Kissing Death by MOTHICA via mothica.com
Kissing Death by MOTHICA brings another compelling installment to the phenomenal singer’s discography. The album is not just a collection of songs, but a cohesive visual project that upholds the singer’s regular themes of depression, addiction, suicidal ideation, and her attraction to the dark. Each song has its own corresponding music video, bringing each individual track to life. MOTHICA flawlessly executes her creative idea with vivid imagery and stunning visuals. Every song shares a unique story to build one overarching theme — falling in love with your demons. MOTHICA’s grim aesthetic is what initially drew me to the artist years ago, and her raw talent and ability to mesmerize audiences keep me on the edge, anticipating every new chapter.
Track List
The Void
Exit Plan
Another High
Doomed
Curiosity Killed the Moth
Red
The Reaper
Toxins
Afterlife
Mirage
Oblivion for Two
Kissing Death
MOTHICA is an alt-pop singer-songwriter from Oklahoma, now based in Los Angeles. The stage name “MOTHICA” is born from the artist’s fascination with moths and their attraction to the light, symbolizing her journey through the dark to get to the brighter side. It also represents her own self-destructive habits, like a moth flying into a flame. She made her debut in 2015 with her independently released EP, Mythic. Since then, she has released three LPs (Blue Hour, Nocturnal, Kissing Death) and four EPs (Mythic, Heavy Heart, Ashes, Forever Fifteen). MOTHICA is a self-made musician, releasing music through her own imprint, Heavy Heart Records, in partnership with Rise Records/BMG. Her style blends into other genres, from rock, dark pop, synthwave, goth, and electronica to create her individualistic sound. The artist writes songs that share relatable stories of mental health, anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal ideation, addiction, and other subjects that are often taboo. MOTHICA embraces these experiences in a way that is both cathartic for herself and comforting for listeners who relate. The singer has had several career highlights, including her single “VICES” hitting #2 on the Pop iTunes chart, her phenomenal track about sexual assault, “Buzzkill,” garnering over 51 million streams on Spotify, and her rendition of Bring Me The Horizon’s “Can You Feel My Heart” earning over 25 million streams. MOTHICA has been on the road consistently for the past two years, touring North America and Europe with Coheed & Cambria and Halestorm, as well as several festivals. This fall, she will be embarking on her headline tour in the US and the UK/EU, where multiple shows have already sold out or have been upgraded to larger venues. She will also perform at the Mayhem Festival in San Bernadino, CA in October! Check out her tour website for more information on dates and tickets, and follow her on all social media for any new announcements!
The Void
MOTHICA begins the album with a unique track. “The Void” is more of an interlude, containing a short lyrical intro before transitioning into an epic display of synth instrumentation. The lyrics introduce the dark nature of the album. Similarly to her last album, Nocturnal, the opening song packs a lot of punch in a smaller space. With “The Void” the singer once again brilliantly kicks off her latest project with an unforgettable song that effortlessly encapsulates the overarching theme of the eleven remaining tracks.
Exit Plan
MOTHICA has an uncanny way of creating the most devastating tracks about mental health and transforming them into absolute bangers. The production in the post-chorus of “Exit Plan” has been playing in my mind on repeat since Kissing Death was released. The infectious song divulges the singer’s history of suicidal ideation. MOTHICA has been vocal about these thoughts, including her attempt when she was fifteen. However, this song is calling back to the past, and how her depression consumed her. In the chorus, she sings the hook: “Made an exit plan, but I left it on the shelf.” This is a common theme not only in Kissing Death but throughout her entire discography. However, this time she has a whole new outlook on death. She ends the chorus with the iconic line: “But how do you live when you don’t wanna die anymore?” before bursting into the electrifying composition. With this switch-up, she leaves the audience contemplating the sudden shift in the music and lyrics.
Another High
MOTHICA effortlessly enthralls her audience with her stunning vocals and intense pop-rock productions in Kissing Death’s focus track. With distorted electric guitars and infectious melodies, “Another High” naturally became one of my favorites from the album. The song explores the singer’s struggle with addiction and using substances as a vice to numb the pain. The poignant lyrics give the listener an insight into the exhaustion that comes with fighting this battle. The song mirrors a lyric from the previous track when she sings: "How do you live when you don't wanna die anymore." The repetition of this line encapsulates a major theme of the album and represents where MOTHICA is currently at in her mental health. The connection is something I noticed immediately, leaving my jaw on the floor due to the brilliant songwriting. For a more detailed description of “Another High,” check back tomorrow for my song review!
