Kailee Morgue and Hayley Kiyoko's "Headcase" Is an Early Contender for 2019's Best Pop Moment
Photo: Kayla Dewees
Kailee Morgue's infectious brand of pop is of mythical proportions. And we are not just referring to the anime-obsessed, tattoo-adorned artist's clear penchant for mythology expressed in tracks like "Siren" and Medusa." No, her ability for breathing life into unique works of dark pop, while retaining all the hallmarks of a track guaranteed to get stuck in your head for weeks to come, is of legendary scale.
"Headcase," a longtime fan favorite, sees Morgue linking up with the one and only Hayley Kiyoko, affectionally dubbed "Lesbian Jesus" by her fans, for an early contender of 2019's best moment of undeniable pop magic. Opening on a sample of the Pixies' cult classic "Where Is My Mind?," "Headcase" is a wholly unconventional pop song, but then again what else would we expect from our favorite dark pop princess?
While the production of "Headcase" is upbeat, the story Morgue sings of in her new track is a deeply vulnerable one, detailing her own struggles with mental health. The rising singer has been open about her diagnosis with bipolar disorder in the past, but this is the first time it has been at the forefront of one of her songs. Morgue spoke further on what inspired the release of "Headcase," sharing,
"I love 'Where Is My Mind?', and we took the energy of the song to represent the feelings of love and fear in a relationship. I have bipolar disorder, and I'm always trying to find ways to communicate the struggle through music. I know there are others struggling with it. 'Headcase' is the embodiment of the push-and-pull. I knew I should be writing about it, since it's a release for me and listeners. I wanted to say it, so it would be empowering to deal with this sort of mental issue. I'm not going to hide it or anything."
Openly addressing salient mental health issues, openly queer, and creating some of the best music out there - Morgue is the pop star we need in 2019 and beyond.
Listen to "Headcase" below:
For more from Kailee Morgue, revisit our exclusive performance and interview with the new siren of pop below.
