Sassy and now, tongue in cheek and relevant, Wellington’s Danica Bryant gives us her new single Libra. A song about the transparency and fleetingness of things like social media, fashion, astrology – when used as a means of judgement and condemnation. This is a pop single with teeth.

Danica‘s lyrics are at surface level quite simplistic. When you study the closeness by which she’s married the visuals in the promo video though, you get that biting cynicism and push-back against the algorithm-led world of the influencer, the platform, the image, and the perfect shot in the perfect setting with the perfect outfit on.

In her own words: “I wanted the ‘Libra‘ music video to tell a story about someone making judgements about others unfairly, based on their star sign. In the video, my character receives the lyrical ‘prescribed future’ in the form of tarot cards from a mystery Libra, but she decides to take that future back into her own hands by coming up with her own tarot response and satirical song.”

It’s got a groovy, funky vibe to it and I can see any number of her followers bopping along to the ear-worm chorus. That’s pop done well. Guitars, a decent, understated bottom end, and some vocal effects that I suspect are put there for additional mischief to add to the message of the song. The video is decently lit, never drops the energy levels, and gives us a large array of different views of our lady of the hour. Directed and produced by Caitlin Robinson, with photographic direction and editing by Kaylib McCartney.

The single is already doing business in the singles charts, so it’s time to pop onto the YouTubes and give the vid a watch. Danica Bryant is one to watch for now and for the future. She’s got brains, great vocals, and a plan.