FKA twigs makes some of the most magical, experimental pop coming out right now. And she’s returning with a new single. “killer” is a much more straightforward pop song than FKA twigs has delivered with past projects, like 2019’s acclaimed MAGDALENE. It has a standard pop structure and a dreamy hook. And I personally can’t get enough of the way she says “crisis” in the chorus. It’s undoubtedly one of the most commercial tracks she’s shared, but it works for her. On Instagram, the singer said that this track was “for baddies with a tear in their eye.” And she was spot on with that one.
What “killer” Means to twigs
Here’s what twigs had to say about the track in a press release: “It’s dangerous to be a woman in love”—when at its worst the effects of heartbreak can define one’s trajectory much more than the beauty of the love itself, in my song “Killer” I explore this concept. The navigation, the hunt and the kill. The death of promises, dreams and the future that was once promised. But like the wildest plucked roses, I find myself more beautiful delicately wilted, in shadow, forced solace, darkened at the edges and achingly thirsting to be tended to again”.
She debuted “killer” in an NPR Tiny Desk Home Concert, performing at St. Matthias Church in London. From her three-song setlist, she also played two MAGDALENE tracks, “home with you” and the wildly popular and devastating, “cellophane.” Her performance is elegaic, sounding angelic as she bends high notes with ease, surrounded by flickering candles. This version of “killer” is quite different than the studio version, driven by piano and strings. But each version excels in its own right.
Earlier this year, FKA twigs released her first mixtape, Caprisongs. It has plenty of notable features from friends like The Weeknd, Daniel Caesar, Shygirl, Jorja Smith, and more. She’s released videos for a bunch of tracks, including “jealousy“, “honda“, “ride the dragon“, “papi bones“, “darjeeling” and more.
