Halsey is turning heads once again with their daring, boundary-pushing new music video for “Safeword,” released Thursday, February 27. The alt-pop icon, 30, continues to embrace their wild side with this NSFW visual, blending elements of BDSM with a fierce, punk-rock energy that draws on influences from Ramones and Bikini Kill.
Directed by the visionary Lana Jay Lackey, stylist and editor-in-chief of Sedition Magazine, the video kicks off with Halsey showcasing their signature bold style: studded underwear, a leather jacket, knee-high boots, and a leather cap. From there, things only heat up.
As the raucous track plays, Halsey transforms into a dominant force—dressed in a dominatrix-inspired ensemble, they command the space, kicking a man clad in a leather mask onto the floor. The provocative lyrics echo their fierce energy: “Pin me to the floor, swing me by the neck/ Locked behind a door, is it time yet?” they howl, taking control of the scene with unapologetic force.
The narrative then takes an unexpected turn, with Halsey becoming the one in submission. Bound in ropes and punished by a leather-masked figure, the video intensifies with scenes of Halsey in increasingly compromising positions, including hanging upside down in a mesh bra, playfully enjoying a milkshake served on a latex-covered “human coffee table,” and even simulating masturbation.
“Safeword” arrives just months after Halsey released The Great Impersonator, their highly anticipated fifth studio album. With this album, Halsey paid tribute to musical icons, channeling influences like Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, and Kate Bush. The bold visuals in “Safeword” align with the album’s fearless exploration of identity, art, and personal freedom.
But Halsey’s artistry doesn’t stop with music. Earlier this month, they announced the 2025 For My Last Trick tour, a major North American trek that will bring the “Without Me” hitmaker to cities across the U.S. and Canada. The tour kicks off May 10 in Concord, California, and will feature special guests including Evanescence, Alvvays, Sir Chloe, and many more.
This latest release and upcoming tour promise to solidify Halsey’s status as one of the most daring and dynamic figures in the music industry today.
Read more:
