X (Poppy song)


"X" is a song by Poppy, released as a single on October 25, 2018. It is the fifth single from her second studio album Am I a Girl? and its fourteenth and final track. The music video was released on November 5. It was the official theme song for the following January.

Music video

The music video for "X" was released on November 5, 2018. This video was inspired by the 1976 film Carrie.
An acoustic version of "X" was released on Poppy's YouTube channel on January 8, 2019 and as a single for download on January 17, 2019.

Composition

"X" explores heavier territory similar to "Play Destroy", her collaboration with Grimes, with Poppy describing both tracks as a new genre called "Poppymetal". "X" features "contradicting verses and melodies", with heavy metal parts in which the singer "begs to be made bloody" and peaceful sections with harmonies where she sings about wanting to "love everyone". The song is in the key of F# minor with a BPM of 114.

Reception

Andy Hill from Gigwise states: "It's a masterpiece. So much packed in – the legit death metal, the retro-horror shoutouts, the note-perfect peace and love hippy interludes. It's her 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. High art for the Ritalin generation."
Anna Fair from Alternative Press states: "While the peaceful verses are accompanied by delightful harmonies and a scene right out of the '60s, the immediate scene following is dark. Heavy metal guitars back Poppy's vocals, and she gets her wish ."

Track listing

Digital download and streaming
  1. "X"
Digital download and streaming
  1. "X"

    Release history