Taking it upon herself to burst the ubiquitous bubble of domesticity that the pandemic plunged us into, Mikhaela Faye is asking some important questions about the pressures of motherhood in her empowering latest single “I Don’t Want Your Baby”.
A tongue-in-cheek critique of the conundrum most women face – to reproduce or not to reproduce – the track sees the Cape Town-based songstress masterfully balance a whimsically fun sound with a serious message.
True to her jazz-electro-pop sound, Faye has injected an undeniably uplifting energy into the track by mixing bubbling synth-laden melodies with a bouncing beat – culminating in ear-worm worthy hooks and an immensely enjoyable listen. As with all her songs, Faye’s sultry, jazz-leaning vocals command attention, taking centre stage for the duration of the song as she laments the notion of settling down.
Blending pastel outfits and choreographed dances with a satirical depiction of 1950’s domestic bliss, the whimsical music video is nothing short of a work of art. The perfect accompaniment to the effervescent track, the video – directed by Tom Willows – is a pastel-hued pick-me-up that challenges the idea that homemaking is something all woman should aspire to.
Not one to skip on the opportunity to use her platform shed light on important issues, Faye is using IDWYB to raise awareness around the shockingly high number of teenage pregnancies in South Africa, and to start a nappy and formula drive on behalf of Friends of Child Protection, an NGO that that focuses on providing care packs to Thuthuzela Care Centers for women, children and babies who are victims of sexual abuse in the greater Western Cape.
Feature pic supplied by artist
