Fiona Apple wants to write about the "constant bombardment of horrors" in today's world – Video

After a long time away from the spotlight, Fiona Apple has resurfaced with an unusual video message, posted by her roommate and best friend Zelda Hallman. The American singer-songwriter said she's been busy writing new songs inspired by the dramatic events unfolding around the world, admitting how hard it is to find the right words to address such delicate subjects.
“It's the middle of the night, I was writing and I couldn't sleep,” Apple says at the start of the clip. “Suddenly I felt the need to talk to you. You haven't seen me in a while, because these days I feel really uncomfortable with this kind of public exposure.”
In introducing the video, Hallman explained that the artist behind “Tidal” is searching for a sincere way to talk about “the enormity of what's happening in the world,” citing among other things the war in Gaza and Sudan, discrimination against transgender youth, attacks on women's rights, violence suffered by immigrants and their families, the erosion of civil liberties, and the disappearance of Indigenous and Black children.

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Apple admitted she often questions her role as a songwriter when facing tragedies that affect other people: “I wonder if you're asking yourselves whether I'm trying to write about what's happening in the world. The answer is yes, I'm trying. But I'm struggling a lot. When you write about yourself, no one can tell you you're getting it wrong. But when you write about what's happening to others, everything suddenly matters so much more.”
The American musician then spoke about the “relentless bombardment of horrors” that defines the current moment, and her fear of not being able to express herself the right way. “Maybe I'm letting the pursuit of perfection get in the way of something that would still be worthwhile,” she explained. “I keep asking myself if I'm really the right person to say it, and whether I'm saying it the right way. I didn't want you to think I was looking away, or that I didn't care. I care a great deal. Maybe not everyone expects something from me, but I do.”

The last original track released by Fiona Apple was “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home),” out in 2025 and inspired by her experience as a volunteer courtroom observer, particularly in cases involving women held in pretrial detention. In recent months the singer has also recorded a cover of “Heart Of Gold” by Neil Young for a tribute album meant to raise funds for the Bridge School, and has teamed up with the Waterboys on the track “Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend.” Fiona Apple's last album, “Fetch The Bolt Cutters,” dates back to 2020.

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