Los Angeles pop-punk sensation deegie unleashes her fiery debut album, Exes, on August 9th and it’s as confrontational as it is cathartic. Channelling the raw energy of 90s grrl power with a modern twist, deegie delivers a ten-track manifesto that dives headfirst into the messy world of dating and relationships.
From the get-go, Exes feels like a no-holds-barred therapy session, with deegie laying bare the highs and lows of her romantic escapades. The album’s boldest feature is its tracklist: each song is named after a past boyfriend, transforming the album into a confessional diary that’s both disarmingly honest and remarkably audacious. It’s a move that recalls the boundary-pushing honesty of early Alanis Morrisette and Hole’s edgy attitude.
Exes is a whirlwind of pop-punk anthems and nu-metal intensity. Tracks like “Scraps (Cleland)” and “Old Spice (Eric #1)” blend catchy hooks with riffs, capturing that quintessential pop-punk spirit while addressing the frustrations of modern romance. In “Third Time’s a Charm (Tom)” deegie channels an unsettling but empowering energy, tackling the nuances of toxic masculinity and emotional manipulation. “The One (Dan)” and “Gray Area (Jeff)” explore trauma with a brutal honesty rarely seen in pop-punk. deegie’s lyrics are unflinching, confronting difficult subjects with a blend of sensitivity and ferocity. It’s a poignant reminder of her ability to mix personal pain with powerful, resonant music.
In true pop-punk fashion, deegie’s Exes is both a rallying cry and a personal diary that offers a blend of upbeat charm and in-your-face attitude. Her unapologetic exploration of relationships and self-reflection makes Exes a vital listen for anyone who’s ever navigated the turbulent waters of love and heartbreak. If the raw intensity and emotional candour of Exes is any indication, deegie is poised to be a significant force in the pop-punk realm.
EDITOR’S NOTE: artist stylises their name in all lowercase letters