Doomed
The first single from Kissing Death is also the most soul-crushing one. “Doomed” shares the singer’s natural draw to the darkness. The heart-wrenching ballad explores MOTHICA’s depression and trauma. While the artist is no stranger to songs about mental health, this song broke my heart in a brand new way. Rather than turning to the darkness after undergoing a life of hardship and pain, she was naturally predisposed to it — she was “doomed from the start.” Each one of her honest lyrics cuts through like a knife, from her relatable anecdote about being a former “gifted child” to the gut-wrenching truth of surviving child sexual abuse. Due to the stunning yet eerie soundscape and emotional lyrics, “Doomed” quickly became my most-played track in the month of March — despite being released 5 days before April began. I knew then that Kissing Death would be a masterpiece of a project.
Curiosity Killed the Moth
Released prior to the album, “Curiosity Killed the Moth” is one of the most satisfying songs that made me even more excited for the record. The track contains a dark guitar that remains steady as MOTHICA relays her own toxic habits. The name is a play on the popular idiom “curiosity killed the cat” but alters it to fit the singer’s persona. Throughout the track, she utilizes moth imagery and metaphors to describe her propensity to endanger herself. In the chorus, she sings one of my favorite lines of the album: “Me and Icarus... are cut from the same cloth.” Similarly to the legendary Greek myth, MOTHICA flies too close to the light and is destined to burn up. It is a clever comparison that showcases the singer’s impeccable songwriting and complex storytelling. Furthermore, the moth theme does not stop at the lyrics. In the intro, a moth can be heard buzzing before fading out for the music to take its place. Then, in the outro, it returns. But this time the buzzing abruptly ends with the sound of the wings igniting, like the insect flew into a bug zapper. This is just another meticulous detail inserted by MOTHICA that places her in my top three artists of all time.
Red
“Red” contains an intense alt-rock vibe with an electrifying guitar and powerful beats that instantly propel the listener into the incredible soundscape. The song continues with the theme of addiction and using vices to self-medicate. While MOTHICA knows this is not healthy and she wants to escape this vicious cycle, she cannot help but be pulled under. She uses drugs and alcohol as an escape from reality but loses control. And in the end, she will never learn until she sees red. She hates this side of herself, and yet she cannot let go. The intense nature of the production through the emotional lyrics and her passionate voice makes “Red” one of her most powerful songs.
The Reaper
“The Reaper” is a twisted kind of love song. It is dedicated to the King of Death himself. This is another track that was released prior to the album and contains the first glimpse of the album’s overall storyline – falling in love with Death. The song shows the toxic relationship she has with the Grim Reaper. In the second verse, she sings my favorite lines of the track: “It's not еasy to find// Somebody dependablе// I don't care that he thinks// My life is expendable// At least he's reliable.” These lyrics served as a sucker punch to the gut the first time I heard them. While she has gone through relationships that have ended in heartache, “the reaper” has always been constant. Even though “he” is hoping for a premature death. Despite these somber lyrics, the song contains an infectious dark-pop production in the classic MOTHICA fashion, making you want to dance while you cry.
Toxins
“Toxins” takes on a unique point of view. MOTHICA is no longer singing as herself but from the perspective of a venomous spider. The lyrics represent the arachnid hunting its prey, sneaking in before landing the final blow. While the song was originally created for a scrapped Halloween project, MOTHICA kept it for Kissing Death as she felt it encapsulated the idea. The spider symbolizes the grim reaper, sticking to the shadows and stalking MOTHICA. Even when she feels safe and happy, he is there just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to strike. The song has a heavy bass line that lulls the listener into the song before breaking into the infectious dark-pop production. The soundscape emulates the eerie, creepy vibe of the spooky season, making it a perfect song to play on Halloween.
