Leah Marie Mason Advocates for Female Friendship in “YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS”
Nashville-based singer and songwriter Leah Marie Mason has unveiled her latest musical endeavor just in time for Galentine's Day – a refreshing departure from her country roots into the realms of pop with the release of "YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS." Collaborating with songwriter Sara Bares and producer Simon Jonasson, Mason presents a catchy and relatable anthem that resonates with the spirit of female empowerment and celebrates the essence of genuine friendships.
Inspired by a real-life scenario, Mason shared the inspiration of the song, recounting the experiences of a close friend. “I have this stunning, gorgeous, smart, outgoing, funny as hell friend that had been seeing this guy for a few months, and it felt like every week I heard her tell me the most awful stories about how he treated her,” Mason says. “I was always so confused as to what her infatuation with him was because he sucked! She is the best person and friend and she deserves to be treated that way. The song is brutally honest, but I believe it’s for the better because that’s what a real friend does.”
“YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS” serves as a testament to the importance of authentic and supportive female friendships. The lyrics pull no punches, delivering a message of empowerment and self-respect. Mason's bold and unapologetic approach reflects the spirit of Galentine's Day – a day dedicated to celebrating the bonds between women.
As Mason embarks on this new chapter in her musical journey, “YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS” not only marks a departure from her country roots but also establishes her as a force to be reckoned with in the pop genre. With its infectious melodies and empowering lyrics, the song stands out as the ultimate anthem for anyone looking to celebrate Galentine's Day with a dash of honesty and a whole lot of girl power.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Thank you for sitting down and talking to Unpublished Magazine. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar yet, what inspires your artistic style and creative persona?
[LEAH]: I feel like I've been inspired by so much recently, like I love pop culture and pop music, but I also have been loving R&B music so much. I love Tyla, Sza and Victoria Monét. I draw inspiration from powerful women in that genre, so a combination of both genres. I also have been listening to a lot of Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You are about to release your single “YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS” tomorrow and I love how empowering and upbeat the energy is. What is the inspiration behind the song and why the decision to release around Valentine’s?
[LEAH]: I have this friend who I love so much and she’s so beautiful, smart and funny and embodies all these amazing qualities. She recently has been going out with a guy who’s the absolute worst and is a cheater, liar and manipulator. People can be so manipulative with their words and they can keep people coming back, so I feel like this song was written out of tough love. I feel like a good friend is someone that's honest with you and straight up with you and only wants what's best for you. I feel like even though it's very direct, I feel like that's what it takes. This song was written out of anger and love for my friends.
[UNPUBLISHED]: This single is also more pop-leaning rather than your usual country soundscaping. What did the creative process look like for “YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS?”
[LEAH]: I had met a producer in Nashville and he was from Sweden. He was here for a pop writing camp with Warner Chappell. We're both at Warner Chappell for publishing and songwriting. We had worked together for like four days in a row, and I loved everything we did. It opened my eyes to this whole new world of pop. I ended up flying to Sweden to write the rest of the album which was crazy. I really combined the songwriting, lyrical aspects that come along with country music with the production and that side of pop. I feel like us working on this together brought out this really eclectic combination from my roots in country and his world of pop soundscaping.
[UNPUBLISHED]: This is your first release of the year and follows your debut EP Honeydew & Hennessey. What can listeners expect from you in this new era of music?
[LEAH]: I feel like this new era of music is very much me. I feel like I always held back a bit production-wise and creative-wise, and pushing the boundaries on that aspect because I felt so confined to the genre of country. I feel with this release, I’m fully myself and every decision that I made for the sake of the song being the best, I thought it would be best to not stick to any specific niche or sound. I'm just excited for listeners to hear this side of me that feels fully myself.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Have you taken any new approaches or experimented more either lyrically or sonically with this new era of music compared to Honeydew & Hennessey?
[LEAH]: Definitely experimenting sonically and visually for sure, like I've never worked with a pop producer before and he's done crazy stuff. It was so fun to work with him and play around with the production. Sonically, it’s completely different from anything that I’ve done before.
[UNPUBLISHED]: If you can describe this new era of music you are entering into in three words, which three would you choose?
[LEAH]: Rage, clever and self-deprecating.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Speaking of Valentine’s Day, what are some of your favorite ways to show self-love and care to yourself?
[LEAH]: I love getting my hair done and I love not having to wash and do my hair because that's like a chore. It's like an arm workout every time I have to do my full routine. I love buying makeup and getting my nails done is a form of self-love.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is some relationship advice you wish someone has given you or you could give your younger self in terms of navigating the dating world?
[LEAH]: I feel if he's showing any signs of disinterest, he is disinterested, and you probably should leave him and don't think you need to make him like you more. It's not gonna happen. It's not gonna work, and you shouldn't want someone that you have to convince to like you. I've been there and that's embarrassing behavior.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like that you would like to share with Unpublished?
[LEAH]: I feel like it's a fresh start to a new era, and as scary as that is, I'm definitely entering into a new era of my career which is exciting and daunting. I'm excited for everyone to hear the new music and see people's reactions to this music that I'm so proud of.
