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Fiona Apple Is Trying to Write About the “Endless Barrage of Horrors” But Struggling, She Says in Sincere Video
Fiona Apple has posted a candid video to social media addressing her creative struggles, admitting she is finding it hard to write music about current world events, which she described as an "endless barrage of horrors". The video, shared to Instagram on Friday by her friend and roommate Zelda Hallman, saw the musician offer a heartfelt update after being "overtaken with the urge to reach out" during a night of writing. The clip matters as a rare, unguarded glimpse into the artist's process and her wish to reassure fans that her silence does not reflect apathy towards contemporary issues.
In the video, Apple explained that writing personal material is simpler because "you're the authority" and "nobody can get let down", whereas tackling subjects concerning others raises her expectations of herself and makes the process far harder. She acknowledged she may be "letting perfect get in the way of good", and that the relentless stream of distressing news makes it difficult to focus, leading her to second-guess her creative choices. Apple stressed she did not want people to think she was "turning a blind eye" or "didn't care", concluding with the vulnerable admission that she felt she was letting herself down as an artist.
In short
- Fiona Apple says she is struggling to write about current world events.
- She posted a candid video update to Instagram on Friday.
- Personal songs feel easier; writing about others raises her self-expectations.
Explained simply
Fiona Apple is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter known for emotionally direct and often politically engaged work spanning three decades. Her albums arrive sporadically, with years sometimes passing between releases, making her creative output a closely watched subject among both fans and music observers.
Many contemporary artists have grappled with how to respond creatively to global crises and political upheaval. The implicit expectation that musicians should translate these weighty subjects into their work can feel particularly pressing during periods of significant turmoil.
Creating music about external events differs fundamentally from writing personal material, a tension some artists find particularly challenging. The stakes feel higher when addressing matters beyond one's own life, and artists often hold themselves to stricter standards, concerned about whether they can do justice to the gravity of the subject.