Mila Degray shines in addictive new bubble-grunge track “Two Bridges”

24 September 2024, 02:15 | Written by Camryn Teder

(Tracks)

(Mila Degray)

Inspired by acts such as riot grrl group Pretty Sick, Soccer Mommy, and British songwriter Beabadoobee, music is a means of catharsis for Florida-born singer Mila Degray. Now based out of New York City, Degray finds liberation in crafting honest lyrics framed by a distinctly percussive rock sound, just like some of her favorite artists.

Mila Degray’s appearance in Charli xcx’s music video “Guess” had some music fans going crazy. The 20-year-old’s tousled blond hair had many people mistaking her for indie-rock legend Sky Ferreira, ironic since the two boast a similarly addictive sound. While Degray might be getting mistaken for big stars now because of her style, her music probably isn’t far behind. She’s been crafting strong singles across the realm of alt-rock and shoegaze since her first track “Ragdoll” came out in 2021. If you want to listen for yourself, start with Degray’s latest single "Two Bridges".

This new track comes ahead of the release of Degray’s album Silver Meteor 98, which is named after the train that took her from her home of Florida to New York two years ago. Featuring matter-of-fact lyrics, rolling guitars, and stark hits of on a drum kit, “Two Bridges” is a rhythmic dance-pop track steeped in bubble-grunge. The cracking synth builds in layers throughout, highlighting the urgency in the lyrics which detail Degray’s growing confusion with her relationship. Slowly she comes to the realization that her feelings of love are not reciprocated, and that really, she’s being used. “You call yourself my friend but this isn’t what friends do,” she sings.

With a strong percussive background, the vulnerable lyrics have a certain sense of power beneath them, reminding listeners that being honest can not only be cathartic, but can also make you stronger. “Two Bridges is one of my most unusual tracks," Degray says of the song. "I wrote the lyrics in New York, when I was a little insane and fascinated by the idea of having a cigarette burn on my hand. One night after karaoke and vodka water bottles, me and my old friend burned each other with cigarettes at the same time. They have a burn on their left hand and I have one on my right forever now. Two bridges."

Prior to the release of “Two Bridges,” Degray released another single titled “Masculine Charm” earlier this year, a project that also features the dreamy slacker-rock song “Adore Her More”. So until the rest of Silver Meteor 98 comes out on October 18, we have some time to listen to the singles below.