Key Lyric: “In my head, I did everything right.”
Supercut represents my mind’s constant tendency to replay the events described throughout the album. Through the “Oceanic Outro,” an instrumental section that pays homage to the hours I spent watching the ocean and reservoir following my assault, the song’s “Supercut” is understood to be intrusive memory rather than a past romance. Supercut provides a soft landing to sit in the intensity of For Boston’s aggressive depiction of sexual trauma.
Purpose (Why this song?)
Babylon is one of a few tracks on the album that has roots extending far beyond the life of this project. The production is based off of a remix to Babylon I made in late 2024 that was ultimately released under my “Jack Smith Dot CT” remix album/mixtape project from May 2025. When it came time to record this album and became clear that I was using the process to work through my PTSD from college, I knew I wanted to include Babylon due to the lyric “We Can Party Like Its BC.”
I’m resourceful, if nothing else, so it was quite easy for me to decide that I’d use the beat I already made for Babylon for my own version, too. My original remix had a lot of pitched down vocals, so it was as if I produced it for a man anyway and fit my voice quite easily. The mix came together quickly, but it actually ended up being the track I revisited most throughout the creation process. Over the course of Lent, I added a few small changes to the beat to bring in some cohesion with the rest of the album, so my version has some extra watery synths and even clips of me playing the bongos that aren’t featured in my original remix. I also spent hours mastering the track: I made it with a clubby feel in mind, so getting the kick and bass just right was one of my top priorities as I thought about publishing! My ears sure are glad I’m done with that process.
The Creative Process:
Enjoy the original remix that I created Supercut ‘s beat for!
Sonic Identity
Babylon goes for a “garage glam” vibe, combining DIY sounds with the kind of music that makes you want to strut. I’ve got some janky synths playing the Saxophone lines from Gaga’s original and include a few different bass sounds that all aim to give the track a dry, retro warmth.
Core Sounds
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Storyline
I must give credit where it is due. The main reason this song is on the album is actually because of my ex-boyfriend from my time at BC. We dated on the tail-end of Gaga’s Chromatica Era (See… this is how gays mark time) and loved to listen to it together. Mikey was always smarter than me, and I think he got a kick out of being able to blow my mind a little bit by simply pointing out that we were, indeed, partying like it was BC. From then on, I always loved the lyric. BC didn’t do yearbook quotes, but it stuck in the back of my head as something I’d use for something like that. I think I used it on the Instagram post with my graduation pictures, which I guess is close enough.
As it became clear that the album was shaping up to be about my PTSD from college, Babylon immediately got a slot on the album. In fact, it was the only choice for the project’s first track… For the line about BC alone! And I love it. That line introduces the listener to the notion that this is a lot more than just a cover album of pop songs. I also appreciate the song’s lack of emotional intensity. You see, some of the songs discuss and exist within themes that are really heavy. This is especially true for ‘For Boston,’ which follows this track in the album. Babylon gives the listener an entry point into the story that isn’t yet draped in trauma or its aftermath, allowing me to show the color and joy of my personality before jumping into some of the harder feelings I’m trying to alchemize with this album.
Key Moments
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As previously mentioned, this lyric is the reason for Babylon’s inclusion on the tracklist of this album. Already a cute cheeky line from the original, my rendition allows the lyric to become a play on words referring equally to the Era “Before Christ,” B.C, as well as the instituion of “Boston College,” BC.
Within the song, the line is emphasized through some additional background harmonies and a little chipmunk voice saying “oh, nice!” It kinda sounds like “all night,” too, which I like. Both work for the line!
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Before the final chorus and song outro, I have a section that centers vocals that have been pitched down considerably. I sang those lyrics with the intention of sounding commanding, envisioning myself as a sweaty athletic coach instructing my team to strut it out. It becomes an important moment in the song as a short shift in energy before exploding into the track’s finale, making the loud finale sound even louder than it actually is.
Personal Reflection (Post-Easter)
For Boston tells the story of my PTSD, asserting that color, vibrance, and glamour can exist alongside (and in spite of) darkness. The album documents my experience getting roofied in Florida on my 21st Birthday & explores the challenges of processing a uniquely queer traumatic experience while studying at a Catholic University that failed to provide adequate resources for LGBTQ+ Students, especially ones struggling with their mental health.
Hidden & Symbolic Meaning
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About For Boston:
For Boston tells the story of my PTSD, asserting that color, vibrance, and glamour can exist alongside (and in spite of) darkness. The album documents my experience getting roofied in Florida on my 21st Birthday & explores the challenges of processing a uniquely queer traumatic experience while studying at a Catholic University that failed to provide adequate resources for LGBTQ+ Students, especially ones struggling with their mental health.
For Boston started on a whim, to be honest. It was the 17th of February and my calendar app kept pinging me: First, about a solar eclipse. Then, I learned that it was Lunar New Year. Next, it let me know that Ramadan was just beginning. Finally, I got a notification letting me know it was Fat Tuesday, meaning the day before Lent. I was left thinking about how it symbolically felt like a really important day and began to feel a desire to use it as a reason to take a risk. See, I’d started toying around with recording my own vocals a day prior and generally had been reflecting on advice from others to take a “Leap of Faith” regarding the next step in my adult life: So that morning, it all just clicked. I realized I had to record an album!
Despite never having written or recorded a song of my own before, I had years of experience creating remixes and pop instrumentals. I gave myself permission to turn any overthinking off and use those musical skills with my own voice for the first time, just to see what I could come up with. As a remix lover, covers felt like they’d work well for this new process, and so it was decided: I would take the length of Lent to record and produce the album and cut myself off at Easter. As I write this on the day after Easter, the album is complete and has been sent to distribution. It’s been the most personally intense period of introspection and inner work I’ve ever done, and I got a pretty cool album out of it. Hope you’ll take a listen when its out on May 1st.