LACES spills the truth on Fiery Pop anthem, “Salt”
Jessica Vaughn, the powerhouse artist and industry trailblazer behind LACES, isn’t pulling any punches in her new single “Salt.” This isn’t just pop with polish—it’s a protest with polish. Blending vibrant, soul-infused textures with razor-sharp lyricism, “Salt” arrives like a Molotov cocktail in a glitter bottle: explosive, dazzling, and defiantly uncompromising.
With an electric pulse of synths and percussion, “Salt” is as catchy as it is caustic. It’s a bright, impeccably produced earworm that lures you in with its pop sheen, only to hit you with barbed truths about wealth, privilege, and systemic inequality. In less capable hands, that contrast might collapse under the weight of its own ambition—but Vaughn, long celebrated for her songwriting chops and industry savvy, turns it into pure alchemy.
Vocally, she’s unstoppable here. Her range is massive, but it’s not just about the high notes—it’s the emotion in every word. There’s grit in her delivery, a righteous fury tempered with clarity and soul. Vaughn isn’t just singing about injustice—she’s feeling it, and she’s making you feel it too. One minute she’s smooth and sultry, the next she’s tearing through the beat like a wrecking ball in heels.
What’s particularly striking is how “Salt” doesn’t shy away from complexity. Vaughn weaves scathing commentary into slick, danceable production without ever sounding preachy. The groove is undeniable, the hooks are sharp, and the message is crystal clear: the system is broken, and we can’t just keep swallowing the lies. “Salt” doesn’t just sting—it awakens.
The instrumentation is a dream for alt-pop fans. Vintage-tinged synths swirl around tight drums and layered harmonies, creating a soundscape that’s expansive yet punchy. There’s something retro in the DNA here—maybe a nod to ‘80s new wave or early 2000s electropop—but the execution is thoroughly modern. Every sonic detail feels intentional, from the warped basslines to the gleaming keyboard stabs that echo Vaughn’s lyrical urgency.
And yet, for all its righteous rage, “Salt” never forgets to have fun. That’s the genius of LACES—using joy as a weapon, turning protest into pop, and reminding us that rebellion can still be danced to. The empowerment isn’t just in the message—it’s in the very act of claiming space, being loud, and refusing to stay silent.
If “Salt” is a taste of what’s to come from LACES this year, we’re not just ready—we’re hungry. In a landscape full of manufactured pop and empty posturing, Jessica Vaughn brings the realness, wrapped in style, sweat, and smarts. Listen up, follow along, and stay tuned for much more in the works by clicking those links below.
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