Jesy Nelson has released her second single - over a year on from her debut effort - and it's certainly got people talking.
Fans have compared the former X Factor star to American singer Billie Eilish and mused how Jesy's latest musical offering is a far cry from her first solo endeavor.
The former Little Mix singer, 31, released hotly-anticipated new track Bad Thing today, following on from her first divisive solo single Boyz receiving a mixed reception 18 months ago.
The 31-year-old singer sparked controversy in October 2021 when she unleashed her collaboration with Nicki Minaj – to the chorus of accusations she was guilty of appropriating black culture in her accompanying music video.
Since Jesy's debut offering, the star has parted ways with original record label, signed a new deal and is now seemingly set to finally release her first studio album - almost three years on from quitting Little Mix back in December 2020.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Jesy teased her second single and shared a sneak peak at her latest music video with her followers.
"BAD THING MUSIC VIDEO," the excited star wrote.
"LONDON 3PM BST. LA 7AM. NYC 10AM. SYDNEY 12AM. 14.04.23."
Bad Thing is produced by BRIT-nominated duo Loose Change (Rita Ora, Noah Cyrus) and co-written with Grammy-nominated songwriter Tayla Parx ( Ariana Grande, BTS and Justin Bieber ).
The track opens with Jesy contemplating an unhealthy relationship to the sound of searing strings, and closes with a prophetic piano and a sudden spark of perfectly timed introspection.
"I don’t feel like anyone’s heard this side of me before, it’s a real, raw, honest, vulnerable side to me," Jesy confessed ahead of the single becoming available to buy and stream.
Hours on from the track hitting Spotify, Jesy's fans took to social media to share their opinions on their idol's new sound.
"Listened to Bad Thing by Jesy Nelson and honestly it's far more better than Boyz also I was expecting a little R&B with a little beat drop when the chorus hits and not adult contemporary, slow vibes," one fan mused online.
Another added: "Jesy definitely found her calling! I also love how song focuses on her vocals a lot!"
"Let’s pretend Boyz never happened," a third quipped, as one fan claimed Jesy's new bop is giving "big Billie Eilish vibes".
The music video for Bad Thing, set to be released today at 3pm, is set in the dark underbelly of London’s East End’s in the 60’s and captures a raw and turbulent love story between Jesy and Sid.
Jesy plays the perfect 60’s housewife whilst Sid battles with addiction and infidelity. Viewed through a retro-tinted lens, it's an all-too common depiction of a woman lost in love and dedication for a spouse she hopes will change, and the haunting solitude of a person tormented in a dysfunctional relationship.
The unsettling closing scene shows the true reality of domestic abuse and features a powerfully emotional performance from Jesy.
Collaborating with Women’s Aid on the narrative of the visual, a spokesperson adds: "We thank Jesy for using the music video for ‘Bad Thing’ to signpost support for women who may be affected by domestic abuse.
"Jesy’s video shows her character not explicitly leaving at the end, and we know from our work with survivors of domestic abuse that this is a reality for many with as many as 1.7 million women experiencing domestic abuse in the UK and Wales last year alone.
"Jesy’s video highlights that it is not easy to leave an abusive relationship and for women using our network of services across the country, the average length of time in abusive relationships before leaving is just over six years."
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