Julia Michaels has always had a way of making her songwriting feel like she knows what you’re going through — expect more of that on her new EP. On Tuesday, the musician announced Second Self, her new six-track EP out May 23, with Rolling Stone.
“These songs are raw, unfiltered, and some are way too specific. Some are fun and lighthearted and some are a bit more in your face,” she tells Rolling Stone. “I’ve loved these songs for months, years and [they] have held such a special place in my heart. I’m excited to be able to share them with my fans. It’s [songs] they can dance to or scream at an ex to.”
The new EP will be released under Michaels’ own label, GFY Records, which she says has made things “chaotic in the best way.” It will include her collaboration with Maren Morris, “Scissors,” and singles “GFY” and “Heaven II.”
“No one’s telling me to ‘tone it down’ or trying to keep me in a box, and that freedom is everything. But the flip side is, I’m responsible for every decision,” Michaels says. “I’m learning how to move with intention, how to bet on myself, trust myself, and how to protect my vision without compromise. It is equal parts extremely scary and really exciting.”
The EP artwork sees a painting of Michales in red lingerie, leaning against a furniture console. Her eyes look cartoonishly large as she looks through a rose’s vase. The visuals for the project take her sense of humor and “exaggerate it even more.”
“I wanted the visuals to match my personality. I never really had the opportunity to make videos that I really wanted to make, that are sarcastic, witty, kitschy, and a bit dark,” she says of working with Blythe Thomas. “I pulled from movies we both love and real-life scenarios we’ve both experienced … Blythe got me right away.”
Second Self Track List
1. “Heaven II”
2. “Scissors” feat. Maren Morris
3. “Try Your Luck”
4. “F.O.O.L.”
5. “GFY”
6. “Time”
