Ones2Watch Home

Photo: Kristen Jan Wong

Nessa Barrett confronts her cheating ex on her new single, "girl in new york." Inspired by a true story, according to the artist, she informs her soon-to-be ex-partner that she is aware of his infidelity over jazz-inspired sonics mixed with a hint of soft rock.

Rich yet sparingly played piano chords and Barrett's sleek vocals lure the listener into a story full of betrayal and love on the brink of being lost. She clutches our hearts as she narrates her last interaction with her lover before they flew to the East Coast, regretting the statement, "Go have a good time." Sweeping instrumentals frame the doomed realization that her partner is only loyal to her when he's close by. "You got wanderin' eyes / So, I guess you lied / When you said I was special / You're not as smart as you think you are / Baby, I know about the girl in New York," she croons. In the post-chorus hook, she wonders, "Who the hеll is she / Taking you from me?" as warm, forlorn piano riffs ebb and flow through layers of delicate production.

While discussing the new track, Barrett says, "I wrote this song about a guy who I was in the very early stages of getting to know. He had told me that he was taking a trip to New York and ghosted me." That inspired a narrative in her mind. "It's about a woman who he met and became obsessed with during his trip, therefore forgetting about me completely. It was delusional and a little psychotic of me, but I'm just grateful that it led to the creation of 'girl in new york.'"

"girl in new york" follows closely after the release of the dark pop star's heartfelt single "club heaven" and her pulse-pounding collaboration with Whethan, "sick of myself." Earlier this year, she released her celebrated hell is a teenage girl EP, a vulnerable and captivating eight-song EP written to represent the "8 stages of a breakup."

Watch the "girl in new york" lyric video below: