Following her SAMA nomination for her sophomore album and her first single, BIG TALKER, following that release. The South African alt-pop artist channels chaos, heartbreak, and unapologetic truth in her latest track.
Cape Town, South Africa — Bold, biting, and brutally honest, CARLA FRANCO’s brand new single HOT MESS is here — and it’s a sonic firestorm you won’t forget. Known for her emotionally charged storytelling and genre-bending sound, the hearing-impaired singer-songwriter pulls no punches in this fierce, cathartic anthem about loving someone who just can’t love you back the right way.
HOT MESS was born from the emotional rollercoaster of a toxic relationship — the kind where confusion and contradiction replace stability and care. “It’s about being stuck in a cycle with someone who’s hot and cold, where love feels more like a mind game than a connection,” CARLA explains. “I think we’ve all had that one person who can’t make up their mind — and it leaves you feeling like the crazy one.”
Beneath the playful jabs and sharp wit lies a deeper message: HOT MESS explores the emotional toll of inconsistency in relationships and the strength it takes to finally walk away. “It’s messy love. It’s fighting to keep your dignity when you’re being disrespected, gaslit, or taken for granted,” she says. “But it’s also about finding your voice again — even if it’s loud, chaotic, or imperfect.”
Buy / Stream Hot Mess – https://lnkfi.re/cfhotmess
The track came together in a collaborative fashion with another local songwriter, and with Jono Greyling as the producer. A process that defies CARLA’s usual approach and took place over a three to four day period. “I was honestly just so done, so frustrated, and so hurt. I knew I still loved her so much but all of the emotions needed a home to live in, thus birthing HOT MESS.” CARLA recalls. “The lyrics spilled out like journal entries. The sarcasm, the pain, the humour — it was all real. This wasn’t about overthinking melodies or perfect lines; it was about an emotional release.”
Recorded in Cape Town, HOT MESS blends gritty pop-rock energy with alternative flair. “We kept the production raw and punchy to match the lyrics — sharp drums, distorted guitars, and layered vocals that reflect the emotional volatility,” she says. “It’s messy by design. We wanted it to sound like the chaos it represents.”
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