Hypnotic (song)

"Hypnotic" is a song recorded by American singer Zella Day for her second extended play, Zella Day (2014), and her second studio album, Kicker (2015). It was released as the latter record's lead single on February 27, 2015 as a digital download through Pinetop and Hollywood Records. Written by Zella Day, Xandy Barry, James Bailey, and Ryan Ogren, "Hypnotic" was produced by the Wax LTD team of Barry and Wally Gagel. Musically an alternative, folk, and pop song, its lyrics deal with the protagonist begging her lover for mutual respect.

"Hypnotic"
Single by Zella Day
from the album Zella Day and Kicker
ReleasedFebruary 17, 2015
Recorded2014
Genre
Length2:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Wax Ltd.
Zella Day singles chronology
"East of Eden"
(2014)		 "Hypnotic"
(2015)		 "High"
(2015)

The song was regarded by contemporary music critics as a standout. It was also appreciated for bringing the sadcore genre to light. An accompanying music video for "Hypnotic" was issued ten days after its after physical release, and features the singer bathing in a bathtub with a horse, dancing in a room, and driving a car through the desert.

Background and composition

Following a hiatus after her record label expressed doubts of her being too opinionated for her age, Zella Day joined BMG Rights Management and returned to work with Wax Ltd to begin production on several tracks. Together, they continued creating new music and would eventually write "Hypnotic" along with songwriters James Bailey and Ryan Ogren.[1][2] With track production handled by the Wax Ltd team, "Hypnotic" was written in coordination by Day, Barry, Bailey, and Ogren.[3] On February 17, 2015, the single was released to the iTunes Store as part of their "Free Singles of the Week" program.[4]

"Hypnotic" is a combination of alternative, folk, and pop genres, and has been celebrated as one of the defining songs of the nascent sadcore subgenre.[4] In its lyrics, Day begs for a lover to feel the same respect for her as she does for him. She sings in the chorus: "You do it to me so well / Hypnotic taking over me / Make me feel like someone else / You got me talking in my sleep," before admitting, "I don't wanna come back down / I don't wanna touch the ground / Pacific Ocean dug so deep / Hypnotic taking over me".[4]

Critical reception

Ethan Germann from Atwood acclaimed Day's choice of releasing "Hypnotic" as a single, and complimented the soaring chorus and captivating vocals.[4] 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."[5] 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.[6]

Music video

An accompanying music video for the single was released on February 27, 2015 through Day's official Vevo account. The visuals were directed by Gianennio Salucci and produced by Rod Hamilton.[7] 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.[1]

Live performances

When touring in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the singer performed "Hypnotic" live in Studio C at the KTCZ-FM broadcast hall.[8]

Appearances in media

Hypnotic was featured in several films, television shows, and commercials.

Charts
Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9] 25
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 28

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[11] Gold 500,000*

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United States February 17, 2015 Digital download Pinetop, Hollywood
Sweden[12] 2015 CD Universal Music
United States[13] January 15, 2016 Vanic Remix Pinetop, Hollywood

References
  1. 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.
  2. Zella Day (EP) (CD liner notes). Zella Day. Pinetop. 2014. BVPR004932.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Kicker (CD liner notes). Zella Day. Pinetop, Hollywood. 2015. D002007302.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Germann, Ethan (October 21, 2015). "Today's Song: Join In On The Obsession With Zella Day's "Hypnotic"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  5. Atkinson, Emilee (July 20, 2015). "Zella Day dazzles listeners". The Signpost. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  6. Brown, Jacob (January 23, 2016). "Zella Day Performs a Heartbreaking Ballad About Alcoholism". Vogue. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  7. "Hypnotic (Official Video) – Zella Day". Vevo. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  8. "Zella Day performs "Hypnotic" in Studio C". KTCZ-FM. October 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  9. "Zella Day Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  10. "Zella Day Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  11. "American single certifications – Zella Day – Hypnotic". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 26, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  12. "Hypnotic" (CD single liner notes). Zella Day. Universal Music. 2015.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. ""Hypnotic (Vanic Remix)" – Single by Zella Day on iTunes". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 15, 2016.
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