Dublin pop riser Pastiche shares the infectious and evocative new single ‘Hot Mess Express’, taken from the upcoming EP Femme Fatality (Oct 16th).
The solo project of Jade Roche, Pastiche has built a reputation as one of the most exciting new pop artists to come out of Ireland. Released fresh off the back of a standout performance at Forbidden Fruit and being named as RTE 2FM’s Rising artist for 2025, the solo artist has been riding a wave of critical acclaim and national radio support towards the release of the new EP.
Produced with Alex O’Keefe, the new single Hot Mess Express delves into the complexities of the female experience—an overarching theme that defines the songwriting throughout Femme Fatality. Written during a dark time in Jade’s life, she was dealing with an Endometriosis and Adenomyosis diagnosis, undergoing egg freezing at just 26, friendship breakdowns, on top of the upheaval of moving back in with her mom after years of living in London. Hot Mess Express is built on substance and how losing control was the only thing she could control.
Musically, the track brings fluorescent melodies, danceable beats, and infectious electronic instrumentation while lyrically exploring themes of strength, vulnerability, and self-perception through a glossy pop lens.
Talking about the track, Pastiche explains: “Pastiche, for me, is what I always wanted to be as a woman – strong, independent, confident, all the things that I wish I was but that I feel like I’m not.
It’s a song about spiralling, something I tend to do quite often. I get nervous when things are going well, because I know in an instant everything can fly completely off the tracks. I long for stability, comfort and love but that’s not really what you get in this industry or this life. This song represents for me the moment where the chaos catches up with you. Sometimes you really just need to feel out of control to gain that control. I’m in control of being out of control.
‘Hot Mess Express’ is not pretty, it’s unhinged, it’s tongue-in-cheek—but it represents something real: exhaustion, frustration, the pressure to always be okay, to be perfect, the weight we bear just being women. It’s about losing it and owning it at the same time. Sometimes, being a ‘mess’ is the most honest version of yourself—and the most dangerous.”
The upcoming EP Femme Fatality is described by Pastiche as “an unapologetic, dark, and honest reflection on the female experience”. Delving into introspective and intimate themes, including body image, sexuality, infertility, and self-worth, while celebrating resilience and transformation, the EP delivers thought provoking commentary whilst still retaining a glistening commercial edge.
Pastiche has quickly gained momentum and traction across Irish media, with previous releases landing on Spotify Editorial playlists (NMF, NPOPUK, EQUAL) and securing radio play across all major Irish stations and BBC NI as well as press support across the likes of The Irish Independent, DMY, Notion, GoldenPlec, Hot Press and Nialler9 to name just a few. With heavy support from the likes of Today FM and RTE, her breakout single ‘Forfeit Control’ peaked at No. 3 on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart, charting for six weeks, and reaching No. 9 on All Radio (Irish Artists) and No. 39 on All Radio. Their 2024 singles amassed an impressive 12.5 million radio impacts in Ireland.
Also a seasoned live performer, Pastiche has played packed at shows across the likes of Primavera Pro, Iceland Airwaves, Rock Against Homelessness @ 3Olympia, Other Voices Wales, Indiependence, Sea Sessions, The Ruby Sessions, Dublin Pride, and Ireland Music Week. Opening for renowned artists including Alice Glass, Aiko, Casey Lowry, Robert Grace, Lyra, and Aimee, Pastiche also recently headlined iconic venues Whelan’s and The Grand Social.
Artwork by Leah Roche
Pastiche – Hot Mess Express
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