Longing Louisa arrives with weighty new single “Hatchet”, a sun-kissed slice of pop that belies its refreshingly heavy-hearted subject matter. From the first synth line, listeners are sucked into a soundscape that seems giddy and lighthearted. Underneath the playful, carefree production lies an emotional gravity that stays with you long after the song wraps.
Hatchet's catchy effervescence of the music sets off fairly bitter and repentant lyrics. For all the stark imagery in its title, the song is introspective rather than aggressive, unfolding delicately to encourage listeners to reflect on her interiority.
Fans of Reetta’s previous releases under her own name will notice a significant departure with Longing Louisa. Here, she indulges a side of her artistry that’s somehow at once playful and melancholic, letting lighter production touch amplify instead of overshadowing the song’s emotional core. It’s a reminder that pop sensibilities don’t have to be mutually exclusive from genuine storytelling, and that contrast can be what makes music even more touching.
A master class in juxtaposition, “Hatchet” is the type of song that makes you want to dance and think simultaneously, an indelible marker of joy and introspection. Sometimes the most brutal cuts come in the prettiest packages.
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