GEM and So Flawless' blistering debut single, “Hurt To Exist,” kicks in, drenched in emotional openness and spirit. On this raw track, GEM does not play it safe. Instead, she unlocks a conduit into her mind and lets every soul crush and inner turbulence stream from her voice. Her voice soars and slices through. It’s this uncompromising intensity that makes “Hurt To Exist” something more than a song.
Born to a musically diverse upbringing, GEM draws inspiration from a collection of sounds, and it shows. The song has a twisted release and builds an unpredictable, compelling soundscape. One second, you’re wading through a tempest of distortion, and next, you’re plummeting into a haunting melodic break that hits just as hard. It’s a rollercoaster, and GEM’s fearless hands on the controls make it easy to trust the ride.
What makes “Hurt To Exist” hit so hard is the fearlessness in its making. GEM does not shy away from discomfort nor wrap the struggle in candy coating. She is one of the few artists who can express what it truly feels like to wrestle with yourself and not come out victorious but sing about it regardless.
“Hurt To Exist” plays as a personal manifesto set to melody. It’s messy, emotional, and beautifully human, a radical statement in an increasingly ever-curated world. With a single track, GEM has established herself as a voice that won’t be quiet, won’t be ashamed, and won’t be ignored. If this is only the start, we’re in for something incredible.