On the surface, ‘Snakes and Ladders’ might appear as your run-of-the-mill dance-pop anthem, an uplifting, potent slice of charisma and confidence with a side of mainstream alt-pop flair and kinetic allure. Yet, at a deeper look, one quickly realises the highly meaningful and personal flair that hides between the song’s catchy, luscious melodies. Penned by Nottingham-based songstress Lucy Crisp, the single introduces the British artist at her most honest and authentic. Accepting the chaotic nature of the music industry and the difficulties in navigating it, Crisp is not letting herself be demoralised. Instead, she grabs the bull by the horns, so to speak, declaring her fierce attitude and her willingness to play the game.
In that sense, it’s easy to imagine fellow artists highly relate to ‘Snakes and Ladders’. In fact, anyone could easily see themselves in Crisp’s honest and bold lyricism: after all, life is a constant hustling exercise. Marking Lucy’s first release of the year, the track is quite the comeback, an explosive, unapologetic jewel that will no doubt reaffirm the project’s roaring status within the UK’s emerging artist landscape.
Reiterating the crucial reflection that brought the song to life, Crisp explains: “Life is a game of snakes and ladders. It’s a game we all play unconsciously but can’t get enough of. Whatever you roll always affects how the game plays out, whether you get bitten by the snakes or keep climbing.” There’s perhaps a hint of cynicism in it, but that’s certainly a welcome quality to have nowadays, especially in an industry and a global reality that’s ever divisive and toxic. Lucy Crisp is playing the game; she might win it, eventually.
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