"Play Destroy" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Poppy featuring Canadian musician Grimes from the former's second studio album Am I a Girl? (2018).[1]
| "Play Destroy" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Poppy featuring Grimes | |
| from the album Am I a Girl? | |
| Released | October 31, 2018 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:05 |
| Label | Mad Decent |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
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| Audio | |
| "Play Destroy" on YouTube | |
Background
editThe collaboration was first teased in a serious of pictures on both Grimes and Poppy's social media accounts.[2] Poppy revealed that Grimes followed her on Twitter and then Poppy messaged her asking for a collaboration.[3] She confirmed that they wrote a couple of songs together, the first being about "destroying things" and the other being about "power", referencing Grimes' single "We Appreciate Power".[4] However, following a feud between the two singers, the song featured American singer Hana instead of Poppy.[5]
Shortly after the release of Am I a Girl?, Poppy revealed that Grimes bullied her during the making of "Play Destroy" stating:
"I was kind of bullied into submission by [Grimes] and her team of self-proclaimed feminists," she says. "We planned the song coming out months ago, and she was preventing it. I got to watch her bully songwriters into signing NDA and not taking credit for songs that they were a part of. She doesn't practice what she preaches."[6]
Before Poppy's statement, a fan praised Grimes for the collaboration on Twitter and she replied with "meh".[7] When responding to the allegations, Grimes said "Poppy, you dragged me into a disgusting situation and won't stop punishing me for not wanting to be a part of it. I don't want to work with you, you leaked the song anyway. U got what you want. Let it go."[8][9]
Composition
edit"Play Destroy" is a synth-pop, industrial metal[10] and nu-metal song.[11] Following the sound of Poppy's "X" and "Am I a Girl?" Poppy refers to these songs as "Poppymetal".[12]
Reception
editAnna Gaca of Spin stated "[The song] is a game, I imagine, akin to 'playing doctor', with all its attendant potential for deviant behavior and doll mutilation".[13] Tom Breihan of Stereogum said that Poppy and Grimes "should've been making music together forever". He continued praising the song stating "Grimes and Poppy both have freaked-out, conceptual takes on bright, gleaming pop music. It's an incredibly strange song, and it's also kind of amazing."[14]
References
edit- ^ "Grimes and Poppy reveal long-awaited collaboration "Play Destroy"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Dazed (October 31, 2018). "Listen to Grimes and Poppy's grinding new song 'Play Destroy'". Dazed. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Reilly, Nick (October 31, 2018). "Listen to 'Play Destroy', the new track from Poppy and Grimes". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Trendell, Andrew (July 30, 2018). "Youtube sensation Poppy on her new album, gender fluidity, and working with Grimes and Marilyn Manson". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Klinkenberg, Brendan (November 29, 2018). "Hear Grimes' Assertive New Song 'We Appreciate Power'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Gaca, Anna (November 30, 2018). "Poppy Says Grimes "Bullied" Her During the Making of Their Song "Play Destroy"". Spin. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Sundstrom, Mark (November 2, 2018). "Um, Grimes Just Called Her New Collab With Poppy 'Meh'". PopCrush. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Bein, Kat (November 30, 2018). "Poppy Breaks Down New Album 'Am I A Girl?' And Says She Was 'Bullied' By Grimes". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy Calls Out Grimes for "Bullying"". Pitchfork. November 30, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (October 31, 2018). "Grimes Assists Poppy on New Metal-Pop Song 'Play Destroy'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy may be the future of heavy metal with new song "Play Destroy"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy Makes a Case for a New Kind of Artificial Pop Star". Time. November 20, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Gaca, Anna (October 31, 2018). "Poppy and Grimes's "Play Destroy" Is Spooky But Sweet". Spin. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy – "Play Destroy" (Feat. Grimes)". Stereogum. October 31, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.