The moment I pressed play on Money Badoo’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” I knew it would be one of those songs that would linger for years to come. Released today, January 24th, 2025, “Heartbreak Hotel” feels like stepping into the mind of someone caught in the push-and-pull of heartbreak, toxic love, and self-awareness. A situation we have all found ourselves in. This song took me straight back to my first heartbreak : 17 years old, naive, and utterly unprepared for the emotional whirlwind that would follow. If you’ve ever been trapped in the loop of love and betrayal, trying to make sense of your feelings while knowing better, “Heartbreak Hotel” will hit home, just like it did for me.
The icing on the cake for this specific song is the lyrics. They are achingly honest as though they were pulled straight from one’s own journal. “To tell the truth / I’m just a fool / I keep falling for your lies,” . Raw, honest, unfiltered, capturing the limbo of knowing you should let go but still clinging on. . That’s exactly how this song makes me feel. A feeling only SZA’s “Drew Barrymore” once evoked in me when I was engulfed in heartbreak, the same heartbreak that inspired me to dive into poetry.
This achingly honest lyricism is beautifully accentuated by the dreamy ’80s-inspired synths making “Heartbreak Hotel” song a gem and an emotional experience. From the moment the opening chords hit, “Heartbreak Hotel” pulls you into its world. The production, helmed by Select Play, creates a lush and moody soundscape that’s both nostalgic and fresh, perfectly complementing the song’s ethos. Featuring the velvety tones of Una Rams, the duet unfolds like a conversation between two hearts caught in the throes of love’s complexities. This very duet is the perfect cherry on top, with Una Ram’s velvety tones balancing Money Badoo’s emotional intensity, further highlighting the undeniable chemistry between their voices.
With “Heartbreak Hotel,” Money Badoo proves she’s a storyteller who knows how to open up her heart and fully immerse listeners into her world. She has crafted a metaphorical space where pain and unrequited love are common, giving us a beautiful glimpse into the darker side of romance.
Keep your eyes peeled on Money Badoo as this single marks a new sonic chapter for her, and is the perfect setup for her upcoming album, M$RYLUV$CMPNY, set to release on March 7th. From this song alone, one can discern that the album is going to be a rich exploration of heartbreak, self-discovery, and, ultimately, empowerment. If “Heartbreak Hotel” is any indication, fans like myself are in for a deeply cathartic journey.
Listen to “Heartbreak Hotel” here: https://paradise.ffm.to/heartbreakhotel
