If iyla falls down seven times, she’s going to fiercely “Strut” eight times. Her sweaty new single, out via Tomorrow Music/Astra Velum, is a much-needed bounce-back anthem.
On the disco-infused track, amplified by stomping percussion and booming bass, iyla dances away the pain from heartbreak. Her angelic vocals allow her to bare her emotions, while the hard-hitting production constantly reminds her to keep strutting forward.
“Swallow my tears down in the club (Don’t you know I) / I should’ve kept my heart on tuck / Highlight shine like a disco ball (So you know I) / I strut like I don’t give a f–k,” she sings in the irresistible chorus.
The song’s brightest moment is the bridge and final minute, where the production switches into a Baltimore Club-inspired beat with classic bed squeaks. iyla sings, “Out here feeling cute / Shiny polished new / Reflecting every hue / He might be my new dude,” before chanting, “Two baddie face queens go ‘round the outside,” a nod to Eminem’s “Without You,” where he raps: “Two trailer-park girls go ‘round the outside.”
Speaking on “Strut,” iyla explains, “I wanted to write a disco anthem about swallowing my tears and stepping boldly into the spotlight, enjoying life’s beauty in full color. Whether you’re healing from grief, leaving behind toxic ties, or breaking free from self-doubt, ‘Strut’ encourages my listeners to show up and show out despite life’s sharpest daggers. ‘Strut’ is a call to dance through the darkness and reclaim the radiance on the other side.”
Produced by Kadis, “Strut” is the follow-up to the Los Angeles native’s mournful ballad “Blue Eyes.” The tear-jerker was released one year after her mother passed away following her battle with cancer.
In 2023, iyla released her EP Appetite For Disaster. The seven-track offering included the bop “Sad Bitch Bad Bitch” and features from Benny The Butcher and Symba.
Stream iyla’s new song “Strut” below.
