BANKS‘ new single, I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Doechii, is a hypnotic banger that cuts through with fierce energy, balancing BANKS‘ signature dark-pop style with a fresh, unapologetic edge. The production pulses with a heavy bassline that drives the track, imbuing it with a gritty, raw intensity. This fierce low-end presence lays the foundation for the song’s taunting attitude, elevating BANKS‘ sharp delivery and the track’s biting lyrical content.
The song’s nod to Kelis‘ iconic “I hate you so much right now” lyric from Caught Out There is unmistakable, both sonically and lyrically, injecting the same fiery rage but with BANKS‘ uniquely icy, controlled vibe. It’s a clever homage, almost a torch-passing moment, as BANKS twists that frustration into something more modern and complex, blending it with her signature haunting tones.
Lyrically, the song is steeped in biting commentary on insecurity and obsession, with BANKS embodying a confident, almost taunting persona. Lines like “I’ma send some flowers to her ego, and I wish she walks away with somethin'” showcase the sly undercurrent of both pity and scorn directed at the ex-girlfriend, reinforcing the song’s themes of superiority and emotional entanglement. Doechii‘s verse takes it even further, with sharp lines like “Scarlet letter and I seal it with a french kiss, mwah,” adding an extra layer of fierce sarcasm and swagger to this modern-day revenge anthem.
Production-wise, I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend retains the dimensionality that BANKS has mastered throughout her discography. It’s dense and layered, creating a hypnotic atmosphere that draws listeners in. Yet, there’s a newfound ferocity here, thanks in part to Doechii‘s electrifying feature. Doechii‘s verse also adds a fiery, almost dangerous element to the track, with brash lines like “Put a tic-tac on it like a fresh tip, wrap a bow ’round your coffin like it’s Christmas” amplifying the song’s boldness and playful menace with a megaphone style vocal production which reminds us of Azealia Banks. Her verse balances the bitterness of the track with humor and bravado, creating a dynamic interplay between the two artists.
The music video is as captivating as the track itself, blending industrial aesthetics with a dark, sexy allure. BANKS and Doechii command the screen in a series of bold, seductive shots, intertwined with male models who exude an aloof, almost eerie presence. The stars are unapologetic as they take turns thrusting on a bed, riding on the bonnet of a car, and owning their power while underscoring the tension between desire and disdain. The raw, industrial backdrop, punctuated with soft lighting and slick choreography, amplifies the intensity of the track, making the visual experience as hypnotic and raw as the music.
Overall, the release is classic BANKS – emotionally charged, fierce, and sonically hypnotic – but with a refreshing twist of ferocity. I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend is a perfect balance of BANKS’ trademark sound and a bold step forward, solidifying her place as a fearless voice in alt-pop. The track pulses with energy, the production wraps you in its dark allure, and lyrically, it’s a perfect dose of cathartic chaos. We have added the opus to the top of our New Music Spotlight playlist!