Magdalene – Tough Love
Magdalene today shares a new single and video, “Tough Love,” co-produced by Magdalene, Cole Haden of Model/Actriz and Danny Goliger. Magdalene is the closest thing we’ve got to the performance of pop drama since 1980s and 90s MTV video marathons; the best fresh version of a grime pop trailblazer that money could buy, though a DIY mentality brings so much more to the table.
”Tough Love” tells the story of the impossible decision to end a relationship with an addict in order for them to save themself. Sometimes tough love is the only way through to an addict’s recovery; tough love is real love. Sonically, it’s almost like if “Sexy Back” had been written for Madonna in her most vivid era; specifically for a very sweaty dance floor that you leave with glassy eyes caked in mascara at 7am.
Of the track, Magdalene candidly shares, “As an addict myself I know that tough love is sometimes the only way to get through to someone, and that real true love is being able to let someone go if that is what is going to serve them in that moment. This song is a desperate plea to a lover begging for them to save themselves so you can be together.”
She continues, “The ‘Tough Love’ music video is meant to represent the seemingly glamorous life of stardom and the crash out that inevitably comes with putting on a face for the public while real life is still happening to you. We referenced old Hollywood showgirls and the electric color grade of the 80’s in contrast with using water to symbolize the weight of the world crashing down in a desperate performance from Magdalene.”
It’s hard to grasp that Magdalene has only released a few singles, as the polish on the production lends itself to a much more storied catalogue. Previous single “Lucky Girl” paints the dancer as God and men as her followers, and “Sensitive” leans into the perpetual sacrifice that all women give, with consistent imagery of crucifixion.
Meanwhile “Hot Shot” is a cathartic Bob Fosse release… here to cause a black swan-esque rivalry set in a paparazzi-laden desert, with the video acting as a bombastic take on the classic pop star in the dance studio trope.
Magdalene doesn’t go by that name by any accident; not only did her own mother name her after Mary Magdalene, but as an artist she is highly attuned to the depth of meaning. Given that there’s often very little return on all the sacrifices a musician makes to entertain and provide a delusional escape, she’s got no time to do anything but make that sacrifice for pop stardom. She’s put it all on the line.
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