Future Hit: Julia Michaels Comes Out Swinging With “Issues”

Mike Wass | January 13, 2017 6:15 pm

Julia Michaels helped shape the sound of 2015/2016 as much as anyone with multiple credits on Selena Gomez’s Revival, Justin Bieber’s Purpose and Britney Spears’ Glory. The 23-year-old is now hoping to make the leap from songwriter to pop star with debut single “Issues,” which arrives today (January 13) via Republic. And she’s off to a flying start. Produced by Benny Blanco and Stargate, the deceptively upbeat bop that falls somewhere between “Good For You” and Gwen Stefani’s “Misery.” Which is obviously a very good thing.

“I’m jealous, I’m overzealous,” the budding diva begins the song. “When I’m down, I get real down.” Just when you think you’re in for a break-up anthem, the “Carry Me” singer flips it around in the chorus. “Cause I got issues but you got ’em too, so give ’em all to me and I’ll give mine to you.” It can be hard for songwriters to carve out a unique voice when they step out on their own (after all, they are chameleons by trade), but it doesn’t look like that will be a problem for Julia. Listen to her impressive debut below.

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