#FridayFeature: Tove Lo Brings “Bitches” to NYC Pride

Tove Lo, the Swedish pop sensation who first came to the scene with her hit single “Habits,” hasn’t slowed down one bit. Her latest full length album, BLUE LIPS, built on the success of her sophomore Lady Wood, adding to its established and polished pop sound.

Tove’s brash and explicit lyricism continue to be a common trait through all of her releases thus far, and is especially relevant on her latest single from BLUE LIPS, “Bitches.”

With a title such as this, it’s no wonder the lyrics within will contain explicit meanings. The Swedish songstress doesn’t wrap her confident exploits in double-entendres either. The candid topics and lines are bluntly delivered.

“Bitches” details Tove Lo’s fluid sexuality, as she helps her male lover learn the proper way to please a woman. Tove is confident in her teachings, as she speaks from experience in the field.

“I’ve had one or two, even a few,” she sings. “Yeah, more than you.”

Not only are Tove Lo’s lyrical contents confident in their sexuality, but the visuals for her singles take them the extra mile. Her video for the banger “Disco Tits” was especially creative and humorous in its nature, detailing the pop stars one-night-stand with a muppet. The video for “Bitches” is no different, as Tove teams up with fellow pop artists Charli XCX, Icona Pop, Elliphant, and Alma.

The end result is a twisted, humorous, and confident narrative, as the band of females help a couple get through a bit of a rough patch in their relationship. However, instead of a traditional couples therapy, the pop stars help the couple add a bit of spice into the bedroom.

Tove’s bold personality and music make her stand out in the crowded pop field, as the Swedish songwriter breaks the glass ceiling of explicit lyricism with every musical venture. Where men are expected and accepted in talking dirty in their own work, society often finds the same brash statements a bit too much for their female counterparts. Tove Lo won’t accept that.

Not only is “Bitches” an empowering, explicit, juicy pop anthem, but it normalizes sexuality for women, especially those in the LGBT community. For Tove Lo, exploring sexuality and being confident in it’s exploits is an empowering position.

Flaunting this proudly, Tove Lo was the perfect choice to bring to NYC’s Pride Island. Tomorrow, New York City will host Tove Lo, alongside Lizzo, RuPaul winner Sasha Velour, and more to celebrate exactly what the pop star promotes with “Bitches.”
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Though the song may seem like a dirty pop adventure on the surface, beneath it and within all of Tove Lo’s music is a deeper purpose. Sexuality is not something women should have to hide. Tove Lo is here to bring it out.

Watch the music video for "Bitches," featuring Charli XCX, Icona Pop, Elliphant, and Alma, below, and catch Tove Lo in New York City at Pride Island tomorrow. More details at www.nycpride.org.

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Article by: Brendan Swogger 
Brendan Swogger is a music writer and college student in Portland, OR. He is the Creative Director for The Crush blog. You can follow him on IG and Twitter @indiealtpdx.