Montreal-based singer-songwriter Laraw is back with her newest single, “Scissors.” This track is biting, honest, and punk-leaning, but her steady string of releases over the last few years have showcased different sounds and sides of her artistry. “I Should Call The Cops” is a little jazzy, a little trap-leaning, and very WWAFA, WDWG-era Billie Eilish, while “Pretty Necklace” is immediately more pop… a mix of an old and, likely, more unknown Camila Cabello song called “OMG” and some Zara Larsson-like adlibs and production moments. 

2020’s “Breakup Tutorial_V2,” her best song to date, is a first dose of the heavy guitar-driven music she has been cultivating. Her vocal approach is less airy and more forward, but are produced in a way that brings out the pain and desperation in the lyrics. She expands her range here as well, unleashing powerful moments of unbridled emotion. 

“Scissors” shows Laraw, who sings in multiple languages due to her Lebanese and Moroccan descent, diving headfirst into the pop-punk sound. While it seems like every artist is trying to tap into the bitter nostalgia of that genre these days, therefore making it less of a novelty than it was a year ago, Laraw successfully nails the feelings of hurt and emptiness she set out to portray in the track. The lyrics depict knowingly getting stabbed in the back by someone you care about and doing anything to process it, while, for whatever reason, still trying to keep them around; “Stole your jacket from the bar so you wouldn’t go too far. Oh, you cut me into pieces.”

She even knows she wasn’t her lovers only priority, delivering a stinging line in the second verse; “Boy I hate to say this, I was just another kiss. Another bitch on your list.” Despite that, she still tried to make it work. Instead of running away from it and focusing on herself, she continues to go back for more potential abuse, asking, multiple times, “Why’d you cut me into pieces?” Clearly, she is seeking closure, but it may not be as emotionally fulfilling as she’d like it to be. 

Her years of studying music production and sound design are evident in the overall presentation, which is rich and gritty. Vocally, I wish she had shifted from a pained, longing vocal to one that matches the dirtier vibe, but that is a small note. 

You can stream “Scissors” here:

You can follow Laraw on social media here: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Spotify