South East London’s Mysie is officially back with her first single of 2023, CTRL. A sonically mystic blend of alternative R&B and indie, the track has a distinctive high-tempo sound in comparison to the melancholy feel of her 2022 EP gin + juice. Produced by the Gold Spectacles duo, Mysie departs from the smooth summer-time grooves of her previous work, shooting for more of a lo-fi, indie-based feel.

The single has already gained a significant amount of traction over TikTok, where it garnered millions of views before even hitting streaming platforms. Amidst the wonky synths and smooth vocals, the track is ultimately a story of triumphant self-reflection. After essentially being ghosted by her ex-lover 6 months prior, CTRL sees Mysie address the attempt of that person to come back into her life. Stating “it took a little time to cure / now I’m better than before,” her ability to reject this person’s advances is a testament to her personal growth and self-love.

Labelled “one to watch” by BBC Radio, Mysie looks undeniably poised for a big 2023. With CTRL symbolizing an unapologetic goodbye to an older version of herself, the single also represents a farewell to her old sound. Armoured with a new sonic direction and a perspective rooted in self-love, it will be exciting to see how her new sonic direction plays out over the course of future singles or a full-scale project.