Everyone’s invited to Lydia Night’s “Pity Party” …And it’s a hell of a party!
Official “Pity Party” single cover. Photographed by Waddon Media (@waddonmedia on Instagram)
“So cry for me or get out!”
Lydia Night doesn’t want your sympathy. The former Regrettes frontwoman released her debut solo single “Pity Party” last month. And it’s a hell of a party.
“Pity Party” was produced by Idarose and was released through Warner Records (part of Warner Music Group), and Lydia, along with Idarose, Mikey “Freedom” Hart, Tyler Spry and fellow singer UPSAHL penned the track.
The song starts with a building piano intro, then Lydia nonchalantly opens the song with the simple declaration, “I love the way I really hate myself.” The statement is definitely not what someone would expect to hear in a pop song, and underneath its campy pop sheen, “Pity Party” is a moody and insightful (yet sing-songy) tune that explores self-esteem, mental health and growing up.
Life in the spotlight
Lydia has definitely had her fair share of growing up in the spotlight. A West LA School of Rock alum, Night initially rose to prominence upon forming the pop rock duo Pretty Little Demons - consisting of Night and drummer Marlhy Murphy - in 2012.
As time went on, Pretty Little Demons morphed into what would eventually become The Regrettes in 2015. As The Regrettes, the band released three albums (2017’s “Feel Your Feelings Fool!” 2019’s “How Do You Love?” and their final album “Further Joy” in 2022, gaining fans with each release). The Regrettes called it quits in late 2023, following an eight-year run. Around the same time, Night also had a high profile relationship with “13 Reasons Why” actor/Wallows frontman Dylan Minette, whom she split from in late 2022. This brought her life even more into the spotlight.
As the song continues beyond the opening lines, Night pours her heart out, or rather spills her guts out (“My mood shows up on a conveyor belt / It’s crushing / my guts are on the floor”). This line really points to the strong emotion behind the song, and feeling like she’s being completely crushed by the spotlight.
“I said I wanted to get a normal job…” muses Night as the music continues over a thumping beat, “I romanticize the life I think I want.” It’s a line that is all too relatable to so many people. It’s only when she’s handing an unnamed friend or lover the bill, that Night gently reminds the person, “And you say you used to like my band” - a nod to her earlier days with The Regrettes. Lydia seems to say this with a shrug as she closes out the first verse.
It’s Lydia’s party and she’ll cry if she wants to
Lydia Night for “Kerrang!” Magazine. Photographed by unknown (April 4, 2025)
The competing soft versus loud dynamics throughout the song create a very effective push and pull that draws the listener in deeper. The chorus of “Pity Party” explodes into such catchiness that makes you want to belt it out in front of a mirror or scream-sing it with your best friends at a sleepover, but then the second verse finds Night delving into more serious topics - touching on her dad’s cancer diagnoses (“And Dad keeps tellin’ me that his end is near / Am I dyin’, waitin’ for him to die?”) along with her personal struggle with an eating disorder (“I’ll starve my body for the 17th time / Said I ate my lunch, what’s another lie?”)
The bridge talks about how Lydia hates that she pushes her friends away; she fears being alone as she grows older. She promises to quit self-harm, as she’s tired of wearing long sleeves.
Encouraging listeners to “Leave your problems at the door,” Night is done being mediocre. She just wants to be okay. And that’s enough for her.
After all, the pity party - as Night puts it - is “about me”.
“Pity Party” Official Music Video
A possible Album Title?
At press time, Night continues perfecting her debut solo album, which is to be released through Warner Records. Despite no confirmed album title and release date just yet, genius.com suggests the album could be titled “P.O.P.,” which is fitting considering Lydia Night is a newly-minted pop star in the making.
