If Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” didn’t convince you to ditch the loser in your life, let Fanny Andersen remind you of some home truths. The Norwegian artist’s “Not A Toy” whips up springy synths with purposeful vocals and quirky pitch-shifted moments, as well as a catchy chorus that advises: “Rule #1/ If he plays dumb/ He’s a player/ Rule #2/ When he got another you/ He’s a player.” Produced by Kito, it follows Fanny’s spring 2017 video “Kids,” which was an honest depiction of her dating life as a bisexual woman.
Over email, Fanny explained more about “Not A Toy”: “The song is about a relationship that isn't working, where the boy isn't treating the girl right. So many of my friends, and me, have been in relationships like this and I just felt like I've had enough! So it’s an anthem about all the players out there. In relationships like that, where you don't get what you want from the boy, there is this psycho inside of you (I don't know about everyone, but for me it was like that) that's being unleashed. That's what I tried to portray, when you get past that point of common sense and you just go a bit insane.”
Watch the "Not A Toy" lyric video above.
Fanny Andersen
Photo by Sequoia Ziff