Melbourne dark pop group Excuse For An Exit recently shared their rallying cry of feminine rage and protest with new single ‘SNAP‘. On the track, vocalist Edelle Merson found a breaking point, and channeled her rage into a track that refuses to stay silent. ‘SNAP‘ explores the slow-burning emotional toll of living in a world riddled with betrayal, political unrest and media-fuelled desensitisation. What begins as a deeply personal release soon reveals itself as a refusal to accept the lies, oppression, and global atrocities that continue to unfold around us.
Sonically, ‘SNAP‘ is a turning point for the band. Produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Lalic (Windwaker, RinRin), the new tune sees Excuse for an Exit incorporate screamed vocals for the very first time. The band deliver a sound that’s dark and heavy, yet punchy and unapologetically pop, perfect for fans of Grandson, PENI PARKER, Pussy Riot and MUDRAT.
We caught up with Edelle to chat about the new single; unpacking the moment that pushed her over the edge, the blurred lines between political and personal betrayal and how important music as a form of resistance is.
‘SNAP‘ feels like a breaking point for you, both on a grand scale and personally. What was the moment or event that made you ‘snap’ for this track?
The urge to snap grows in me every time I witness another horror on my screen. It’s this slow build up until it’s all I can think about. I knew that if I didn’t let the rage out, it would turn inward and I refuse to accept that.
You’ve said the song responds to the rise of fascism and global atrocities, what role do you think music can play in confronting these kinds of injustices?
I have been moved and inspired by watching other artists, like Grandson, PENI PARKER and Mudrat, taking similar stands. Fascists want us to feel alone and uncertain in order to divide and conquer, but music helps us find commonality and solidarity which gives us the strength to resist.
There’s a tension in the track between political and personal, how do those two things intersect for you in this song?
SNAP’s lyrics have a double meaning, as they can be turned toward a personal betrayer or a larger oppressor. When you’ve been lied to, you feel so powerless, like a pawn in somebody else’s game. There’s a moment of realisation where something breaks inside of you. That feeling is the same, whether it’s in an intimate or political context.
Do you think rage can be a form of clarity that forces truth into the open? Is that something you were chasing in ‘SNAP’?
Absolutely! ‘SNAP’ symbolises a mental line in the sand for me. There are things I will no longer accept, both in my personal life and politically.
Do you see this track as a standalone emotional purge, or the start of a wider conversation you want to keep having in your music?
This is definitely part of my evolution. It’s taken a lot of inner work to find the courage to speak up. It’s intimidating but I have a platform and I want to use it with intention. The world needs truth and compassion right now, and I’m done biting my tongue.
What would you say to listeners who might not be aware of the issues you’re referencing in the track?
This song has layers. At first, it feels personal, but once you know it’s political, it hits differently. I used sweet vocal tones to represent feminine civility. But once the music explodes, so does my restraint. I kept picturing a peaceful protest boiling over into chaos as I wrote.
Stream ‘SNAP‘ here
Catch Excuse For An Exit live with Cordiform at 2 Pizza 2 Planet in Melbourne this weekend. Remaining tickets here