Afterlife
With the outstanding alt-rock instrumentation, “Afterlife” instantly became one of my favorite MOTHICA songs. It was released prior to the album, and I immediately sent it to everyone I know begging them to add it to their music library. The intense soundscape automatically propels the listener into a cinematic action film – much like the one found in the corresponding music video. The production contains a perfect mix of the singer’s iconic sounds through mesmerizing synths, stunning vocals, and a fiery electric guitar. Once again, MOTHICA has showcased her flawless and unique genre that is solely her own.
Mirage
MOTHICA shares her experience with imposter syndrome and her fear that everything good is going to fall apart. Or that it was never even real to begin with. In the pre-chorus, she alludes to this idea with the lyrics: “No matter how far I’ll go// I’m still running away// Nobody here, on my own// I keep losing my faith.” She keeps fighting for the things she wants but is afraid of losing it all. Then in the chorus, she sings: “Oh my God, I’m caught in a dream// Don’t believe a thing that I see// Fooled me once with the fantasy// Then I slow it down and took it from me// Mirage.” Just like the illusion found in the desert, MOTHICA is in disbelief that the things she has always wanted are right in front of her. She is in denial that she can be happy and thinks everything is a lie. And it is only a matter of time before it is revealed to be a mirage. In the second verse, she continues with the notion of not ever being truly happy by admitting that she is always asking for more: a smaller waist, a shiny new car, or a star on the Walk of Fame. Her small wins are overlooked by her insecurities and inability to appreciate what she has. This is something that many people experience and with the illusion of social media, it is difficult to believe you are not alone. However, MOTHICA has once again come through with a candid song that explores her own mental health while reassuring audiences that they are not alone.
Oblivion for Two
MOTHICA continues the story of her toxic relationship with the Grim Reaper. “Oblivion for Two” shares the dark story of loving death until the very end. She knows this relationship will only lead her to oblivion but she cannot let go. In the chorus, she sings the lyrics: “Oblivion for two// Me and you, ‘til the colors fade” and “Don’t know what to do, like with you ‘til we disintegrate.” These lines are an excellent example of how depression feels. You feel lost and confused, unsure of what to do until you realize your life is slipping away. But there is nothing you can do and you feel helpless. In the outro, she switches the lyrics to reveal that she does not want to go – not yet. She sings: “Afraid I’ll fall if I look, but I’m not ready yet// It’s the end of the world, and we’re right at the ledge// But would it be so bad if we’re the only ones left?” She admits that she is no longer ready to slip into oblivion. This is a stark contradiction from the lyric in her 2020 track, “Forever Fifteen” where she sings: “I can’t take it all the damage done// Wanna sink into oblivion.” It shows how much MOTHICA has healed over the years and now she is in a good place. She is no longer ready to leave this world and wants to hold on to it longer, even if that means she is the only one to survive the apocalypse.
Kissing Death
The title track closes out the album beautifully, tying together all the themes into one musical bow. MOTHICA confesses that she is tired of “kissing death.” She finally wants to live and actively fears dying now. When she was younger, she felt the call of death, feeling as if her time was sooner rather than later. She references her suicide attempt at fifteen again with the lyric: “Thought fifteen was right, so happy I was wrong.” This transitions into the chorus where the twist of the hook is revealed. MOTHICA sings, “I’m sick of kissing death// I’d rather be friends.” She continues to express her disdain for the reaper, appalled that he began his relationship with her so young. In the second verse, she sings: “And then I grew up, what the fuck were you doing hanging out with all the kids like me?” Now that she is older, she understands how tragic falling in love with death so young was. She is grateful she survived and is now avoiding it as long as possible. Ending the album with this track provides the listener with a sense of hope, whether for themselves or for a loved one, that things will get better and someday death will stop coming around.
MOTHICA has a beautiful way of eloquently expressing how depression controls someone's life. It is all-consuming. A powerful force that is nearly impossible to fight back. She makes this concept easy to understand for those fortunate enough not to know what it is like and helps those who do feel less alone. Kissing Death shares her experience through clever metaphors and poetic imagery. Her honest lyricism about mental health is refreshing, something that is not touched on as much as it should be in pop music. She executes this concept flawlessly, showcasing her outstanding talent. With Kissing Death, MOTHICA has outdone herself (and this is saying a lot because Nocturnal was my most-played album two years in a row). She proves to be a force to be reckoned with and deserves to become one of the biggest names in music.
Written By Karlee Skipper
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