girli ‘Slap On The Wrist’ Review: A Bold New Alt-Pop Era

Look, we’ve all been there—it’s 2 AM, your heart is a mess, and you’re oscillating between wanting to cry and wanting to dance in a crowded room. That specific, chaotic energy is exactly what girli captures in her latest single, “Slap On The Wrist.”

If you’ve been following her journey from the DIY London scene to the main stages of SXSW and Mad Cool, you know she doesn’t do “filtered.” This track is the start of a brand-new era, and it feels like a homecoming to the gritty, neon-soaked energy that made us fall in love with her in the first place.

The Vibe: “Fun-But-Sad” Energy

Co-written with BBY, “Slap On The Wrist” is the ultimate heartbreak anthem for people who are tired of polite acoustic ballads. It’s hook-laden, synth-driven, and anchored by the kind of distorted guitar riffs that belong in a sweaty, packed basement venue.

It’s a song that leans into the contradictions of being human:

• The Sound: High-octane alt-pop that makes you want to move.

• The Lyrics: Razor-sharp honesty about the sting of a breakup.

• The Result: A track that feels like a night out in London—loud, messy, and totally cathartic.

Why girli is the Voice We Need Right Now

What makes girli stand out in a sea of curated pop stars is her radical honesty. She’s never been afraid to go there—tackling everything from identity and sexuality to feminism and mental health.

This new era finds her more “her” than ever before. She’s becoming more outspoken, more political, and more intentional. Across two albums and a pile of EPs, she has built a community (not just a fanbase) of people who see their own vulnerability and fire reflected in her music.

“I’m leaning into being more outspoken… more intentionally me.”

A New Era of Alt-Pop

“Slap On The Wrist” isn’t just a single; it’s a statement. It’s girli shaking up the alt-pop landscape and reminding us that there is power in being “too much.”

Whether she’s playing a headline set at Heaven or crashing through your headphones, girli’s mission remains the same: to meet her listeners exactly where they are—usually in the middle of a “big feeling”—and make them feel seen.