The young Doncaster-born popstar, Lucy Roberts, is back with a new track, which highlights her potential as a fresh face on the music scene. Her dedication to colourful lyricism and captivating tunes stands her in good stead when it comes to catching the eye of the music industry. While ‘You Broke Me First’ took on a stripped-back approach in the usual heartbreak anthem style, ‘Red Flag’ embodies feminine rage that any audience can relate to.
In an industry saturated with songs under three minutes long, it’s refreshing to see an artist flesh out a track. With ‘Red Flag’ coming in at over four minutes long, Roberts gives listeners enough time to become absorbed by the music.
The track starts off with a simple acoustic guitar riff. ‘Red Flag’ slowly introduces its instrumental backing with a Sam Fender-esque electric guitar, steady drum beat and light bassline. The song’s first verse allows the audience to settle into the track before being thrown off by Roberts’ powerful vocals that shine throughout the chorus.
The lyrics to ‘Red Flag’ explore the universal experience of falling for a man who’s a bit of a terrible person. Rage and humour are mixed together to create a quintessential break-up anthem: “You said we were more but now this is a drag / Well, thank god cos’ you’re a fucking red flag”. The tongue-in-cheek comment of “he’s not cute, he’s just 6 foot 2” is a personal favourite.
The standout moment of the track has to be the bridge. The intense build-up of the song’s instrumentals matches Roberts’ increasing anger, as she sings the poignant lyrics while oozing emotion: “I’m dramatic and erratic and I romanticise / What did you expect when you said you get lost in my eyes?” The Olivia Rodrigo-esque delivery of the bridge ensures that ‘Red Flag’ is the perfect addition to your summer playlist.
‘Red Flag’ provides its audience with a cathartic listening experience. The track with its all-too-relatable lyrics is perfect for screaming in the car after a bad break-up. Lucy Roberts’ ability to encapsulate the fury that comes with the breakdown of a relationship that was never good for you will be sure to make her a household name in pop music in the future.
Words by Amy Britton
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