In a time when authenticity is both demanded and discouraged, Ready, Steady, Die! returns with a thunderclap of vulnerability in WYSIWYG. Short for “What You See Is What You Get,” the duo’s latest single is far more than an auditory experience — it’s a declaration. A haunting, high-energy tribute to International Drag Day, the track and its accompanying short film blaze a trail through themes of identity, expression, and emotional survival.
What sets WYSIWYG apart is its genesis — not from a melody or riff, but from a concept and script. This reverse-engineered approach, born of collaboration with director Max Clendaniel and writer Matt Riley, births a short film where the song scores the story rather than merely decorating it. The result is an immersive emotional experience, with cinematic beats that mirror the song’s surging basslines and crushing industrial drums.
Musically, the track is a masterclass in fusion. Cinematic new wave pulses beneath gritty electronic textures, while Sam K’s ethereal vocals hover like a ghost over the beat. The Zeppelin-esque wall of sound that crashes in post-chorus adds a visceral punch, bringing emotional catharsis to a song already brimming with tension. It’s not just a track you hear — it’s one you feel in your chest.
Visually, WYSIWYG tells the story of a man shedding his 9-to-5 persona to embrace his true identity through drag performance. Equal parts surreal and sincere, the film paints a vivid portrait of the masks we wear and the freedom we crave. From awkward encounters to moments of liberation, it captures the raw humanity behind the glamour — and that’s where its power lies.
As their most accessible and pop-leaning release to date, WYSIWYG represents a thrilling evolution for Ready, Steady, Die! — without sacrificing the emotional depth that defines them. It’s a gutsy, genre-blurring anthem that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt the need to hide, only to finally break free. If this is what we can expect from their next chapter, the future sounds incredible.
