Sky Ferreira Holds Us By The ‘Leash’ In Surprise New Single

Los Angeles-native and indie-pop Tumblr icon Sky Ferreira has emerged from her two-year release hiatus with a surprise new track, ‘Leash’.

The single is featured on the soundtrack for the highly anticipated upcoming A24 film ‘Babygirl’, starring Nicole Kidman as a CEO who has an affair with her intern, Harris Dickinson. Ferreira revealed in a Vogue interview that she resonated deeply with the film’s themes of self-destruction and growth, despite the differences between her life and the characters’ on-screen. 

Although not her first song to be featured in a feature film (‘Easy’ in ‘Baby Driver’), 'Leash’ marks a new chapter in Ferreira's career as her first independent release since parting ways with Capitol Records in late 2023. The parallels between Ferreira's career struggles and the narrative of reinvention in ‘Babygirl’ suggest that the song may be a statement of resilience through all she has faced.

Co-written with Jorge Elbrecht (who’s previously worked with Wild Nothing and Ariel Pink) and produced alongside Elbrecht and Evan Voytas (who’ve worked with Shawn Mendes and Chris Brown), ‘Leash’ feels like a direct descendent of Ferreira’s cult-favourite ‘Night Time, My Time’, while also allowing space for her to grow lyrically. The song's emotionally raw lyrics and production tap into her signature grungy, crunchy aesthetic while adding a glossy, cinematic edge. The track builds slowly, layering Ferreira’s haunting vocals over pulsating synths and a driving beat that feels distinctly 80s-inspired.

Lines like “Engraved onto your memory / Why does leaving you mean leaving me?” cut deep, showcasing Ferreira’s ability to blend vulnerability with her consistent lyrical theme of defiance throughout her discography. 

Other lyrics such as “You thought I wouldn’t notice / Eternally devoted”, are reminiscent of the first era of Ferreira, when she was singing songs like ‘Ghost’ and ‘Everything is Embarrassing’ as an iconic Tumblr girl. This is why her return has been so eagerly awaited. ‘Leash’ feels like a declaration that Ferreira is here to stay and she is ready to push boundaries like ‘Babygirl’. 

Ferreira confirmed that her elusive sophomore album, ‘Masochism’, is "now set for launch" in 2025.

Molly Spencer

@mollyspencr

Image: ‘Leash’ Official Single Cover

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