics as well as layers of beautiful harmonies and idiosyncratic ad-libs.
“Crush” comes as RACKETT’s third single of 2020, following “Ily Alley” and “Oxytoxic.” Her releases this year see a new sound and image for the artist, which was cultivated during a year of production and songwriting sessions with Hammer. But make no mistake: RACKETT has, and always will be, an absolute bad-ass. Her aforementioned head-shaving onstage was nominated for triple j’s “Top 5 Most Kick-Ass Moments by Aussie Women” in 2018, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she created a weekly online series on Heaps Gay to give LGBTQIA+ artists a platform to perform and stay connected during these tough times. She’s also managed to carve a path for herself as a film director, producer and set & clothing designer; her DIY artistry has permitted her to create her own visions and follow in her own footsteps to become the queen that she is.
We could go on for years about how much we love RACKETT, but it’s safe to say that we undoubtedly have a massive crush on her. But don’t just take it from us — have a listen to “Crush,” and we guarantee that you’ll fall in love as hard as we have.
