Play Destroy

"Play Destroy" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Poppy featuring Canadian musician Grimes from the former's second studio album Am I a Girl? (2018).^[1]

"Play Destroy"
Song by Poppy featuring Grimes
from the album Am I a Girl?
Released	October 31, 2018 (2018-10-31)
Genre	Synth-pop industrial metal nu metal
Length	3:05
Label	Mad Decent
Lyricist(s)	Moriah Pereira Claire Boucher Authentic Songwriter Chris Greatti
Producer(s)	Chris Greatti Grimes

Background

The collaboration was first teased in a serious of pictures on both Grimes and Poppy's social media accounts.^[2] Poppy revealed that Grimes followed her on Twitter and then Poppy messaged her asking for a collaboration.^[3] She confirmed that they wrote a couple of songs together, the first being about 'destroying things' and the other being about 'power', referencing Grimes' single "We Appreciate Power".^[4] However, following a feud between the two singers, the song featured American singer Hana instead of Poppy.^[5]

Shortly after the release of Am I a Girl?, Poppy revealed that Grimes bullied her during the making of "Play Destroy" stating:

"I was kind of bullied into submission by [Grimes] and her team of self-proclaimed feminists," she says. "We planned the song coming out months ago, and she was preventing it. I got to watch her bully songwriters into signing NDA and not taking credit for songs that they were a part of. She doesn't practice what she preaches."^[6]

Before Poppy's statement, a fan praised Grimes for the collaboration on Twitter and she replied with 'meh'.^[7] When responding to the allegations, Grimes said "Poppy, you dragged me into a disgusting situation and won’t stop punishing me for not wanting to be a part of it. I don’t want to work with you, you leaked the song anyway. U got what you want. Let it go.”^[8][9]

Composition

"Play Destroy" is a synth-pop, industrial metal^[10] and nu-metal song.^[11] Following the sound of Poppy's "X" and "Am I a Girl?" Poppy refers to these songs as "Poppymetal".^[12]

Reception

Anna Gaca of Spin stated "[The song] is a game, I imagine, akin to “playing doctor,” with all its attendant potential for deviant behavior and doll mutilation".^[13]

Tom Breihan of Stereogum said that Poppy and Grimes "should've been making music together forever". He continued praising the song stating "Grimes and Poppy both have freaked-out, conceptual takes on bright, gleaming pop music. It’s an incredibly strange song, and it’s also kind of amazing".^[14]

References

1. "Grimes and Poppy reveal long-awaited collaboration "Play Destroy"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
2. Dazed (October 31, 2018). "Listen to Grimes and Poppy's grinding new song 'Play Destroy'". Dazed. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
3. Reilly, Nick (October 31, 2018). "Listen to 'Play Destroy', the new track from Poppy and Grimes". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
4. Trendell, Andrew (July 30, 2018). "Youtube sensation Poppy on her new album, gender fluidity, and working with Grimes and Marilyn Manson". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
5. Klinkenberg, Brendan (November 29, 2018). "Hear Grimes' Assertive New Song 'We Appreciate Power'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
6. Gaca, Anna (November 30, 2018). "Poppy Says Grimes "Bullied" Her During the Making of Their Song "Play Destroy"". Spin. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
7. Sundstrom, Mark (November 2, 2018). "Um, Grimes Just Called Her New Collab With Poppy 'Meh'". PopCrush. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
8. Bein, Kat (November 30, 2018). "Poppy Breaks Down New Album 'Am I A Girl?' And Says She Was 'Bullied' By Grimes". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
9. "Poppy Calls Out Grimes for "Bullying"". Pitchfork. November 30, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
10. Reed, Ryan (October 31, 2018). "Grimes Assists Poppy on New Metal-Pop Song 'Play Destroy'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
11. "Poppy may be the future of heavy metal with new song "Play Destroy"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
12. "Poppy Makes a Case for a New Kind of Artificial Pop Star". Time. November 20, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
13. Gaca, Anna (October 31, 2018). "Poppy and Grimes's "Play Destroy" Is Spooky But Sweet". Spin. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
14. "Poppy – "Play Destroy" (Feat. Grimes)". Stereogum. October 31, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.