Brighton’s grunge-meets-electronic-pop solo artist Girl Apocrypha has returned with her electrifying new single, ‘MADONNA’.
Following the success of her debut track, ‘Dealer’. The song showcases a striking blend of alt-rock grit, playful electronica, and sharp vocal delivery that moves seamlessly from spoken-word verses to an expansive, melodic chorus.
Recorded and produced alongside Jag Jago (The Maccabees, Cassyette, Jamie T), ‘MADONNA’ manages to balance dark, gritty textures with a surprisingly accessible commercial edge. Drawing from the brooding energy of Interpol, Placebo, and Nine Inch Nails, while embracing the pop sensibilities of Lady Gaga, Grimes, and The Dare, Girl Apocrypha inhabits a captivating space between grunge and synth-pop—where raw intensity meets glossy hooks.
From its synth-led verses and spoken-word approach, the track builds into an explosive chorus, where crunching distorted guitars provide a striking payoff that contrasts beautifully with the lo-fi electronics of the intro.
Speaking about the track, Emia explains:
“MADONNA is probably one of the stupidest songs I have ever written and for that reason, it’s also one of my favourites. It’s obnoxious, camp, and such a celebration of the pop music that I grew up listening to and still love. Strangely, I wrote it at the same time as I wrote my, much more depressing, debut single ‘Dealer’ – it was a pretty hard time for me personally, but I did genuinely wake up from a strange dream about, well, everything I describe in MADONNA, and so I spent the day writing and recording the demo; for a few hours I was able to escape my real life and just indulge in this fun, shiny world where things were still bright and funny and completely unserious. To me, that’s what pop music is all about .”
Girl Apocrypha has already made notable strides as an emerging voice in the UK’s indie and alt-rock scene. Her live debut supporting the acclaimed alt-pop artist Paige Kennedy received praise in Brighton and Hove News, signalling her arrival on the live circuit. With early support from tastemakers, she is fast becoming an exciting new prospect.