- 2023-08-06
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MUSIC
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Gretta Ray Releases New Song “Don't Date The Teenager”
Australian singer-songwriter Gretta Ray will release her sophomore album “Positive Spin” on August 18, 2023.
It is her first album in two years since the 2021 debut album “Begin to Look Around”.
The album comprises 12-track, with guest appearances from British singer-songwriter Maisie Peters and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Carol Ades.
Gretta Ray said, “Being in pop music and being a woman in pop music… your perception of where you're at can get very warped. I'm starting to really settle into my mid-20s... I feel stronger now than I ever have... I am so much more equipped to do the job now, and to be this person now... I feel really empowered by the knowledge that I have gotten, over the years of experience that I have had in this industry.”
From the album, she unveiled the fourth single called “Don't Date The Teenager” on August 2, 2023.
The track was written by Gretta Ray and Hailey Collier. Produced by Hamish Patrick.- She said of the song, “Pop music has been such a therapeutic, rewarding safe space for me over the years. You can take a heavy topic, add some synths and some uplifting call-and-response harmonies, and gradually, the heavy topic is transformed into a catchy, fun and healing bop, lifting you up instead of pulling you further down into that awful, weighty feeling. I've always seen 'Don't Date The Teenager' as this metaphorical hand that could possibly help pull someone out of that emotional quicksand, especially due to the juxtaposition of the production and the deep self reflection within the lyrics. It is definitely the most honest I've ever been in a song, but the honesty I hope, will amplify the importance of the message.”
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The accompanying music video was co-directed by Gretta Ray and Triana Hernandez.
She shared on social media, “I have learned so much from writing this song, finalising the production, creating content for it and preparing to release it. my wish is that it finds the people who need to hear it the most, whether it makes you reflect, rethink, or invites you to move out of heartbreak territory, and into the light to have a dance. ✨”
She continued, “Working with Evan Klar and Hailey Collier on writing this song was such a game changer - i can't say it enough. i felt so safe, heard and understood in that room. Evan and Gab Strum's production is a phenomenally special combination, and Hamish Patrick and I had consistently wonderful, fun days in the studio perfecting the vocals for this. thank you as always to Tristan Hoogland and Nomograph Mastering for bringing this song into my dreamy, sparkly, girly pop sonic space !!”
She added, “As for the VIDEO !! Triana Hernandez, my glorious co-director - you are a visionary and your commitment to executing this video exactly how I imagined it, was beyond validating. to our STARS, Hannah Adams (the 'teenager' in question) and the boyfriend, Jeremy Bennett - every time i showed a friend this video before it's release, their first words after watching were “GREAT casting”. you both smashed this and are SO talented. to the rest of the cast and crew - it was a mammoth of a shoot, a very long day for us all - thank you from the bottom of my heart for remaining so energised and patient. DDTT has lifted me up and given a big hug to my 20 year old self. I hope that it can do the same for others 💛”
Photo by Cybele - source : Apple Music
