IRENE boldly confronts music industry gatekeeping in new single “Gatekeeper”

Finnish alt-pop artist IRENE has released her latest single, “Gatekeeper.” A raw and emotional track that addresses the topic of gatekeeping in the music industry. The song is based on IRENE’s own experience with sexual violence at the hands of her piano teacher, which led her to confront the power structures that often hold artists back.

IRENE conveys a potent message in her lyrics, touching on the perils of trading values for access with the powerful line, “Eye for an eye, sex for access,” emphasizing the risks in the pursuit of success. She urges artists to build their careers on their own terms, even if it means a slower path to success.
IRENE’s music has been compared to the cinematic eccentricities of artists like Björk, Kate Bush, and Fever Ray. She writes, composes, and co-produces all of her music and has accumulated a million streams on Spotify. “Gatekeeper” is another layer of vulnerability and versatility from the talented artist, guaranteed to inspire listeners.