earth2zoe may not be sad all the time, but sometimes her songs are.
Zoe Katzberg, also known as earth2zoe, is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter helping to usher in a whole new generation of sad girl pop music in the vein of Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, Halsey, and Lorde with her second single, “ok bye.” Arguably spearheaded by GRAMMY darling Billie Eilish, pop music’s new era of “sad girl pop” is tinged with youthful rebellion and a dash of pop-punk flair a lá Y2K. TikTok and the rest of social media have helped to spread the music of the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae, Gayle, Ashley Kutcher, Gracie Abrams, and Clairo. Gone are the days of moody Tumblr blogs and the grungy aesthetic of the 2010s. This era of artists has ushered in a resurgence all their own, shimmering in the fast-paced snowglobe of filters and erupting trends that encompass music’s most important new field: TikTok.
Like Gayle or Tate McRae, earth2zoe utilizes TikTok as a tool for self-promotion. Gayle launched her career off the back of the huge TikTok trend that was “abcdefu,” which spawned a slew of remixes and catapulted Gayle to the top of Spotify playlists. Seeing the ability to pair music with visuals vis-a-vis TikTok, Zoe used her debut single “Hallie’s Song” as background music over a funny Boxing Day moment about the lack of open dressing rooms, which racked up over 900k views. In another, she teases an unreleased track called “Confessions,” which garnered almost 20k views. And most recently, a TikTok showing screenshots from a text conversation with an ex became promo for her latest single, “ok bye.” The draw that creating a TikTok presence generates is the same as the one that came from Tumblr back in the day, or YouTube, or Twitter. The root of it all is exclusivity and connection, and that’s what intertwines these artists and the music they make with the foundations of a fanbase built through the internet.
“Sad girl pop” may sound depressing, but its catharsis is just the same as the release emo fans got from moshing at a My Chemical Romance concert in the 2000s. It’s an important facet of our musical landscape, and, as Zoe herself says:
“Sad girl music is important!! Sometimes we need that song to cry to and get lost in our feels. ‘ok bye’ is definitely a sad girl song!! I think for girls in particular sad music is a necessity as girls are more emotional but low-key about it. I found growing up I never liked to talk about my feelings and I’d rather let it out through listening to music or making music, especially the ‘sad girl’ vibe music. Being sad is an emotion of life, you’re not the only person who can be sad and it’s totally okay.”
For earth2zoe, making her mark on music means locking in on a specific twist to a sad song that makes it impossible to forget. Upon first listen, “ok bye” sticks in your head like bubblegum. It’s honest and relatable and backed by sparkly production which makes it the perfect fit for playlisting. She says, “Sometimes when a relationship doesn’t work out you feel crushed at first but now looking back on it, it opened a lot more doors for me, and ended up being a positive experience. So although a breakup song can give you the feels I think we made the production sit just right where it can be interpreted by the listener [as something more positive].”
It’s a sad song, yet it makes you want to turn the speakers all the way up and play it with the windows down as you cruise through town or a lonely highway. She has managed to capture lightning in a bottle: making a sad song an absolute bop.
The effect is similar on “Hallie’s Song,” which is about Zoe’s real-life BFF and how they grew apart. Making the song so personal is what makes earth2zoe that much more intriguing. She’s bringing back the days of feeling like Halsey was just another one of our mutuals online going through the same issues as everyone else their age. On her official website, the bio reads, “earth2zoe’s restless, youthful insights will remind you to find a place where you belong – because life is hard, and you do not need to struggle alone.” And that’s just it––youth is restless and that’s what makes young artists like Zoe so compelling. The subject matter of “Hallie’s Song” and “ok bye” is relatable to any age, but when it happens at a pivotal time in life when everything changes drastically and you’re finding out how to become your fully-realized self, it aches so much more.
Of course, sad girl singers don’t always remain sad (cue Happier Than Ever, or Olivia O’Brien). But the basis for the journey to happiness is the growth that happens in between.
