Lesbian Jesus, Hayley Kiyoko, is back with her latest single and “For The Girls” is the queerest track yet from her upcoming sophomore album Panorama, which she’s announced will be out on July 29 through Atlantic.
The track is an electro tinged pop bop with a nod to the funkier quirks that make Janelle Monae such an interesting star. In a way it’s a reimagining and much bigger budget version of Kiyoko’s early hit “Girls Like Girls”, both with their messages of female empowerment and love.
Kiyoko says: “I love being a woman, and women have always been a massive influence on my life. ‘For The Girls’ is an anthem celebrating that love, highlighting our strength, beauty, and vulnerability. The music video is meant to reflect that celebration with a sense of humour and an expansive take on whose romantic story gets told. It was so much fun to direct, especially since it’s a nod to one of my favourite reality shows of all time. I wanted the music video to give representation to all of us searching for love while not taking ourselves too seriously. Being surrounded by queer people of many different gender identities and making art that feels relevant to us was the greatest gift. It was a reminder of how resilient this community is and how strong and confident we feel being our authentic selves together. No matter how you identify or who you love, I hope this summer bop makes you feel sexy and empowered.”
The video, directed by Kiyoko herself, is a parody of the Bachelor and a nod to Kiyoko’s own relationship with past Bachelor contestant Becca Tilley, who arrives at the end of the video. Clearly, Kiyoko isn’t taking life too seriously and both the track and video show the joy that comes with living your authentic life.
Co-written by Kiyoko, Marc Lomax (Justin Bieber) and Michelle Buzz (Kylie Minogue) the effervescent “For The Girls” comes on the heels of “Found My Friends” and “Chance” and offers fans a glimpse of the self-love that Panorama is set to offer.
Panorama arrives on July 29 through Atlantic (pre-order/save). You can find Hayley Kiyoko on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
