Hypnotic (song)

"Hypnotic" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Zella Day for her second extended play (EP) Zella Day (2014) and her second studio album Kicker (2015). The song was released on February 27, 2015, as the latter record's lead single through Pinetop Records and Hollywood Records. The song was written by Day, Nick Bailey, Xandy Barry, and Ryan Orgen. Production was handled by Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax Ltd, with additional production from Blueprint. Musically, "Hypnotic" is an alternative, folk, pop song with hip-hop, country and dream pop influences. Lyrically, it discusses the struggle and eventual loss of power in a new relationship.

"Hypnotic"
A kaleidoscope of blues, yellows, and reds combine in a visual behind the song's title and respective artist.
Single by Zella Day
from the EP Zella Day and the album Kicker
ReleasedFebruary 27, 2015
Recorded2014
Studio
  • Wax Ltd Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Blueprint Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length2:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Zella Day singles chronology
"Compass"
(2014)		 "Hypnotic"
(2015)		 "High"
(2015)
Music video
"Hypnotic" on YouTube

"Hypnotic" peaked at number 25 on the US Adult Alternative Airplay and number 28 on the US Adult Top 40. It was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. A music video for the song was directed by Gianennio Salucci and produced by Rod Hamilton. The video premiered on the same day of its release. It features Day driving in the desert, her sitting in a bathtub with a horse, and dancing in a room with a checkerboard pattern.

Background and composition

"Hypnotic" was written by Day, Nick Bailey, Xandy Barry, and Ryan Orgen, and was produced by Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax Ltd, with additional production from Blueprint.[1] On October 23, 2014, the song was released to the iTunes Store as part of their "Free Singles of the Week" program.[2][3] The song is a hybrid of alternative,[3] folk, and pop[2] genres, with hip-hop,[4] country and dream pop[5] influences. Written in F-sharp minor,[6] "Hypnotic" is accompanied with bass[4] and an "offbeat rhythm".[2] Day's vocals range from G♯3 to D5, with the song having a tempo of 80 beats per minute.[6]

Lyrically, the song discusses the struggle and eventual loss of power in a new relationship.[7] In an interview with Untitled, Day stated, "'Hypnotic' is about the loss of power through physicality in a new relationship. When I moved to California, I was really testing the waters with partying...for the first time." Day expands this by saying, "I was...really figuring out how to feel powerful. It was really hard to feel powerful being physical with somebody that you’re not in a relationship with."[7] In an interview with AllAccess, Day said, "['Hypnotic'] is an accumulation of experiences stitched together to translate a bigger meaning. This song is about losing yourself in a shallow sexual relationship."[8]

Critical reception

Ethan Germann from Atwood acclaimed Day's choice of releasing "Hypnotic" as a single and complimented the soaring chorus and captivating vocals.[2] Emilee Atkinson, a student columnist for Weber State University's The Signpost, singled out the track for bringing a positive light to sadcore music; she claimed: "for listeners who aren't normally fans of this type of music, Zella Day is a good place to start."[9] Jacob Brown from Vogue recognized the song as a "pop gem" and compared its rhythm to that of Christina Aguilera's music and the lyrics to Lana Del Rey's works.[10]

Music video

An accompanying music video for the single was released on February 27, 2015. The visuals were directed by Gianennio Salucci and produced by Rod Hamilton.[11] Day spent a week writing the script for the video.[12] Day spoke of the symbolism within the plot:

Yeah, but there's a lot of symbolism in that video. The horse represents this pure, unjaded, unfazed love. In the video, we are both, me and my love interest, kind of going through phases of having the horse in our possession. In the beginning of the video, he has the horse, and then I do. It's kind of this fight, it's just a war between us, and Mickey kind of represents what we're trying to win. Then you have the black snake that kind of represents tainted love.[13]

Live performances and other usage

When touring in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the singer performed "Hypnotic" live in Studio C at the KTCZ-FM broadcast hall.[14] The song was featured in The Vampire Diaries,[15] Pretty Little Liars,[16] and The Royals.[17]

