From the slopes of Lake Wanaka to the heart of Orange County, the artistic journey of Poor Girl Elysse is anything but conventional. Having only stepped into the music scene within the last year, the Californian producer is already making waves with a sound that is as visceral as it is personal. Her latest offering, ‘Lipstick Judas’, serves as a masterclass in high-octane emotional storytelling, blending the aggressive pulse of the 90s underground with a deeply modern sense of betrayal.
The track is a sonically-charged cocktail of industrial gabber and hardcore trance, hitting the listener with a "wonderfully chaotic" energy that refuses to let up. But beneath the distorted kick drums and "unrelenting" tempo lies a narrative rooted in real-world heartbreak. Poor Girl Elysse isn't just making dance music; she is documenting her "True Life Story" through a lens of electronic aggression.
‘Lipstick Judas’ specifically tackles the stinging betrayal of a former best friend. Drawing on their shared history at an all-girls Catholic school, Elysse weaves "cathedral-like tones" and "religious undertones" into the production. This juxtaposition of sacred imagery with the "venom" of industrial textures creates a haunting atmosphere that feels both ancient and futuristic.
Her influences are as eclectic as her background. During her time as a Professional Action Sport Skier in New Zealand, she found herself immersed in the world of Dub, a genre that still informs her rhythmic sensibilities today. However, it’s the industrial gabber of her teenage years in the 1990s that provides the core DNA of her current work.
"It feels right, and it’s what I personally love to listen to," she explains, noting that if her tracks aren't narrative-driven, they are built for the dancefloor.
Delivered with a powerful and personal edge, this release marks the arrival of a producer who isn't afraid to let her scars show through the static. It’s a fierce introduction to an artist who prioritises authenticity over polish, proving that sometimes the best way to process pain is to turn the volume up until the walls shake.
Stream ‘Lipstick Judas’ now on Soundcloud and follow Poor Girl Elysse on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industrial-charged updates.
