YDE Tells the Harrowing Story Behind Her Mighty New Single, ‘BlindLife’

17-year-old singer-songwriter and actress YDE is all about making music with a message as strong as her rousing beats and fierce vocals.

Earlier this year, she made her debut with the Gen Z anthem "Stopped Buying Diamonds," and she recently followed that up with the striking "BlindLife." With its funky bass and driving beat, its slightly apocalyptic lyrics feel totally apt amid everything going on in this wild year that is 2020. But though the song may seem like it's about the end of the world, it's also about how we can all do something about it if we just stop turning a blind eye.

YDE's music is everything we've been needing this year, and we had to get to know more about how this latest track came to be. Lucky for us, we were able to ask her directly. Keep reading to find out what the song means, in YDE's words.

Sweety High: What was the songwriting process behind "BlindLife"?

YDE: "BlindLife" was written during fire season in California last year, and it just so happened to be that my home, at that time, was at risk due to the fires. It felt terribly bizarre that I was sitting there trying to write some song while my mum and dad were at home preparing to evacuate if need be. This whole song was written out of my own anxiety of feeling an obligation to do something about the state of the world, yet continuing to do nothing besides write a song about it.

 

SH: What does the track mean to you?

YDE: To me, this song is a reminder that we are both responsible for creating positive change for the world and also responsible for the current state of the world.

 

SH: Do you think people should open their eyes more to their true feelings, and what's going on in the world around them?

YDE: I think people should ask themselves why they wouldn't open their eyes to their true feelings and what's going on in the world around them.

 

SH: What are your favorite lyrics from the track? Why?

YDE: Right now, my favorite lyric is, "It's like I train myself to stay easy, real greasy" just because it's so bizarre, but a close second is, "Here's a song to sing, when everything is way worse than it seems."

 

SH: What do you love most about this song?

YDE: What I love most about this song is how with each listen, you find new elements both sonically and lyrically that add more depth to it.

 

SH: How has the pandemic changed the way you make music, if at all? Has it been a challenge?

YDE: Over the pandemic, I basically took a pause on all sessions and went back to writing everything on my own. It's been challenging in that I've had to figure out how to be self-reliant on all levels from production to lyrical ideas again. But it's been so fun. I've discovered whole new levels of creativity.

 

SH: Are there any artists that are particularly inspiring you during these unusual times?

YDE: Musically, I've been super inspired by Radiohead, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Bjork, Have a Nice Life and The 1975. Within each of these artists radiates a willingness to speak about whatever it is they need to speak about, and a willingness to do it in the most unexpected and creative way possible.

 

If you love discovering new music, click HERE to check out our favorite musical releases of last week.