Jessie Reyez started off 2018 by adding one of the highest accolades to her resume, winning Breakthrough Artist at the Juno Awards and performing “Figures, A Reprise” with fellow Toronto artist Daniel Caesar. For the first time since then, after collaborating with BLVK JVCK and writing “One Kiss” with Calvin Harris for Dua Lipa, Reyez returns today with the brand new song “Body Count.”
Meant as an anthem to empower, the brutally honest track asserts that women (and men) are equally allowed to embrace their sexuality rather than be modest. It’s a return to form for Reyez, of sorts, with simply her raw vocals over acoustic guitar.
“Odds are that goodbyes are coming soon,” she sings to a lover. “So maybe you should put a rubber on your heart before it breaks.”
On the track and upcoming video, Reyez says: “The luxury of not getting judged for ‘loving’ who you want to love should be given to everyone – including women. I feel like so often we’re encouraged to keep our ‘body count’ low, where as men get high fives for a high number; which is cool, do you, but I think the double standard is wack and women should get high fives too lol. I’m not saying go f** the world – I’m saying f** the unfair judgement.”
This coming July, Jessie will support Halsey as the opening act on her North American tour. She also has a full festival schedule this spring and summer, starting with Flyover Festival tomorrow (May 5) in Kansas followed by sets at Bonnaroo Music Festival, BergenFest, Magnifique Society Festival, Common Ground Festival, Ottawa Blues Fest, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands.
Check out the lyric video for “Body Count” below.
