Jessie Murph hit the scene in 2023 with her first full-length album, ‘drowning.’ Since then, she has recorded collaborations with big-name stars such as Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims, and Bailey Zimmerman. With each recording, Jessie Murph seems to reinvent herself, and that proves to be true with her latest installment, ‘Sex Hysteria.’
The album starts with “Gucci Mane,” a fast-paced and well-strummed autobiography that often refers to her “shitty father.” Here, Murph opens up about her shortcomings but refuses to go too deep by “writing her way around it.”
When it comes to opening up to those around us, it is easier to create a barrier so that no one can get too close. But the taller those barriers become, the more we become trapped.
The next track, “1965,” sets the tone for the album soundwise. Old-school commercials open with a bit of comedy and reminiscing. Murph’s mighty croon echoes through the speaker as she begs her partner to love her like it is 1965.
Many things have changed over the last several decades. One can’t help but feel that even relationships have changed as well.
In the past, love seemed to be more sacrificial and protective. Nowadays, love is just disposable. It is easy to imagine why someone would want to be loved like it was 1965.
Moving forward, “A Little Too Drunk” unfurls like a Disney song with a beautiful melody, but once Murph opens her mouth, there is no princess in the vicinity. There isn’t much in the way of hidden meanings here. The artist is very drunk, possibly too drunk for love.
While alcohol in small amounts can enhance an evening, too much goes a long way in ruining the night.
Following up, “Touch Me Like A Gangster” emphasizes Jessie Murph’s bad girl persona, mentioning her enjoyment of whips and chains, as well as her fondness for being tied up. The fun feel of the song is betrayed by its ultra-dark lyrics. You might want to think twice before singing along to this song in public.
The upbeat tempo makes this song an instant hit, but a bizarre choice for a single. I hope never to hear some school kids singing “this bed ain’t gonna break itself.”
Next is “Heroin,” the first ballad of the album, and yes, it is beautiful. Murph sounds broken as she speaks her pain into the microphone. Loving her partner is like a strange addiction.
Like drugs, we can get addicted to people and the way they make us feel. Even when they start to smother us, we can’t seem to let go. Love can help or hurt us — that is why we must choose our company responsibly.
“I Like How I Look,” the follow-up track, is extremely haunting. Murph speaks of another partner whom she believes she looks good with. Unfortunately, listening to the verses reveals this man is far from good for her. With lyrics like “you cut up cocaine and I look away,” big red flags are flying.
Physical attraction is important in every relationship, but one can’t overlook negative habits just because the other person is good-looking. That is just a setup for failure and heartbreak.
Continuing onward, “The Man That Came Back” is a truly heartbreaking song about the artist’s father trying to make amends. Here, Jessie Murph dives headfirst into her father’s past.
“Blacked out, face down, asleep in your car. And the violence, the sirens that rang in the dark.” These words paint such a vivid picture of the artist’s distress that continues to weigh heavily on her mind. The ever-present agony is apparent in the sound of her innocent voice.
The title track, “Sex Hysteria,” greatly changes the tempo from the last several songs, giving us a beat to bop our heads to. While the verses stay calm with just a simple chord, the refrain brings a more complex beat that makes you want to get out of your seat and shake your booty. The danceability continues through to “Donuts.”
While these songs seem slightly out of place on the album, it is nice to have a change of pace and a simple reminder that Jessie Murph is nowhere near a one-trick pony.
Further down, “Blue Strips” returns the album to form, circling back to the 60’s vibe that it almost perfectly captures. The song speaks of getting even with an ex.
When things fall apart in a relationship, there are many different roads to recovery. Murph chooses revenge over anger.
Broken hearts can lead us all to do things totally out of character. While revenge is rarely the right option, it can help make amends, producing a salve for the wound.
Truth be told, the healing effects of these sorts of acts only last on the surface. The real damage still lies beneath.
The penultimate song on the album, “Best Behavior,” displays Murph’s ability to rap. Up until this moment on the album, we’ve heard her pour her heart out vocally by singing, crooning, and practically crying her eyes out. By adding more than a couple of smooth flowing lines, it truly shows the artist’s wide range of talent.
The lyrics seem quite sexual in nature, similar to “Touch Me Like A Gangster,” but this time around, there isn’t a lot of second-guessing that needs to be done. It is hard to decipher the lyrics, “I’ll fuck your bitch in elevators,” in any other way but face value.
The final track, “Ur Bill Is Big As Fuck,” brings back the danceable beat absent over the last several tracks. With the gamut of emotions displayed on this album, this song is the one that truly captures Jessie Murph’s anger. “Shit was funny; funny, it ain’t fucking funny now,” captures a mood far from happy.
More like resentment with a twist of regret.
‘Sex Hysteria’ is a standout album among today’s pop artists, but the question remains: is it a contender for album of the year? With the likes of Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and even Morgan Wallen, Jessie Murph leaves an imprint on the music world with hits like “Gucci Mane” and “Touch Me Like A Gangster.”
Even with the songs that don’t quite hit banger status, such as “Ur Bill Is Big As Fuck,” one can’t deny the outstanding effort pushed forward on the production and quality. Let’s face it, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta couldn’t hope to perform most of these songs half as well as Murph.
So yes, ‘Sex Hysteria’ should definitely be within the competition — fighting its way to the top and holding its own. It may not have the star power to be recognized by name alone, but there is enough to please nearly every listener.
What is your favorite track off of ‘Sex Hysteria’? Let us know in the comments below!
Listen to ‘Sex Hysteria.’
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Charles E. Henning
Self-proclaimed "entertainment guru" Charles E Henning fills his free time reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. While not always up on the latest trends, he is consistently willing to dissect the themes of pop culture.