It’s hard to believe that Harper first hit the scene nearly four years ago, while performing her cover of Spiritbox‘s “Holy Roller” on America’s Got Talent (which led to an onstage team-up with the metal band, too).The now 13-year-old screamer has been showcasing her own twist on metalcore since then, and has just upped the ante with a heavy and pensive new single called “Thorn in My Side.”
Harper’s latest track follows 2024 singles “Bird in a Cage” and “I Hope You Choke,” and she wastes no time jumping straight into a round of those now famously ferocious screams. But she also hits a lot of melody when it comes to the chorus.
The track also bounds through noise-fractured riffage and glossy-and-synth-sparkled production work. Throughout, Harper sings and howls about living in a world of suffering, being betrayed by others, and standing her ground (“If it’s war, then ima give it to you”).
“‘Thorn in My Side’ was written when there just seemed to be a lot of bad things happening in the world,” she said in a statement. “Whenever I’d be in the car and the news came on the radio or even watching TV there was just nothing positive happening.”
She added: “Lyrically it’s pretty dark and just a statement of frustration. I also really wanted to push myself on this song, I’m still learning so much about my voice and what It can do, so it’s been really fun challenging myself to become a better vocalist.”
You can hear how Harper leveled up via the player up above. “Thorn in My Side” is streaming now via Pale Chord Music/Rise Records.