X (Poppy song)
"X" is a song by Poppy, released as a single on October 25, 2018. It is the fifth single from her second studio album Am I a Girl? and its fourteenth and final track. The music video was released on November 5.[1] It was the official theme song for NXT TakeOver: Phoenix the following January.[4]
"X" | ||||
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Single by Poppy | ||||
from the album Am I a Girl? | ||||
Released | October 25, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:54 2:08 (acoustic version) | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Zakk Cervini | |||
Poppy singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Acoustic version cover | ||||
Music video | ||||
"X" on YouTube |
Music video
The music video for "X" was released on November 5, 2018.[5][1] This video was inspired by the 1976 film Carrie.[6]
An acoustic version of "X" was released on Poppy's YouTube channel on January 8, 2019 and as a single for download on January 17, 2019.[7][8]
Composition
"X" explores heavier territory similar to "Play Destroy", her collaboration with Grimes, with Poppy describing both tracks as a new genre called "Poppymetal".[9] "X" features "contradicting verses and melodies", with heavy metal parts in which the singer "begs to be made bloody" and peaceful sections with harmonies where she sings about wanting to "love everyone".[1] The song is in the key of F# minor with a BPM of 114.[10]
Reception
Andy Hill from Gigwise states: "It's a masterpiece. So much packed in – the legit death metal, the retro-horror shoutouts, the note-perfect peace and love hippy interludes. It's her 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. High art for the Ritalin generation."[11]
Anna Fair from Alternative Press states: "While the peaceful verses are accompanied by delightful harmonies and a scene right out of the '60s, the immediate scene following is dark. Heavy metal guitars back Poppy's vocals, and she gets her wish ['please get me bloody']."[1]
Track listing
Digital download and streaming[12]
- "X"
Digital download and streaming (Acoustic)[8]
- "X" (Acoustic)
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | October 25, 2018 | Original |
|
[12] | |
January 17, 2019 | Acoustic | [8] |
References
- Fair, Anna (November 5, 2018). "Poppy continues heavy metal domination with bloody new video". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- Fratti, Karen (November 12, 2018). "Musician & YouTube Sensation Poppy Takes On The Bustle Booth". Bustle. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- Johnston, Maura (February 5, 2020). "Poppy in full bloom at Brighton Music Hall". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- Stroud, Brandon (January 1, 2019). "Poppy And WWE Are Seriously Teaming Up For NXT TakeOver Phoenix". Uproxx. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- "Poppy - X (Official Video)". November 5, 2018 – via YouTube.
- "Poppy takes out the biggest WTF moment this week with her bloody heavy pop-metal single 'X'". Wall of Sound. November 7, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- "Poppy - X (Acoustic)". January 8, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019 – via YouTube.
- "X (Acoustic) - Single". January 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- "Poppy Makes a Case for a New Kind of Artificial Pop Star". Time. November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
- "X-Poppy". Tunebat. October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- Hill, Andy (November 6, 2018). "Be baffled by trendy internet weirdo Poppy's new track 'X'". Gigwise. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- Poppy (October 25, 2018). "Spotify – X". open.spotify.com.