Formerly the smoky-voiced lead of Wisconsin-based folk-pop group PHOX, singer-songwriter Monica Martin moved to LA last year to strike out on her own. Her first single “Cruel” was released this October, marking Martin’s breakout as a solo artist, and a new remix, premiered here today, adds some spice from Chance the Rapper–collaborator Peter Cottontale. “[He] has a dreamy playful glitter-brain and he crushed this EMO BOP,” Martin says of Cottontale. Produced by Eg White (Adele, Florence & The Machine, Sam Smith) the track recalls the necessary dissolution of a romance.
“You can equip your lover with the truth, but they might still lie to themselves,” Martin says of “Cruel.” “There is a point where, if you know they aren’t going to manage their expectations as a grown ass person, you’re cruel to not call the incompatibility and leave…”
Martin’s EP release is planned for 2019 via Republic Records, and promises a roster of soulful pop tunes and ex-lover kiss-offs.
