Friendship breakups can hit just as hard—if not harder—than romantic ones. “GOLDSTAR”, the latest single from Julianna Joy, takes that pain and flips it into a sharp, mesmerizing piece of alternative pop. There’s a controlled fury beneath the surface, wrapped in a vocal delivery that feels both intimate and theatrical, like a whispered confrontation that slowly builds into something impossible to ignore.
One of the most striking things about “GOLDSTAR” is its refusal to follow a predictable structure. Instead of leaning on a clear verse-chorus divide, the song unfolds like an extended, hypnotic refrain, keeping the listener on edge yet fully engaged. The mix of synth textures and alternative pop elements feels fluid and unexpected, making each small variation stand out even more. And then there’s the vocal performance—somewhere between Feist’s hushed storytelling and Haim’s effortlessly cool, shifting between spoken-word-like phrasing and melodic bursts that feel almost accidental in their beauty.
Lyrically, the track doesn’t hold back. Written about the painful realization that a so-called friend was more interested in personal gain than true connection, “GOLDSTAR” cuts deep. As Joy herself puts it, “When you treat your friends like members of your cult, you lose your integrity to a point of no return”. The song mirrors this sentiment perfectly—subtle but relentless, never quite giving in to explosive catharsis, yet making its point with razor-sharp precision.
About Julianna Joy:
A rising force in alternative pop, Julianna Joy has been making waves since she was 17, landing a deal with Hipgnosis Songs Group early on and collaborating with names like Teddy Geiger, John Ryan, and Ariza. With millions of streams and support from platforms like Zane Lowe’s show and Spotify’s Fresh Finds, she’s built a reputation for introspective, boundary-pushing pop. Her debut album, “SOMEBODY CALL THE FIREMEN!“, is set for release in Spring 2025, promising her boldest work yet.