With both “Hallie’s Song” and “ok bye,” earth2zoe has established the start of a music career that could mirror that of sad girl songwriter extraordinaire like Fletcher or Sasha Alex Sloan. Her sharp lyricism and unique tone lend themselves to crafting an artist worth getting to know, and making us want to know more. These two earth2zoe singles feel like the beginnings of a fiery comet, set to launch through the sky and settle among pop music’s most electrifying stars. Keep your eyes peeled for shooting stars because this one’s journey is going to be a brilliant one to watch. Read more of what earth2zoe revealed about “ok bye,” her go-to artists, and more below.
Keke Magazine: Your song “ok bye” is so infectious and extremely relatable! You so easily dip into that space of being young where things are felt so viscerally. How do you get there? Does that come naturally?
earth2zoe: I think that’s something that makes this song so special. The emotions and feelings just flowed so easily while writing this. I wrote this about an actual relationship that just didn’t work and I remember feeling like that was the end of the world––to be at a point where you’re going to say “ok bye.” But it’s like saying it sadly and happily at the same time.
KM: How do you want your music to be received by fans? What space do you want to carve out for yourself in the music industry?
E2Z: I want my fans to relate in some way to what I sing about, and even find their own personal meaning to my songs. Perhaps also create music that crosses spatial boundaries.
KM: What went into the decision to make the “ok bye” cover art a continuation or variation of the “Hallie’s Song” cover art? Do you feel like the songs are connected in some way?
E2Z: The artwork for “ok bye” was a variation of my “Hallie’s Song” artwork. It was a sentimental piece I drew in kindergarten. I figured “ok bye” was about a boy I don’t like very much hahaha, so it would be cool to make a variation of a boy and keep the X’s over the eyes to symbolize me not liking them very much.
KM: How did “ok bye” begin? What piece of it came first?
E2Z: I remember the session for “ok bye” so clearly!! We started it stripped down with chords on the piano and I started humming the pre-chorus melody and everyone in the room (Josh & Ryan) was like “OMG!!” and we just continued writing the song!
KM: Do you have any rituals or routines when it comes to songwriting?
E2Z: I feel like creativity can spark at any moment and there’s nothing in particular that triggers it. I find myself writing normally after the hours of 10 p.m. Something about nighttime has just become a writing ritual for me.
KM: The bridge/production almost leans into being slightly more upbeat than the subject matter. It feels like a song you can jam to in the car even if you’re in your feels. What went into those choices?
E2Z: When I say there were tons of versions production-wise for “ok bye”––there were TONS!! I was sitting on this song for almost 2 years now. I think it was more so about when the right time to release it was. Although “ok bye” is sad and the subject of the song is sad, sometimes saying “ok bye” can be happy too.
KM: Where does your stage name earth2zoe come from?
E2Z: I’m always in my own world when writing my songs [and] sometimes I tune out of the real world and just find myself in “space” writing about real-life shit. Someone could be talking to me but if I’m songwriting I’m in my own world.
KM: What artists are essentials on your go-to playlist?
E2Z: Currently bumping tons of Camila Cabello, Lauv, Julia Michaels, and Charli XCX.
KM: As an artist, what or who has formed you into who you are?
E2Z: I would honestly start by saying my mom. She was my very first influence as she was a singer herself, but more importantly, she took me to every singing lesson, studio session, [and] audition which really formed me into who I am today aside from my musical influences.
KM: What’s one thing you’d tell young girls to say “ok bye” to?
E2Z: Anyone who ever makes you feel pressured. Never do anything you don’t feel is right for you. I recently tweeted something that I wish I told my younger self “Deleting ur savage paragraph to text back ok bye is another level of self-control.”
KM: What can we look forward to from you?
E2Z: Definitely more music!
Stream “ok bye” here.
Stream “Hallie’s Song” here.
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