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Photo: Issa Scanlon

In ayleen valentine's second single of the year, “sex symbol,” she continues to push the boundaries of what music can be—not only pulling it off but shining brightly through an abstract lens. In “sex symbol,” valentine achieves natural shock value by inverting expectations based on the song title, her previous work, the separation of vulgarity and intimacy, and more.

valentine speaks on the long journey of making the track, revealing that “'sex symbol' started with a guitar loop I wrote five years ago. I was getting stuck with the song until I started to sing it in a throaty way I'd never done before. It became a raunchy but pure love song and it’s something I’ve never heard before." Because of its rejection of rules, the track demands attention by intertwining harsh and soft in a way the average listener is not accustomed to.

“sex symbol” is a love song that embraces classic tropes, such as being someone’s tiny dancer and a best friend to their sister, while also celebrating the erotic aspects of romantic desire. The track comes in easily with a slow guitar strum until valentine breaks the tension with the captivating opening line, “I give it up to you like a whore.” Throughout the track, we hear what some people may perceive as “vulgar” lyrics, with the cadence of someone broken and begging for intimacy. The shocking yet natural switch up from vulgarity to more “appropriate” confessions is what makes the song so special—singular to not only valentine’s discography but music as a whole.

“sex symbol” contextualizes sexual fantasy without shame but instead, embraces the romantic eroticism that comes with true desire, deeming it as sacred as religion. For a female artist who writes and produces her own music, valentine’s pursuit of challenging musical structure and lyrical expectations is extremely empowering, and “sex symbol” proves that she’s not only capable of breaking the rules but thrives when the boundaries are nonexistent.

Watch the "sex symbol" video below: