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Photo by Stewart Hughes

MARIS’ latest single, “IT’S HARD (to be a Man)” is a bold narrative that uses both humor and sarcasm to tackle the heaviness MARIS was feeling during a brief stint as a sex worker. Behind a strong rock-pop baseline, sharp lyricism outlines the types of conversations MARIS would have with the men who would pay her, but more importantly, the irony of what they’d say. 

“I was working this job where I pretended to be a roster of OnlyFans models, and I was messaging men and selling their nudes for tips. The things men would say to me, and the mental rabbit hole I would go down thinking through what these men were Googling, how they interact with women on and offline, and how they even conceptualize women, really shook me to my core.”

MARIS recalls feeling the need to make a song about this, but it just couldn’t be sad. “It had to be funny, because that’s the only way I could cope with it. I went outside, smoked a J, and started writing from the perspective of these guys. The chorus came to me via what I was typing multiple times every shift, “oh my God, it’s soooooo hard,” and I realized how prevalent this power dynamic is now. Women have men in the palm of their hands, and they don’t even have to touch them. The virtual sex industry is billions of dollars big, and every day we stray further from nature’s light. It’s hard.” 

The music video is one for the books. It adds the perfect visual to the funny, sarcastic interplay between a sex worker and a man (both MARIS) outlined by the lyrics. It’s filled with creativity and several jaw-dropping looks, including but not limited to a water-gun bra, a blonde wig, and stick-on moustaches. 

All in all, “IT’S HARD (to be a Man)” is an epically unique track that highlights MARIS’ sheer skill as a performer. MARIS is infectious, from her insane vocals to her effortless star power, while this track combines everything that a killer song really requires. 

Listen to “IT'S HARD (to be a Man)" below: