JESSIE MURPH’S 'SEX HYSTERIA' IS RAW, REAL, AND READY TO SET AUSTRALIA ALIGHT

Sex Hysteria is out now!

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Jessie Murph is laughing when she says it: “I would just say... Jessie Murph; sixties and trap,” her answer to the near-impossible question of how to describe Sex Hysteria, her raw, genre-bending sophomore album.

And that’s exactly what Sex Hysteria sounds like; a cinematic fusion of vintage glamour and raw 808s, all anchored by Murph’s unshakeable vocal conviction. The phrase feels like a mission statement, a fitting encapsulation of a project that’s both glam and grounded, whimsical and gut-wrenching. And as she readies herself for her long-awaited return to Australia, there’s a glint in her voice that suggests she knows she’s bringing something special to stages across the country.

At just 20, Jessie Murph has become a force impossible to ignore. She doesn’t so much write songs as bleed them - a process she admits is driven completely by emotion. “I let my emotions lead me a lot musically,” she tells me. “So art-wise... it just is whatever I’m going through.” Her new sophomore album, Sex Hysteria, is the latest and boldest proof of that. The breakout artist has taken a fearless plunge into emotional honesty, pairing ‘60s femme glam with trap beats and unfiltered storytelling that is as gut-wrenching as it is empowering.

“This album is just… whatever I’m going through,” Murph tells me with her signature candor. “I'm always just making exactly what I feel, which maybe isn't the best process,” she laughs, “but if I got heartbroken right now, there is a very likely chance that I would change the entire album just based on how I feel.” That emotional honesty drives every beat and lyric of the 15-track body of work, that dives deep into the complexities of modern womanhood: everything from sexual awakening to inherited trauma and the messy in-between. It’s an album that wears heartbreak, ecstasy, rage, and self-reflection on its sleeve. It’s vulnerable and unpredictable, much like Jessie herself. “I think my artistry evolves as I find myself as a person,” she explains. “Like, I’ll listen to my old songs and I’m like, ‘I hate that so much, why would I do that?’” she laughs. “But I’m always just making exactly what I feel.”

And what she felt when she freestyled Blue Strips (the breakout hit from Sex Hysteria that’s become a global phenomenon) was something sparkly, instinctive, and powerful. “It was a really fast song. It was like a freestyle, like 10 minutes. The least effort I’ve ever put into a song,” she says. “But there was like this... I like to word it as sometimes songs have glitter in them. And this was one of them.” At the time I sat down with Murph, that “glitter” had translated into 2.4 million daily streams and over 21,000 TikToks a day using the song. Jessie’s response? “First of all, those stats are crazy. I’ve never even heard those before. That’s wild.” She giggles, but her humility doesn’t hide the fact that Blue Strips is a moment - one that continued to pulsate with the remix featuring Murph’s dream collaborator, Sexyy Red.

“I love her so much. My entire last tour, my walkout song was Sexyy Red,” Jessie beams. “This is a dream come true. She’s just a bad bitch and she always says what I’m thinking.” Case in point: Sexy Red’s first line on the track? “I just bought a fast car so I could run over you.” Murph laughs again, clearly still delighting in the unfiltered attitude she so admires. The music video for Blue Strips (Remix) leans into the vintage-meets-modern vibe that defines Sex Hysteria. Shot in Nashville, it’s a nod to Jessie’s roots, wrapped in 1960s glam. “I just wanted to have a really good time with Sexy Red,” she says. “We just danced all night.”

That blend of old-school style and new-school storytelling runs through the veins of the whole album - from its imagery and identity (a sharp, beehive-and-eyeliner nod to vintage femme fatales) to the lyrical depth inside. Every track is a step forward from her vulnerable debut That Ain’t No Man That’s the Devil, both in sound and in substance.

Now, with Sex Hysteria finally out in the world, Jessie is bringing her glittery chaos back to Australia. After nearly two years away, Murph is returning with what promises to be her most explosive live experience yet. “I'm going to be doing choreography and stunts this time,” she teases, with a grin. “For a little sneak peek, you could watch my Coachella performance.” The connection between Murph and her fans is something she deeply cherishes, especially in more intimate moments. “Something that I really, really love doing is VIPs because I get to talk to people and hear their stories. That’s something I always look forward to,” she says. “Even in big rooms, when people are crying and I get all emotional, it feels like a really special, intimate moment. I hold that close to my heart.”

Of course, since she was last here, she has dropped two albums. So how is she tackling the monumental task of crafting a setlist that both captures her discography and connects with fans? “You know, it's actually really tough. I'm in the midst of figuring out my set list right now,” she admits. “Thankfully, normally what makes the fans happy also makes me happy. Because I feel like we have similar favourite songs, which is a blessing from the Lord Above.” She pauses, then adds, “I'm playing my whole new album because that'll be out by the time I'm touring and that's gonna be fun. I hope people like those songs because I'm playing them. I'm gonna play some of my favourites from the last one and I think I gravitate towards the more meaningful song. Which are all meaningful on the last album. It was a very personal album. But yeah, the more emotional ones I'll probably be playing.”

And while she’s planning to bring the heat on stage, Murph is also considering dipping a toe into more traditional Aussie experiences - like surfing. “I've never been surfing before and I feel like people do that a lot in Australia, unless I’m wrong.” When I admit I’ve never tried it either, we both share a laugh. “Okay, well you haven't done it, maybe I don't have to then. I mean, maybe not. I'm actually scared of sharks.” I mention how only around 20% of the ocean has been discovered, and instantly, she’s out. “Maybe not. Actually I’m changing my mind,” she laughs. “I wanna go back to Bondi. I like that. I’ll get a tan.”

Whether she’s redefining heartbreak, crying on stage with fans, or just soaking up the sun in Bondi, Jessie Murph is doing it her way; raw, glittering, and unfiltered. Sex Hysteria is the sound of a young woman refusing to be boxed in, and her upcoming tour is set to prove why she’s one of the most compelling emerging voices in music right now.

Sex Hysteria is out now!

JESSIE MURPH WORLDWIDE HYSTERIA – THE TOUR

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2025

Tickets

Nov 12 | Perth, Australia | Metropolis Fremantle

Nov 14 | Sydney, Australia | Enmore Theatre

Nov 15 | Sydney, Australia | Enmore Theatre

Nov 18 | Brisbane, Australia | Fortitude Music Hall

Nov 19 | Melbourne, Australia | The Forum

Nov 20 | Melbourne, Australia | The Forum

Nov 22 | Auckland, New Zealand | Town Hall