Rosemarie Albanese is back with her brand-new single, “Killjoy.” Released on December 25th as a Christmas gift to her fans, the song was inspired by a Mitski concert in Brooklyn, where Rosemarie found herself deeply moved by her artistry. “I was meditating on her artistry and themes, and some of that seemed to resonate within me,” she recalls.
“Killjoy” explores her upbringing in a “very conservative evangelical church” and the lingering feeling of “I’m not perfect” that sometimes emerges in adulthood. For the Italian-American/Haitian singer, the track serves as her second single, following the love and self-sacrifice-themed “Heavy Hitter.”
More music is on the way this year, as Rosemarie has confirmed she is currently recording new material and aims to release her debut EP before the end of 2025. In the meantime, you can dive deeper into her creative process in Rosemarie’s latest interview with InMusic.
Can you tell us about your new single, “Killjoy”?
I wrote the first verse of this song on my way to a Mitski concert at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. There’s a kind of magic that happens when you’re on your way to see one of your favorite artists. I was meditating on her artistry and themes, and some of that seemed to resonate within me.
What’s the meaning behind this song?
The song is called Killjoy, and how I’ve often felt like one (being too serious at inopportune times, or not ‘getting the joke’). The song is also about growing up and navigating expectations of being a girl” (cue “I’m Just A Girl”).
In the chorus, the lyric, “Everyone says that meek and mild is pretty,” directly alludes to this. Growing up in a very conservative evangelical church, I never felt meek or mild. I felt…almost alien, like I didn’t fit in. Those feelings sometimes carry over into adulthood—moments of self-doubt or feeling like I’m not “perfect.” But by the end of the song, I’m like, screw it: “So what, I guess that I am a killjoy.” These days, I embrace standing out as a sad girl, a killjoy, and I’m totally okay with that.
This is your second release. How do you feel your music is evolving?
I feel like I’m taking more risks with my lyrics and exploring different themes, whether they come from my own experiences, the people around me, or stories that inspire me in literature and on screen.
In our first conversation, you teased your debut EP, which is scheduled for 2025. How has the journey been so far, and what can fans expect from this project?
It’s going so well! Balancing a full-time job as a strategist and being an independent artist comes with all the expected challenges—like not having enough time to write as much as I’d like. But working with my producer, Collin at Sword and Dagger, has been a much-needed steady throughline. We record frequently, and I’m really excited about the new songs that will be on the EP. I can’t wait to share them.
What are your goals for 2025?
My first goal is to release my EP by the end of the year. My second goal is to perform my songs live somewhere in Brooklyn, where I’m from. I have so many friends in the music industry, and I’d love to collaborate with them on a live performance.
Finally, what has been a standout moment for you in 2024?
Collaborating with my friends on my first-ever music video for Killjoy has been surreal. I’ve known these people for over a decade, and now we’re booking shooting locations, choreographing, and filming together. It’s a dream come true to work on something so meaningful with people I care about deeply.
Listen to Rosemarie Albanese’s new single “Killjoy” on our Spotify playlist:
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