Australian artist aleksiah delves into themes of perfectionism, pressure, and the cathartic nature of pop in her standout track “The Hit,” a striking number from her latest EP ‘Cry About It.’ The song transforms raw emotions and the intense desire to create something exceptional into an undeniable and catchy piece.
Stream: “The Hit” – aleksiah
Songwriting, like many passions, can resemble a toxic relationship; there’s a constant pursuit to excel, to satisfy others, creating an endless chase for validation, much like an addiction.
* * *
Validation is an addictive force, and aleksiah pursues that high with intensity and style in “The Hit.”
This bold and shining track from her new EP Cry About It (released July 11th via Chugg Music and Stellar Trigger) hits with the energy of a shock: it's filled with driving beats, shimmering synths, and emotionally potent vocals that both ache and soar. Picture a blend of MUNA and Lily Allen, with a hint of 2010s “recession pop” – all enveloped within a voice that captivates and holds on tight.
The Hit – aleksiah
I got the help I need
I know the grass is green
I don’t think I’ll ever be,
be enough for you
Caught up in jealousy
Stuck on a melody
Searching for the missing piece
inside my room
I want what you want
At least I think I do
I’m aware that I’m destined to lose
this battle between us
A lock and a few keys
Harness and heavy leash
Making it tough to break free
“Oh, it’s the hit that cuts me to my core / When the writing’s on the wall / Maybe this’ll be my downfall…” the Adelaide-based singer/songwriter cries out, her voice bubbling with self-awareness and urgency. Composed alone in a hotel room, “The Hit” explores the stress of creating something remarkable – of being remarkable – and the thrill of validation tied to it.
Now, it’s on me
It’s scorching hot
And every moment, every second,
it gets harder to breathe
When I’m not feeling the thrill
When the words fall short
When I’m staring at the page
and pretending it’s love
“I had just listened to one of my favorite songs, ‘Love Song’ by Sara Bareilles. I adored how it could be interpreted from two perspectives, grappling with the pressure to create a hit and navigating a relationship, so I wanted to attempt something similar,” aleksiah shares with Atwood Magazine.
“The song conveys feelings of inadequacy and the external – yet mainly internal – pressure to succeed. However, you could also interpret it as a narrative about a toxic relationship, with ‘the hit’ symbolizing the validation received from being with someone, akin to a drug.”
The duality of yearning and collapse, of investing oneself entirely into something that may shatter you, is vividly expressed in the song’s energized chorus, where aleksiah reaches a fever pitch. Her voice brims with emotion, passion, and urgency, synchronized with pulsing synths, pulling us into the thick of it – amidst the precarious balance of self-esteem and self-sabotage. Her lyrics, enriched by the stirring emotion in her voice, portray the drive for validation as both a lifeline and a risk. The hit, in every regard, epitomizes both the substance and the hurt – the catalyst for her relentless striving, and the source of her pain:
Oh, it’s the hit that cuts me to my core
When the writing’s on the wall
Maybe this’ll be my downfall
Baby, it’s the hit that gets me through the night
Leaves me thinking that I’m okay
In the morning I’ll be all yours
Baby, it’s ooh, the way you look at me
Tell me it’s destiny, “we could make history”
Oh baby, it’s the hit that cuts me to the core
Leaves me collapsing on the floor
Maybe this’ll be my downfall, downfall
aleksiah © 2025
I found myself feeling quite low, struggling under the weight of expectations, both external and primarily from within, to craft the perfect song.
* * *
This duality is the essence of “The Hit” – a dance between desire and deterioration, between ambition and unraveling. “For me, it captures the immense pressure I place on myself to succeed. I've always been someone who takes great pride in my work and has strong beliefs about what I create, which I fear will ultimately be my undoing,” aleksiah remarks dryly. “Don’t feel the thrill / And the words are not enough / Like I’m staring at a river and pretending it’s a flood.” She is in pursuit of perfection, even at a cost – translating in song the cathars
This will mark the multi-hyphenate's first album in six years.
The captivating alt-pop vocalist Joon Gloom shines with the release of their new single 'Joker'. Available now, the track solidifies Joon's rise into the spotlight, establishing them as one of the
The pop superstar's upcoming album is set to be released on October 10th.
Two years after her first album, the Brit School graduate returns with a soft, polished collection of soulful music. More mature and knowledgeable, yet still imperfect,
London-based project Silver Gore has released a new track titled 'Dogs In Heaven'. Earlier this year, the band performed at a special showcase during The Great Escape.
Fred again.. today releases an updated take on his popular new single 'Victory Lap Four', this time featuring That Mexican OT. The original version included
Australian artist Aleksiah explores themes of perfectionism, pressure, and pop catharsis in “The Hit,” a strikingly titled highlight from her latest EP, 'Cry About It.' The track transforms raw emotion and the intense desire to produce something exceptional into an unforgettable and irresistibly catchy tune.