By Michael Guarino

Gillian Heidi’s youthfully messy new single, “desperate,” perfectly encapsulates why she’s being called “the next voice of Gen Z.” At just 16 years old, the Boston-based rising pop star has already released a hugely successful EP (which got her signed to the same talent management label as Billie Eilish) and is on track to release her debut album, 3am, later this year. 

Her latest release reveals her striking artistic similarities with Eilish -- Heidi’s indie tone, vocal grit, and reliance on eerie melodies emulate the work of her peers, rendering a sound that’s distinctive among young artists and popular with young listeners. With minimalist, classic pop production, the song’s soft, repetitive piano chords and conventional drum pattern make it difficult to distinguish the verses from the choruses. When these elements are combined with a free-flowing, conversational lyrical attitude, “desperate” begins to sound more like a jumbled, conflicted inner monologue in which Heidi longs for another lover while trapped in a relationship with someone else. The visuals for the single appropriately convey that feeling: in the cover art, the title is spelled out as if it appeared on a ransom note. Heidi sings, “When I’m in his arms, it’s you in my mind,” and exclaims, “Something about your danger makes me fall for your taboo.” As cliche as the sentiment feels, “desperate” culminates in a hard-hitting, bass-driven bridge-outro hybrid reminiscent of the ending of Eilish’s “bad guy”: it underscores Heidi’s willingness to risk it all for her forbidden fling, and the gravity of this musical moment sharply contrasts with the juvenile relationship that the song is likely referencing. Heidi’s ability to express such maturity and poise so early in her life and her career will surely serve her well as her artistry continues to evolve.