Sad13 is Speedy Ortiz singer/guitarist Sadie Dupuis’ solo project. Her first single “Get A Yes” is quite a divergence from her trademark deadpan vocal delivery and contortionist guitar lines, but this poppy little number is not altogether surprising.
Dupuis makes no bones about her love of pop culture and music, citing Nicki Minaj and Aaliyah as inspirations for Speedy Ortiz’s last album, Foil Deer, and tweeting on the regular about fashion, Starbucks, and comic books. “Get A Yes” features sparse yet fiercely melodic synth lines and plucky, distorted bass. Dupuis’ vocals are light and effortless, running up and slipping around instantly catchy lyrical bites. “Get A Yes” is Dupuis coming close to saccharine, a far cry from her almost scathing presence in Speedy Ortiz.
The song’s content, though, is very much what I have come to expect from Dupuis both as an outspoken advocate for women, and as a crushingly clever wordsmith. “Get A Yes” is a consent anthem. In the chorus Dupuis is playful but not mucking around when she knowingly burbles, “I say yes to the dress when I put it on/ I say yes if I want you to take it off”. Finally, she sings, “If you want to you’ve gotta get a yes”.
Dupuis explains that pop music often makes for the worst kind of sex education by implying that there are grey areas of consent in sexual encounters. “Get A Yes” clarifies that those grey areas don’t exist and every encounter should start with clear consent. But despite the serious subject matter, this is a fun song. I laughed outloud when Dupuis sings, “baby don’t hump me”, and I’ve been humming this track in my head from first listen. For bubbly, late ‘90s-esque pop bliss check out this track and keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming album “Slugger”.