Halsey spent the weekend in mostly silent protest against what they said was an artistic difference of opinion with her label. In a TikTok video entitled “I’m Tired,” the singer stared silently into the camera while a message filled the screen about her struggle to be heard.
“Basically, I have a song that I love that wanna release ASAP,” the singer wrote, without naming the track. “But my record label won’t let me.” Noting that they’ve been in the industry for more than 8 years and sold over 165 million records, the singer rolled her eyes as the seemingly unreleased track entitled “So Good” played in the background.
“And my record company is saying that I can’t release it unless they can fake a viral moment on TikTok,” they added, singing along to the wistful pop ballad featuring the lyrics, “When you left I bet you held her body closer/ And I was hoping you would tell her it was over/ You’re all I think about in every way I look/ I know it’s bad but we could be so good.”
“Everything is marketing and they are doing this to basically every artist these days,” they continued. “I just wanna release music, man. And I deserve better tbh.” The 29-second clip ends with the phrase: “I’m tired.”
Halsey’s personal PR and record label rep had not returned requests for comment at press time.
In a second TikTok posted on Sunday (May 22) the singer was again almost speechless, answering with “uh huh” and “mm-hm” when a voice off-screen described a potential way to get around the alleged label road block. When the man suggested putting out the song title (confirmed as “So Good”) and putting the art on TikTok, but not announcing the release date, the screen read “I wish I was kidding lol,” over images of her seemingly doing everything she can to not say exactly what’s on their mind.
“I just hate this,” she finally said with a resigned sigh. “It sucks.” The track sounds like it might be a return to the more pop-oriented sound Halsey was known for before her rockist turn to a louder, grungier electronic beat-infected sound on last year’s Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross-produced If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.
According to NME, back in March, Halsey said in an Instagram Story that they had been writing new music and was, indeed, planning a return to the pop pocket. “I have an incredible song that I could put out as a single for radio next but I feel like that’s insane to do bc I haven’t even toured iichliwp [If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power] yet idk,” said said. “I actually have a few. Idk what to dooooo.”
Halsey recently told fans that she might disappear for a bit due to a number of chronic medical issues that sent her to the hospital in April, later explaining that she’s been “sick most of my adult life.” She kicked off her “Love and Peace” tour last week in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Watch Halsey’s TikToks below.