Personnel

Performance credits

  • Zella Day – vocals

Instruments

  • Zella Day – guitar
  • Wally Gagel – keyboard, guitar
  • Xandy Barry – keyboard
  • Ryan Orgen – keyboard, guitar

Production

  • Wax Ltd – production
    • Xandy Barry – mixer, recording engineer, programmer
    • Wally Gagel – mixer, recording engineer, programmer
  • Blueprint – production, engineer
  • Ryan Orgen - programmer
  • Brian Blake – recording assistant
  • Howie Weinburg – mastering

Charts
Chart performance for "Hypnotic"
Chart (2015–2016) Peak
position
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 25
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[19] 28

Certifications
Certifications for "Hypnotic"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[20] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history and formats for "Hypnotic"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States January 26, 2015 Adult album alternative
[21]
Modern rock [22]
February 27, 2015 Digital download [23]
Germany March 3, 2015 Universal Music [24]
United States November 2, 2015 Hot adult contemporary
[25][26]
January 15, 2016 Vanic remix [27]

References
  1. Kicker (CD liner notes). Pinetop, Hollywood. 2015. 050087306052.
  2. Germann, Ethan (October 21, 2015). "Today's Song: Join In On The Obsession With Zella Day's "Hypnotic"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  3. Greenberg, Brooke (October 23, 2014). "Zella Day delivers with her iTunes Song of the Week". Eastside. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  4. Niesel, Jeff (August 26, 2015). "Up-and-Coming Singer-Songwriter Zella Day to Make Local Debut at Grog Shop on Friday". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  5. Kent, Matthew (February 28, 2015). "Must-watch: Zella Day - 'Hypnotic'". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  6. "Zella Day - Hypnotic". EMI Music Publishing. June 18, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  7. Cesarine, Indira (April 21, 2016). "ZELLA DAY ON APACHE INFLUENCES AND PERFORMING AT COACHELLA - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | THE UNTITLED MAGAZINE". Untitled Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  8. "All Access Music Q&A with Psychedelic Songbird, ZELLA DAY! | All Access Music". AllAccess. April 23, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  9. Atkinson, Emilee (July 20, 2015). "Zella Day dazzles listeners". The Signpost. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  10. Brown, Jacob (January 23, 2016). "Zella Day Performs a Heartbreaking Ballad About Alcoholism". Vogue. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  11. Day, Zella, Zella Day - Hypnotic (Official Video), retrieved July 17, 2023
  12. Thomas-Hansard, Artemis (June 2, 2015). "Indie-Pop Songstress Zella Day Comes From a Long Line of Hardcore Bitches - LA Weekly". LA Weekly. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  13. Wass, Mike (June 26, 2015). "Zella Day Talks Debut LP 'Kicker,' Accepting Her Roots & Mickey, The White Horse: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  14. "Zella Day performs "Hypnotic" in Studio C". KTCZ-FM. October 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  15. Day, Zella (March 19, 2015). "Hear "HYPNOTIC" on @cwtvd #VampireDiaries tonight! And get it now on iTunes when you pre-order #KICKER here". Twitter. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  16. Day, Zella (July 14, 2015). "Did you hear Hypnotic on Pretty Little Liars? Get the song here:". Twitter. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  17. Day, Zella (April 12, 2015). "Listen to "Hypnotic" on @TheRoyalsOnE tonight and get it instantly when you pre-order #KICKER here:". Twitter. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  18. "Zella Day Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  19. "Zella Day Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  20. "American single certifications – Zella Day – Hypnotic". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  21. "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases | ..." AllAccess. January 19, 2015. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  22. "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases | ..." AllAccess. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  23. Day, Zella (February 27, 2015). "HYPNOTC IS HERE!!!!!!". Twitter. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  24. Group, UMG (March 3, 2015). "Hypnotic". www.universal-music.de (in German). Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  25. "Zella Day – Hypnotic on HOT AC | WAX LTD". Wax Ltd. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  26. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates | ..." AllAccess. October 29, 2015. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  27. Hypnotic (Vanic Remix) - Single by Zella Day, January 15, 2016, retrieved July 17, 2023
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