“Ruin The Radio” by Seraphina
Video may have already killed the radio star, but Seraphina still wants to “Ruin the Radio.” While she blesses our ears with nostalgic synths and pop melodies, she curses someone who has hurt her in the past to still hear her music wherever they go. Seraphina’s sweet and sour song will have even a bitter ex humming along.
Seraphina is clever with song structure, lyrics, and sonic details without overdoing it. Since a theme throughout the story is driving, the track begins with an 80s synth motif, as if we’re joining her on a nighttime drive. Later, she chops the chorus up a bit for the outro, resembling radio static. The simplicity of the song as a whole allows for these details to shine through and support the lyrical storyline.
The verse lyrics have a literary quality. While we never find out who this song is addressed to and what exactly they did to hurt her, Seraphina alludes to their guilt with a “burning tree transcribing [their] confession” in the first verse and reveals they “have faith/the same way lying brings forgiveness.” The mystery allows her message to be relatable; listeners who may not be releasing songs to be played everywhere can still understand her feelings of anger and spite, but her satisfaction as well.
In contrast to the more serious verses, the chorus leans mischievous. Seraphina shares how pervasive her music, and by extension, she, will be. “I’m in your car and at the mall/ I’m makin’ dinner with your mom,” she sings. The clarity in the chorus lyrics balances the entire song and gives us something more concrete to hold on to.
Being an 80s-inspired tune, it has an energetic and easy-listening quality that underscores Seraphina’s response to heartache and anger without detracting from her experience. Her bright and airy vocals shine through the melody and complement the somewhat impish nature of the lyrics.
The melody and message effectively work together to grab our attention, appealing to a nostalgia for classic pop and scenic routes, to present Seraphina’s take on what it means to have a little fun while healing from the past. The track’s strength lies in its simplicity: it’s catchy, like something that plays in the background while you drive or shop and catch yourself humming later. Again, a sweet curse for whoever is trying to ignore the wrong they did toward Seraphina.
With this track, Seraphina takes back her power as she heals from her past hurt. Her vocals are sugar sweet but her truth is tart as she exacts her revenge, causing a little mischief but ultimately no harm done. From the glimmering synth melodies to the memorable and charming lyrics, “Ruin the Radio” is worth the rewind.