| Play Destroy | |
| Type: | song |
| Artist: | Poppy featuring Grimes |
| Album: | Am I a Girl? |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 3:05 |
| Label: | Mad Decent |
| Lyricist: |
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| Producer: |
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"Play Destroy" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Poppy featuring Canadian musician Grimes from the former's second studio album Am I a Girl? (2018).[1]
The collaboration was first teased in a serious of pictures on both Grimes and Poppy's social media accounts.[2] Poppy revealed that Grimes followed her on Twitter and then Poppy messaged her asking for a collaboration.[3] She confirmed that they wrote a couple of songs together, the first being about "destroying things" and the other being about "power", referencing Grimes' single "We Appreciate Power".[4] However, following a feud between the two singers, the song featured American singer Hana instead of Poppy.[5]
Shortly after the release of Am I a Girl?, Poppy revealed that Grimes bullied her during the making of "Play Destroy" stating:Before Poppy's statement, a fan praised Grimes for the collaboration on Twitter and she replied with "meh".[6] When responding to the allegations, Grimes said "Poppy, you dragged me into a disgusting situation and won't stop punishing me for not wanting to be a part of it. I don't want to work with you, you leaked the song anyway. U got what you want. Let it go."[7] [8]
"Play Destroy" is a synth-pop, industrial metal[9] and nu-metal song.[10] Following the sound of Poppy's "X" and "Am I a Girl?" Poppy refers to these songs as "Poppymetal".[11]
Anna Gaca of Spin stated "[The song] is a game, I imagine, akin to 'playing doctor', with all its attendant potential for deviant behavior and doll mutilation".[12] Tom Breihan of Stereogum said that Poppy and Grimes "should've been making music together forever". He continued praising the song stating "Grimes and Poppy both have freaked-out, conceptual takes on bright, gleaming pop music. It's an incredibly strange song, and it's also kind of amazing."[13]