On October 27, American-Chilean pop goddess Marilyn Hucek released her latest single, “Internet Romance,” which chronicles the chilling tale of a close family member’s online dating scare. When something feels too good to be true, most likely, it is. Hucek’s song serves as a timely reminder of the importance of trusting your instincts outside of the tangled, blinding web of love.
Hucek’s inspiration for “Internet Romance” had been in a low place until she met a “cute guy with a jet and a mansion” online, instantly believing that she had found her soulmate. From their objective view, audiences recognize the shortcoming in this deduction and can already predict that the story will not end well. The protagonist has been swept off of her feet by superficial frills without regard to her lover’s compatibility as a person. What about his personality? Values? Intellect? Background?
“In our online world, it’s easy to hide behind a mask, or worse, a stolen identity,” said the D.C.-based artist. “Online dating can be a scary place. We have to be aware of the red flags, trust but verify, and proceed with caution.” Hucek also underscored the importance of staying connected to a friend throughout the process who has your best interests at heart.
“Internet Romance” was further influenced by Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler,” a documentary about a group of women who were scammed by an online dating app. After learning that they fell victim to a common predator, the women decide to join forces and fight back. Women empowering women is a signature theme of Marilyn Hucek’s impressive growing body of work, as evidenced by “Boy Drama,” “Girls Girl,” and one of my personal favorites, “I’m Not Sorry.”
The bridge of “Internet Romance” is brilliant and hands-down one of the track’s most memorable elements. “I can’t do nothing else / But sit on the couch and wait for your text,” Hucek sings three times in a row, as if in a trance.
Her cadence is intentionally prolonged and dramatic, symbolic of the intoxicating infatuation of new love. Despite the song’s serious subject matter, listeners cannot help but be amused by the absurdity of the lyrics because in them, they catch glimpses of their own lovesick selves. Similarly, the “internet romance” motif that anchors the song gets stuck in your head like an obsession.
“Internet Romance” was produced by Becca Rogers, mixed by Billy, and mastered by Izzy McPhee from Weird Jungle, with vocal production by Elizabeth Maniscalco. Drawing from dance pop, with pulsing electronic instrumentation, the track is powerful in its simplicity, allowing Hucek’s lead and background vocals to take center stage. Intricate sound effects like a text notification are worked into the production cleverly with precision.
Since joining the music scene full-time in 2020, Marilyn Hucek has released an EP and several singles, and amassed a following of more than 100K monthly Spotify listeners, as well as 1 million streams – and she is just getting started. Citing Robyn, Halsey, Lady Gaga, and Kim Petras as muses, Hucek channels a distinct style of her own that is fearless and captivating, yet all-at-once accessible. She is an artist who knows her worth and will not settle for anything less.
Check out Marilyn Hucek’s “Internet Romance” official visualizer below and find the song on Spotify here. Follow our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist for more great music featured on the site, and stay tuned for what promises to be great things to come from this star in the making.
Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.
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