Bailey Spinn is not easing into her next chapter. In fact, with “Critical,” the rising rock artist flips a switch into something darker, heavier, and more exposed. The new single (which just dropped on November 14) finds her teaming up with producer and co-writer Erik Ron (Panic! At The Disco, Set It Off, Black Veil Brides) for a track that feels like a deliberate jolt to the system. Big guitars, soaring vocals, and a chorus that hits like a confession, “Critical” is wired straight into the panic of self-destruction and the stubborn urge to pull yourself back from the edge.

It is also a fitting next move for an artist who has already spent years living in front of an audience. With more than 20 million followers and billions of views across platforms, Bailey has basically grown up online, building a tight-knit fanbase around her music, her sense of humor, and even her honesty about mental health. Her debut album loser, released in March 2025, only pushed that connection further, with vulnerable rock anthems that turned streaming numbers into something a little more personal.

Now, with “Critical,” that evolution snaps into focus, and Bailey sounds less like a newcomer going viral and more like an artist staking out the lane she plans to own.

“critical” digs into self-destruction, isolation, and trying to pull yourself back before things go too far. What part of that story came from real life, and what did you want listeners to hear in the lyrics?

Bailey Spinn: “critical” was written all from my real-life experiences but turned into a dark story where your light is taken from you. While creating this song, I was stuck in my own life, feeling trapped without any forward movement. I desperately wanted something to change before I lost my spark entirely. I felt almost half-alive. I hope listeners can take away the story of self-sabotage, begging for a way to escape from a life lacking excitement. I also hope they can understand that the only person who can change your life is you, and sometimes you need to take a leap of faith.

You worked on “critical” with Erik Ron, who has been behind some huge rock records. How did that collaboration change the way you approached your vocals and the heaviness of the track?

Bailey Spinn: Erik Ron was such a great collaborator to have on “critical,” as he really understood the vision I was going for. I had never written a melody over such a heavy track, so I upped the intensity and trusted in Erik to create a catchy riff. During that collaboration, I told Erik my references were on the heavier side, such as Poppy, Spiritbox, and Evanescence. He is a great writer who I learned a lot from, while also challenging me to try singing in ways I hadn’t before. He coached me on things like pronunciation, harmonies, and melodies. His understanding of my vision and knack for creating catchy rock songs really helped bring everything to life.

“critical” is also described as a kind of Gen Z answer to Evanescence. How do you feel about that comparison, and what helped you in shaping the mood and sound of this track?

Bailey Spinn: I’m extremely flattered by the comparison to Evanescence. I am a huge fan of Amy Lee. I’d say their album Fallen gave me a lot of inspiration for “critical,” from coloring to lyrics. I wanted to bring the elements I loved from them into the song, while also putting a modern twist on it. I was inspired by other bands as well, like Bad Omens, Flyleaf, and Bring Me The Horizon. From the start, I knew I wanted the mood to feel a bit unsettling and dark, like a horror movie. The sound was unexpected, coming from me, and I wanted to shock my fans a little.

Your debut album loser and songs like “happy ending” introduced a lot of people to your rock side. What did that first album teach you about the kind of artist you want to be going forward?

Bailey Spinn: Creating my first album taught me that I wanted to be a vulnerable artist who always pushes to improve and change. At the time, I had never created a project that big before, and I explored many different avenues of rock in my songs. The album helped me to realize I loved the intensity of the heavier tracks, and I wanted to explore that more moving forward. I wanted to be an artist with an extremely strong vision, planning out everything from styling details to how my promotion will look. I’m definitely a visual learner, and I realized that creating a strong look and story could help my storytelling.

You have more than 20 million followers who have watched you move from POV videos into this loud, emotional rock lane. How have they responded to the heavier songs so far—and has that reaction made it easier for you to lean into vulnerability in your music?

Bailey Spinn: My audience has been super supportive of the heavier music so far, which honestly surprised me. They love the new dark sound that I have been going for, and many people have made a comparison to Evanescence. Their support has made it so much easier to open up and venture further into the sound, knowing they’ll still support my vision. I can’t wait to share even more of the darker sound with them!

Visually, you lean into strong concepts with each era. How would you describe the world you are building around “critical” whether it’s just purely internal, or ideas you executed?

Bailey Spinn: The world of “critical” is dark and eerie. I pictured the song being played at nighttime, somewhere haunted and slightly unsettling. I love to visualize my concepts, and “critical” I imagined being stranded on a road that leads to nowhere. You’re walking forever in the cold, hoping for something to change, but nothing looks familiar anymore. The wildlife is dying around you, and you know you need to take action before it’s too late. For my artwork, I chose a dark blue color to depict the cold feeling, using darker makeup and heavy alternative styling. I love to follow a dark and eerie theme during most of my songwriting, and I'd say my next project will sit in the same dark, cold world as “critical”.

“critical” and “fear of going out” both feel like they belong on a bigger, connected project. Are you thinking about these songs as part of a larger story, whether that is a future album or a new era you are mapping out?

Bailey Spinn: Definitely! “critical” and “fear of going out” were a small step into the next chapter of my music. I’ve been working on my sophomore album, which will be darker, heavier, and much more intense than ever before. “critical” and “fear of going out” will both be on the album, along with more shocking songs. The new era of my music will be loud and unexpected!