Master songwriter Hailey Whitters released “High On A Heartbreak,” the fourth single from her upcoming album, Corn Queen, on Friday. Unlike her other recent releases, this track ventures into moodier territory both sonically and thematically, showcasing Whitters at her most emotionally vulnerable.
It’s sung from the perspective of a girl revelling in her heartache and fully embracing the unhealthy behavior that comes with clinging onto past relationships. Whitters’ sleek vocals range from mellow and restrained in the verses to soaring in the choruses — the verses are led by a muted drum beat that provides a pop sensibility while being grounded by spare steel guitar and fiddle riffing.
“I wrote this song with David Garcia, Hillary Lindsey and Jessie Jo Dillon,” Whitters shared in a release. “I wanted to write the antithesis of a heartbreak song, one about a heartbreak feeling good vs. feeling bad – almost like a guilty pleasure. This song feels like something you’d put on to get ready for a fun night on the town after a breakup. It feels like owning the heartbreak rather than feeling sorry for yourself.”
Like much of Whitters’ music, “High On A Heartbreak” is an expert sonic blend of her influences. It’s colored by modern pop while being unmistakably country. If you’d like to hear it live, she has a few festival shows coming up this spring, summer and fall — check those out here, and be sure to pre-order Corn Queen (out June 6) at this link.