Sky Ferreira: Finally Off Her "Leash"
- Nicole Basham
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Sky Ferreira is officially independent from Capitol Records - what's next for the indie pop icon?
Sky Ferreira reignited fan speculation about her next project after posting a throwback studio photo on Instagram and teasing that something new is on the way. But it’s not the first time she’s had to reassure fans. Her last album, the critically acclaimed indie synth-pop gem Night Time, My Time, came out in 2013, following self-financed recording sessions due to creative clashes with Capitol Records, who reportedly pushed for a more commercial sound. Ferreira signed with the label at just fifteen, after building a devoted online following, and their turbulent relationship has dragged on for over a decade.
Ferreira's long-awaited second album, Masochism, was first announced in 2015. After years of delays, it finally seemed within reach with the release of her haunting 2019 single “Downhill Lullaby,” a standout feature on Charli XCX’s “Cross You Out,” and her 2022 track “Don’t Forget.” Yet the latter’s lyrics lay bare the toxic relationship with Capitol Records that stifled her ability to release music throughout her twenties; a critical blow, particularly for a female artist navigating an industry where youth and output are often unfairly linked.
"Keep it in mind / Nobody here's a friend of mine / The can't keep me in line, they fail to recognize that I don't forget, oh no, I won't forget"
Ferreira posted stills online from a music video that was shot but never released by Capitol. The song opens with references to Night Time, My Time.
"There's a fire on your street / Terrorized the whole community / Little troubled girl you see / Burning down your house of certainty"
Ferreira's debut album title was pulled from a line in David Lynch's movie Fire Walk With Me, which follows the story of main character Laura Palmer's abuse and murder. Ferreira has previously bravely spoken out about her own experiences with sexual abuse as a child, both in her music and in interviews, something her label seemed uncomfortable with her incorporating into her art as it contradicted their "pop star" image of her.
Ferreira was unceremoniously dropped from Capitol Records with an automated email in late 2023:
"They waited until the 10-year anniversary of Night Time, My Time to drop me via an automated message that got forwarded to me. And it was a weekend! After months of not hearing back from them! It was pretty — I’m still trying to figure out the words I can use to talk about it that won’t get me in trouble. But I also don’t really care about getting in trouble, because what else can they really do to me at this point? My relationship with them was obviously a bit fraught, and it’s never been very simple to explain. But to let me know I’ve been dropped from the label in such an impersonal way was clearly so personal" (Stereogum).
Her release may have been in part due to a fan campaign to #FreeSkyFerreira, which involved raising awareness online that she was not being allowed to release music, as well as IRL stunts like a Times Square Billboard and a banner flown by the Capitol Records Building bearing the hashtag. Ferreira turned to fans for support after some began to turn on her, blaming her for album delays. Ferreira has insisted for years that her music was being held hostage.
Six years ago, Ferreira even reached out directly to Soundcloud on Instagram after her extremely popular account was seized by Capitol, seemingly due to concerns she would release new music to her fans for free.
Ferreira has spoken out in interviews about being shelved by Capitol as a punishment for contradicting them and creating her first album according to her artistic vision, despite its relative commercial success (with very little support and marketing) and excellent critical reviews.
"I don’t think they liked looking dumb and like a 20-year-old girl beat them at their own game. . . A lot of people see that as like: ‘This is why you’re in the situation you’re in now'" (The Guardian).
Now, songs from Masochism and her previous albums are being held by Capitol.
"'I’m working to try and get some of those songs back, but I’m not getting every single one. It’s such a complicated process and I have to figure out how to do all this shit by myself now,' she said. 'People keep telling me I should just re-record the songs and it’s like, yeah, Taylor Swift can do that because she’s a billionaire, but I basically put all the money I’ve ever made as an artist back into making music. I think most musicians I know generally pay to work.'” (Rolling Stone)
Ferreira's comments also speak to disparities in who is allowed to be a feminist icon in the music industry. While hyper-wealthy celebrities like Swift can be praised for seizing control of their masters, Ferreira has been plagued for years by rumors of being "difficult," or even a liar, as she has made announcements for new music that Capitol then does not release. Over the years, this has tarnished her image as an artist and her relationship with fans who may not understand the intricacies of being signed to a major label contract.
"They kept me from putting out new music for 10 years as a way of making me look like I’m incapable of it, like it was my fault that I don’t technically own anything I record." (Stereogum)
Although Ferreira was technically dropped, many fans see her independence as a potential victory. A24 and Halina Reijn approached her shortly afterwards to create a song for the movie Babygirl starring Nicole Kidman. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity and said it was a testament to the lasting influence of Night Time, My Time. Unfortunately, the music video, which was meant to accompany the song, was cancelled due to the wildfires in the LA area.
"Surrender to the master, in the end, nothing matters / Blood was on the wall, we always knew you'd let me down / (You thought I wouldn't notice) surrender to the master / (Eternally devoted) in the end, nothing matters"
Here, the word "Master" serves as a double entendre to describe both the themes of submission and domination in the movie and the fact that her own Masters are still owned by Capitol. Despite fighting for years for the right to express herself, she ultimately lost the rights to her own music, explained in the line, "Why does leaving you mean leaving me?"
"I tore apart this veil of shame / I fought so hard just to be erased"
Whatever Ferreira's next project looks like, independent or not, she will, evidently and hopefully, keep working to express her personal stories and struggles through her signature blend of soaring vocals, 80s and 90s-influenced synths, and grunge instrumentation. I, for one, cannot wait to see what the future holds for Sky Ferreira's career post-Capitol.
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