Words By: Jason Russo

This Thursday, we’re taking a look back at an exciting release from early 2021 from the controversial pop sensation Slayyyter.  “Troubled Paradise” is one of the lead singles off of her debut album of the same name which finds Slayyyter embracing an electric new sound.  Her previous releases were hard-hitting, electro-pop bangers that glistened with neon pink visuals and sugary sweet production inspired by iconic early-2000s pop stars.  Many of her tracks sounded like Britney Spears songs filtered through modern hyperpop production which fans of Kim Petras and Charli XCX instantly resonated with, but many critics claimed were derivative and ingenuine.

This couldn’t be further from the truth in “Troubled Paradise” which is a step in a more serious direction for Slayyyter.  The track features some of her most intimate and personal lyrics to date as she explores the pain of a breakup, increasing in intensity until almost spiraling out of control in the bridge of the track.  She conjures unique and powerful images with lyrics like, “Reminisce of the days when you were mine/You and me in the rain watching lightning strike/And I still don’t wanna let you go.”  She feels abandoned in a troubled paradise, a place that was an oasis to her that has now soured and been replaced with pain.  Despite this heartbreak, she chooses to dance through the heartache while producing one of the most upbeat dance tracks of 2021.

The tropical connotations of the word paradise are channeled in the music video for the track which features Slayyyter donning goddess-like headpieces and cheetah-print jumpsuits.  Its femme powered choreography and dramatic animation combine to make it just as enjoyable as the track itself.

What makes this track so exciting is that it solidifies Slayyyter’s own take on pop music.  While the elements of early-2000s pop are certainly still present, the track feels entirely her own.  Many of her critics have alleged that she relies too heavily on Britney Spears inspiration, but even her harshest critic would agree that “Troubled Paradise” displays an incredible amount of originality and a harmonious blend of that inspiration with Slayyyter’s own style.

Slayyyter broke onto the pop scene back in 2018 with her bombastic collaboration with Ayesha Erotica titled “BFF.”  The song channeled the iconic, glitzy energy created by celebrity best friends Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton as well as a more intensified early pop sound.  Her subsequent releases like “Daddy AF” and “Mine” crafted a uniquely “Swarovski-studded pop” sound that was brazenly sexual and critically acclaimed.  Slayyyter has worked with some of the biggest names in pop music and was featured on the “Click (No Boys Remix)” alongside Charli XCX and Kim Petras.  Her latest album, Troubled Paradise is slated to be released on June 11^th and features the previously released singles “Throatzilla” and “Self Destruct” featuring Wuki.  Stay tuned for more releases from Slayyyter!

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