Beth McKenzie is making waves in the pop scene with her bold new single, “She’s Finally Lost It!” Known for her candid storytelling and genre-blending sound, the Manchester-based artist combines raw, honest lyrics with an upbeat, edgy production. Building on the success of her viral track, “Don’t Tell My Boyfriend,” Beth continues to push boundaries and solidify her unique voice in the industry.
“She’s Finally Lost It!” marks a significant shift from your previous single “Don’t Tell My Boyfriend.” Can you tell us more about the creative journey behind this track and how you decided to go for a more upbeat, edgy sound?
Sonically, ‘She’s Finally Lost It!’ is definitely a step away from my previous single, but I’d be lying if I told you this was purposeful! We were trying a bunch of different things with the chorus – it had been written as a ballad but there was something missing. I was getting quite frustrated because nothing was clicking. My producer and co-writer, Andy Gannon, suggested that we switch it up a bit, increase the tempo and add some wacky instrumentation to give the track a different feel. After we made that decision, the whole song just fell into place!
You mentioned that the song initially had a dark and sombre tone. What inspired the decision to rework it into something more upbeat, and how did that transformation affect the final message of the song?
Once we reworked the song to be more upbeat, it completely changed. What had started out as a sonically intense track became something more tongue-in-cheek. This fit the theme of the song perfectly. While the track is about a bad experience I had with an authority figure, it’s also a reflection on how ridiculous the workings of the music industry can be. The upbeat and unhinged production of this song almost pokes fun at the whole situation, acknowledging the stupidity.
Your lyrics often tackle difficult and personal subjects. How do you approach songwriting when dealing with such intense emotions, and what role does music play in processing these experiences for you?
This is a really good question! For a long time, songwriting has been a release for me. It’s been a great way for me to explore my thoughts and really understand myself and my surroundings. However, this can have a downside! Sometimes exploring dark thoughts and topics can be quite overwhelming. I’m having to learn what my limits are and making sure I don’t push myself too much when writing about difficult things. I have a great support system around me and I’m incredibly lucky to be in a position where I can be vulnerable in writing and have people be there for me afterwards. While writing can be upsetting and intense at the time, it’s always so cathartic in the end…
“She’s Finally Lost It!” addresses power abuse within the music industry, a topic that’s not often discussed openly. What motivated you to tackle this issue head-on, and what message do you hope to convey to your listeners?
Mistreatment in the music industry is such a touchy subject, people don’t really want to talk about it. For me, I’d kept my experiences to myself for a long time as I was scared of the potential repercussions. Gradually I started to realise that I didn’t want to give anyone that control over me and I actually found that starting to talk and write about how I was feeling made me feel better! When people listen to the track and hear the story behind it, I want them to remember that sharing their experiences can be something so powerful.
The lyrics reflect a journey through feelings of helplessness, isolation, and eventually empowerment. How do you balance vulnerability with strength in your music, especially when dealing with such personal topics?
As cliche as it may sound, there’s such strength in vulnerability. The two go so well together, especially when it comes to music. I really allow myself to feel every emotion in the book when I’m writing about a personal subject, even the negative ones and honestly, this is what enables me to access a stronger, more powerful feeling – which I will always put into the song! I wish I could tell you that I have a tried and tested formula for finding the balance between the positive and negative emotions, but I really don’t – it just sort of… happens.
Your music touches on issues like internalised homophobia, betrayal, and power abuse. How do you see your role as an artist in giving voice to those who might feel unheard, and how important is it for you to address these topics through your art?
I started talking about these topics through music because it was the only way I knew how! I’ve continued to do so because I think that music is an amazing way to reach people. Inspiring that voice in people who may be struggling to find it is undoubtedly the most important thing for me as an artist. Too often, people are made to feel like their voice doesn’t matter, or it won’t make a difference – I cannot express how untrue that is and I want to help people realise that they deserve to be heard.
You’ve cited influences ranging from Lily Allen to Gracie Abrams. How have these artists influenced your sound and storytelling, and how do you incorporate those influences while maintaining your unique voice?
I was just thinking the other day about how lucky I am to be an artist in 2024. I’m able to look back on decades of art and music and draw inspiration from them! It’s actually so cool. I’ve been able to grow up listening to so many different artists and they’ve helped shape me into the artist I’m becoming. Gabrielle Aplin has long been a favourite artist of mine and she’s taught me that vulnerability is beautiful, Lily Allen taught me that unapologetic lyricism is there for the taking and Taylor Swift has taught me to stand up for myself, both inside and outside of the studio. I could talk for hours about the artists who have had an influence on me and my sound!
I feel like I’m able to maintain a unique voice because everything I write has been inspired by my unique life experiences – my music is very much an exploration of my feelings and the way I see the world, so while I take influence from numerous artists, I’m able to keep my music personal to me.
Your music blends ‘00s British pop nostalgia with Gen Z transparency. How do you see this blend of past and present shaping your identity as an artist, and how does it resonate with your audience?
I grew up on ‘00s British pop – Eliza Doolittle, Paloma Faith and Lily Allen to name the big three. I absolutely love incorporating this style into my music, it’s somehow both nostalgic and refreshing, and truly makes me feel like I’m writing from my roots! For me, songwriting is all about honesty, so transparency comes naturally to me – I feel this is a good representation of me as both an artist and personally, so it’s so special when anything I create resonates with people.
As a classically trained musician, how has your musical upbringing informed your approach to pop music? Do you find that your classical background gives you a unique perspective when creating your songs?
I’m lucky to have a classical background, I think it really helps me when I’m making music. I learned about music theory from a young age, so it’s almost second nature! This allows me to really focus on the emotion and intention when songwriting, which is a massive privilege.
With your debut EP on the horizon, what can fans expect from this project? How does it represent the evolution of your artistry and what themes are you most excited to explore?
I’m really wearing my heart on my sleeve with this EP, and it’s absolutely terrifying! I continue to explore difficult subjects, but in a way that feels empowering; this has been amazing for me. I don’t want to give too much away, but the lead single from the project is one of my favourites. The song is a great representation of what people can expect from me as an artist. It’s fun, but it’s also quite intense!
You’ve recently signed with Handwritten Records, which represents a diverse group of artists. How has this new partnership influenced your creative process, and what can we expect from this collaboration in the future?
I’m so grateful to have signed with Handwritten. They’re an incredible team! They’ve really trusted me with the creative process and have given me the space, time and resources to really explore my style and artistry. Half the songs on the EP wouldn’t exist if they hadn’t supported me in this.
TikTok played a significant role in the success of “Don’t Tell My Boyfriend.” How do you view the impact of social media on your career, and how do you plan to leverage these platforms as you continue to grow as an artist?
Social media is so powerful, it’s what has allowed me to share my music then connect with listeners all over the world! I found a lot of new listeners on TikTok at the beginning of this year and I hope to continue to connect with new people. Any artist will tell you that it’s hard work at times, but it’s so worth it! I love talking to people who listen to my music, hearing how they relate and what my songs mean to them. I’m so grateful for everyone, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I do today without their love and support. When I release music and share my story, it’s 100% for them.
With “She’s Finally Lost It!” generating buzz and more music on the way, what are your goals for this next chapter of your career? Where do you see yourself going in the pop landscape, and what are you most excited about?
I’m super excited to start performing live. It’s not something I have too much experience in, so I’m itching to get out there! I love the world of pop, it’s such a lovely community – one I hope I can be part of for a long time.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
