Troye Sivan’s single “She’s the Best,” released on Aug. 14, is a soft and mellow, yet empowering anthem dedicated to the women who never fail to dazzle those around them with only their authentic self.
In the single, Sivan fuses psychedelia-inflected trip-hop beats, minimalistic lyricism and repetition to walk us through a series of women he adores. Alongside the track, Sivan dropped a spectacular music video, featuring pop culture icons like Nicole Kidman and Sasha Colby. Secret additional vocal cameos were also provided by Charli XCX.
“She’s the Best” invokes the feeling of awe within listeners. Sivan pairs a lulling, story-telling-monotonous voice with a slow and calming, downtempo melody, which feels akin to walking on a pier with a gentle breeze. “Something about being a gay boy… You look to these women,” Sivan said at the music video premiere for the song. He explained that the song is about “a feeling of safety that I didn’t always feel in masculine spaces growing up.”
Though simplistic and straightforward, the lyrics are stunning. From the get-go, Sivan sets the stage with the first line: “She’s walking down the street with her little thin cigarette / Great smile and a cum stain on her dress.”Sivan creates snapshots of women who are living in her own world; she goes about her life coolly, on her own accord: “Night owl and somehow an early bird / She kind of just stays perpetually tired.”
In the chorus and bridge, Sivan repeats, “That girl, that girl, wow, that girl,” with a melodious indiepop backtrack, cementing the overarching feeling of marvel toward the image of “that girl.” During the bridge, the music video shows Sivan and Kidman in a languid choreography, as she embraces him with a hug, signifying comfort and acceptance.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sivan confessed that growing up, he was obsessed with Kidman after watching the “Moulin Rouge!” film
As the song progresses towards the end, it transitions into an upbeat outro, “She’s the best / She’s the heartbeat bumpin’ in my chest,” as clips of glamorous individuals are played. Sivan’s drag alter ego, which debuted in Sivan’s “One of Your Girls,” also made an appearance.
At face value, “She’s the Best” may not come across as a single with incredible vocal gymnastics or a nuanced symphony of instruments, but instead allows listeners to fondly recall the extraordinary women who have graced their lives.
Whether she is a loving family member, earnest friend, encouraging mentor or even a beautiful lady seen in an everyday commute, “She’s the Best” reminds those who listen of these gems who provide comfort and glamour in their life.
The song is the title track of Sivan’s upcoming album of the same name set to release in early October.
