A new Kim Petras era is already upon us! Just two months after she concluded “era 1” with tringle “1,2,3 dayz up,” “Homework,” and “If U Think About Me…,” the singer is back with a new single titled “Broken.” Draping herself in a softcore gothic aesthetic — perhaps a subtle nod to last year’s Turn Off the Lights, Vol. 1 — Petras looks like a vampire and/or succubus, a perfect pairing for the track’s bitter lyrics. Less ‘80s-inspired than previous singles, “Broken” features trap production with flashes of bass and the singer’s layered vocals; whether it be a tactful move or simply a new artistic direction, it’s an interesting progression for an artist on the cusp of their debut album.
Opening with the chorus, “Broken” sets the record straight right from the start: “pray to god that she leave you broken.” Continuing into the first verse, Petras explains that her ex-partner tore her apart at the time of their separation, but she’s now living her best life, touting Marc Jacobs, Paris, and “her new dude” as signs that she’s moved on to better things. She betrays herself throughout the rest of the track, telling her post-breakup story to her former lover — mentions of half-empty Jack Daniels bottles, “going psycho,” and equating her tears to falling rain paint an depressing picture. The singer thankfully doesn’t shove her signature “woo-ah!” that stans love so much down the listener’s throat, relegating a single use of it to the end of the final chorus. Much like its soundscape, the lyrics of “Broken” detail an evolving (though still petty) Petras, making the track an exciting sign of things to come.
Rating: 4/5