Halsey Releases S&M-Themed Video for New Punk Rock Track “Safeword”

New Single Release

Halsey has unveiled an entirely new single titled Safeword—you can listen to it below and check out its NSFW video.

This track marks the first release from the singer-songwriter since her fifth and latest studio album, “The Great Impersonator,” which dropped in October of last year. She teased the melody at the start of this week.

Exploring Themes of Dominance

Featuring gritty electric guitar and a punk rock influence, Safeword finds Halsey exploring her fantasies surrounding Dominatrix themes.

The official music video for “Safeword,” directed by Lana Jay Lacca, opens with Halsey donning leather as she places her foot on the throat of a masked submissive. The visuals later shift as she struts in black latex attached to a chain, flipping the script on power dynamics.

“Yes, sir, no, sir, on all fours / Are you ready to get what you were waiting for? / I am not a criminal, I am just a wild child / I’m not a bad girl, I just like this wild style / I’m heavy, I mean, I’m rude / Just say a safeword when you’ve had enough– Halsey proclaims, making it clear who holds the power with, “I don’t have to listen to you / You are not the boss of me!“

In another verse, she exclaims: “You go, yes, I’m taking off you / We are going to ride, I am the queen of this city / I have a bad reputation from the jump / I received applause from the playground.

You can watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP28WJQW2QK

10 minutes before the Safeword video is unsafe for work. Or a bus. Or late breakfast with parents. Or your jealous guy. enjoy https://t.co/4rrx2edtqz

– h (@halsey) February 27, 2025

In a playful warning about the visual effects, Halsey stated: “It is unsafe for work. Or a bus. Or late breakfast with parents. Or your jealous guy. Enjoy.” See the update above.

In a recent interaction with a fan on X/Twitter, Halsey mentioned that she will perform several new songs during her 2025 North American tour, ‘for my last trick.’ When another user asked her for a single word to describe Safeword, she replied: “Obedience.”

Reviewing her previous album, NME remarked on “The Great Impersonator,” noting: “Looking back at my recent catalog, the ‘manical’ is more stylistically diverse, while ‘If I can’t have love, I want power’ is more ambitious, but the ‘great impersonator’ is Halsey’s most honest album, if you choose to believe her.”

The record also secured the 39th spot on NME‘s list of the 50 best albums of 2024, with the single “Lonely Is Muse” making its way into our 50 best songs of the year.