By Eves Lynch
I have to be honest… I’ve only recently discovered CMAT. I’d heard of her before, mainly because of her co-writer credit on ‘I Like Your Look’ by the Blossoms but I have recently discovered her own music, annoyingly, because of a trend on TikTok. Since then, I’ve been hooked. Her country vibe, combined with her ability to address serious topics in a subtle yet impactful way, is truly infectious.
Her new song ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me’ is a certified banger.
In an interview with Jack Saunders for Radio 1, she recalled receiving a lot of hate and backlash about her Radio 1’s Big Weekend performance because of her body image: “I was just wearing clothes, and everyone was very annoyed at me for that.” She mentioned that the BBC had to turn the comments off social media posts containing videos of her performance because of the amount of hate and abuse it was generating. “I think [my outfit] caused a stir because it’s big and because I’m a size 14 as opposed to a size six.”
In response to this, she did what any musician facing the same issue would do: she wrote a song about it. The song has been described by many as the definition of feminine rage, and I have to agree.
The song starts with CMAT recounting her experience of trying to wax her legs with sticky tape at the age of nine. She reflects in the song about how the pressure to be attractive has led to her feeling that she has “been having a horrible time of late.” But the lyrics are contrasted with poppy hooks and the tongue-in-cheek solution of having someone “take a sexy picture”. The lyrics tell a story of CMAT growing up with unrealistic beauty standards and how that affected her growing up.
It explores societal beauty standards and the scrutiny women face, particularly in the public eye. Inspired by her own experiences with body shaming, CMAT channels her frustration into a track that blends sharp wit with poignant commentary.
The song combines upbeat, catchy melodies with lyrics that delve into the pressures of conforming to traditional notions of attractiveness. CMAT’s signature blend of humour and sincerity shines through, making the track both relatable and thought-provoking. Listeners have praised the song for its infectious hooks and the way it captures the complexities of self-image and societal expectations.
Growing up in the social media era myself, I understand how unrealistic beauty standards become apparent to us at a young age, and I know how much that can affect women. Constantly being surrounded by and exposed to what society views as healthy in terms of weight and body image is damaging. This song is needed. It’s a great expression of how growing up with these things can make you feel.
CMAT has done an amazing job with this, and as listeners and critics, we can only hope that this song sparks discussions, encourages and comforts people around the world.
Let this be the start of a rebellion, the start of a well-needed change.
Photo credit: Collin Knopp-Schwyn
