In the midst of the chaotic and bittersweet culmination of a failed love story, Alex Ray pours her feelings into her new single, “BOY YOU AIN’T.” She leaves a trail of smoke behind her words and lets go of all her leftover anger and resentment in a single track.
Alex’s new release is a passionate commentary on relationships and the hidden simplicity of dissatisfaction. With this trap-infused track and blunt lyrics, it almost seems like she’s not really singing to the person who inspired the song, but rather to herself—getting something off her chest.
PHOTO: SHANTELL CRUZ
Alex says that her main goal with this track was to be unapologetic—expressing feelings and emotions exactly as they are. Tired of the usual banter about women “overreacting” and being forced to suppress their emotions, she wanted to show herself and the situation as they are—raw, authentic, and messy. She channels anger and frustration, and gracefully introduces us to the concept of hurtful truths and not being the “bigger person” for someone who doesn’t deserve that maturity.
To encapsulate the true meaning of female rage—and with the help of the songwriting talents of saywhen and Spencer Scardina—Alex sat down in the middle of her kitchen and jotted down every single thing she hated about the person the song is about. After making sense of the situation and getting a clear idea of what kind of song this was going to be, they just made it work from there. Rightfully so, “BOY YOU AIN’T” is an upfront, unequivocal track that captures how heartbreak feels once the honeymoon phase has faded away.
Complemented by her powerful vocals and brusque energy, Alex crafted a song that is not only enjoyable to listen to, but also relatable. Accompanying this energetic track, the music video introduces us to a tamer side of the song. It’s a series of shots showing the singer in a one-on-one with the camera, behind which her current partner helps her feel more comfortable in her own skin. In spite of being an emotional track, infused with outrage and exasperation, it feels natural and light.
Although her voice fits well within the alternative rock genre, Alex has expressed that she doesn’t intend to stay in a single lane. Her ultimate goal is to explore different sounds and styles, such as traditional Americana and possibly folk. Her sound is inspired by artists like Conan Gray, Taylor Swift, and 5 Seconds of Summer. She has shared her admiration for their work and how they explore not only explosive, upbeat songs full of life, but also their “easy listens”—a one-on-one with the audience in the most bare, vulnerable way.
Her first EP is set to be released this fall, and it features songs that, in her words, “are not expected.” From the unapologetic “BOY YOU AIN’T” to tracks where she flips the table and admits to being the one at fault in a relationship, Alex promises a dynamic listening experience. Loyal to her rock era, she plans to continue releasing fierce, brutal songs—though there may be some “surprises.” Not stopping there, Alex also plans to release more music videos in the near future. Certainly something you won’t want to miss.