Hypnotic (song)

"Hypnotic"
A kaleidoscope of blues, yellows, and reds combine in a visual behind the song's title and respective artist.
Single by Zella Day
from the album Zella Day and Kicker
Released February 17, 2015
Format
Recorded 2014
Genre
Length 2:56
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Wax Ltd.
Zella Day singles chronology
"East of Eden"
(2014)		 "Hypnotic"
(2015)		 "High"
(2015)

"Hypnotic" is a song recorded by American singer Zella Day for her second extended play, Zella Day (2014), and her second studio album, Kicker (2015). It was released as the latter record's lead single on February 27, 2015 as a digital download through Pinetop and Hollywood Records. The recording was written by Day, Xandy Barry, James Bailey, and Ryan Ogren, with Barry and Wally Gagel's team called Wax Ltd. performing its production. Musically an alternative, folk, and pop song, the recording's lyrics deal with the protagonist begging her lover for mutual respect.

The song was highly regarded by contemporary music critics as a standout. It was also appreciated for bringing the sadcore genre to light. An accompanying music video for "Hypnotic" was issues ten days after its after physical release, and features the singer bathing in a bath tub with a horse, dancing in a room, and driving a car through the desert.

Background and composition

When Day was 14, she was approached by Pinetop Records' management team to work with Xandy Barry and Wally Gagel's production team called Wax Ltd.. However, she endured a hiatus after the record label expressed doubts of her being too opinionated for her age; after waiting a year, she joined BMG Rights Management and returned to work with the duo to begin production on several tracks. Together, they continued creating new music and would eventually write "Hypnotic" along with sognwriters James Bailey and Ryan Ogren.[1][2] "Hypnotic" was written by Day, Barry, Bailey, and Ogren, while production was solely handled by Wax Ltd.[3] On February 17, 2015, the single was released to the iTunes Store as part of their "Free Singles of the Week" program where songs are eligible to consumers without pay for limited availability.[4]

Musically, "Hypnotic" is a combination of sound from the alternative, folk, and pop genres.[4] To achieve the multi-effects, Day sings in a "siren-like" tone that reflects that of the sadcore genre.[5] In the recording's lyrics, Day begs for a lover to feel the same respect for her as she does for him. She sings in the chorus: "You do it to me so well / Hypnotic taking over me / Make me feel like someone else / You got me talking in my sleep" before admitting "I don't wanna come back down / I don't wanna touch the ground / Pacific Ocean dug so deep / Hypnotic taking over me".[4]

Critical reception

Ethan Germann from Atwood acclaimed Day's choice of releasing "Hypnotic" as a single and complimented the soaring chorus and captivating vocals.[4] Emilee Atkinson, a student columnist for Weber State University's The Signpost singled out the track for bringing a positive light to sadcore music; she claimed: "for listeners who aren't normally fans of this type of music, Zella Day is a good place to start."[5] Jacob Brown from Vogue recognized the song as a "pop gem" and compared its rhythm to that of Christina Aguilera's and the lyrics to Lana Del Rey's works.[6]

Music video

An accompanying music video for the single was released on February 27, 2015 through her official Vevo account. The visual was directed by Gianennio Salucci and produced by Rod Hamilton.[7] Day spoke of the symbolism within the plot:

Yeah, but there’s a lot of symbolism in that video. The horse represents this pure, unjaded, unfazed love. In the video, we are both, me and my love interest, kind of going through phases of having the horse in our possession. In the beginning of the video, he has the horse, and then I do. It’s kind of this fight, it’s just a war between us, and Mickey kind of represents what we’re trying to win. Then you have the black snake that kind of represents tainted love.[1]

Live performances

When touring in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the singer performed "Hypnotic" live inside of Studio C at the KTCZ-FM broadcast hall.[8]

Charts

Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9] 25
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 28

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States February 17, 2015 Digital download Pinetop, Hollywood
Sweden[11] 2015 CD Universal Music
United States[12] January 15, 2016 Vanic Remix Pinetop, Hollywood

References

  1. 1 2 Wass, Mike (June 26, 2015). "Zella Day Talks Debut LP 'Kicker,' Accepting Her Roots & Mickey, The White Horse: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  2. ↑ Zella Day (EP) (CD liner notes). Zella Day. Pinetop. 2014. BVPR004932.
  3. ↑ Kicker (CD liner notes). Zella Day. Pinetop, Hollywood. 2015. D002007302.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Germann, Ethan (October 21, 2015). "Today's Song: Join In On The Obsession With Zella Day's "Hypnotic"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Atkinson, Emilee (July 20, 2015). "Zella Day dazzles listeners". The Signpost. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  6. ↑ Brown, Jacob (January 23, 2016). "Zella Day Performs a Heartbreaking Ballad About Alcoholism". Vogue. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Hypnotic (Official Video) – Zella Day". Vevo. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Zella Day performs "Hypnotic" in Studio C". KTCZ-FM. October 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Zella Day – Chart history" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for Zella Day. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Zella Day – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Zella Day. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Hypnotic" (CD single liner notes). Zella Day. Universal Music. 2015.
  12. ↑ ""Hypnotic (Vanic Remix)" – Single by Zella Day on iTunes". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 15, 2016.
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