We Speak Music
Jordan Cracknell’s Neon Manifesto Is Electric In ‘Gordon Gekko’
Jordan Cracknell isn’t messing around. Her debut single “Gordon Gekko” bursts out of the gate with a fire that’s impossible to ignore. Where most artists might tread carefully with their first release, Cracknell arrives swinging, armed with a concept that takes Wall Street bravado and flips it into a dancefloor weapon. The result is a track that demands attention—loud, unapologetic, and dripping with ambition.
Co-produced with Tom Marlow, best known for shaping the soundtracks to Love Island, the song is a tightly wound explosion of synths and beats. It’s built for peak-hour energy, but it’s got teeth—every note seems sharpened with intent. Cracknell’s vocal delivery seals the deal: spoken-word verses delivered like declarations of war, with every syllable ringing out like a challenge.
Lyrically and thematically, Cracknell isn’t afraid to poke the bear. By taking Gordon Gekko—cinema’s ultimate symbol of ruthless, suited-up capitalism—and reimagining him through a female lens, she questions why ambition has always been gendered. The line between satire and celebration blurs, and that tension is what makes the song so alive. It’s witty, it’s biting, and it’s daring enough to provoke.
Musically, “Gordon Gekko” doesn’t lose its grip. The synths scorch, rising and falling with a heat that feels almost cinematic, while the bass carries an addictive weight. The track calls back to 80s house without ever sounding dated, a trick that puts Cracknell firmly in conversation with today’s most forward-thinking pop-electronic artists. You can hear shades of Raye’s fearless honesty and Fred Again’s emotional rush, but Cracknell filters it all through her own lived experience.
If this is where Cracknell starts, it’s thrilling to imagine where she’ll go next. “Gordon Gekko” is more than just a debut—it’s a gauntlet thrown down. Fierce, clever, and club-ready, it positions Cracknell as a voice that wants to dominate both dancefloors and conversations. Watch out: she’s only just getting started.
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
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