“What the Hell, Hey” by barDe feels like finding your diary from three years ago and realizing you actually had more clarity than you thought. This isn’t just another artist singing about getting ghosted, this is someone who understands the messy complexity of modern heartbreak.

The 90s electric guitar work caught my attention. It has this edge that cuts through without trying too hard to impress. When the vintage instruments come in, they add a layer of warmth that makes the whole thing feel lived in rather than polished to death. barDe’s vocals sit perfectly in the mix, direct enough to make you uncomfortable in the best way.

What sets this apart is the honesty. She sings about the weird games people play in relationships with this matter of fact delivery that makes you nod along even when it hurts. There’s no sugar coating here, no attempt to make heartbreak sound romantic or noble. It just is what it is, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need to hear.

The influences show through clearly but never feel derivative. You can hear that Fiona Apple bite in the way she delivers certain lines, the R.E.M. cleverness in how the melodies twist, and Regina Spektor’s quirky soul in the unexpected moments. But barDe has found her own voice within all of that.

You can take a listen here.