Single Review: Mimi Webb - House on Fire

The chorus is arguably the best part of the song

Brighton-based Mimi Webb shot to fame in 2020 on TikTok. Her most popular single, ‘Good Without’ has 130 million streams on Spotify. Following the release of her debut EP last year, Mimi has returned with an upbeat pop song ‘House on Fire.’ Writing this article a mere 12 hours after the single was released, the song already has 14,000 plays on Spotify and hundreds of videos on TikTok using the song. The song tells of a plot to set an ex’s house on fire as revenge for lying to her. Despite the threatening undertone of the song, the lyrics are catchy, with a plot to follow as she plans how she will get away with the crime. The accompanying music video depicts her ex lying to her about his whereabouts the night before, before his house goes up in flames and as he recovers in hospital, he is constantly reminded of Webb’s presence. The chorus is arguably the best part of the song, with a synth backing and a drum beat that accelerates the anger in her voice, but also adds to the poppy elements of the song. A particular favourite moment of the song is during the chorus as she shouts ‘you liar!,’ adding to the anger but also ensuring that listeners want to sing along. The lyrics in the verses are reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s ‘Better Than Revenge’ and revenge as a theme within pop songs is typically well received and popular, particularly with those going through a break-up. The idea of the five stages of grief following a break-up includes anger or revenge, and is something that many can recognise in their own feelings at the end of a relationship. The lyrics are not overly complicated, but make plain her plans for vengeance in an easy-to-follow and catchy manner.

I would love to have heard another verse and bridge

The single follows on from her debut EP Seven Shades of Heartbreak which debuted at number nine in the UK charts, and the vibe of the song is very similar to those on the album – the single would not go amiss on an extended edition of the EP. Her EP was based on two previous relationships she had, and this song continues the theme of writing about heartbreak in all its forms. At only 21 years old, Webb has already established herself as a popular UK artist, and is currently on a nationwide tour, before joining Tate McRae (another TikTok star) for an American tour later this year. At only two minutes and 20 seconds in length, ‘House on Fire’ is quite a short song, perhaps designed with radio in mind, but I would love to have heard another verse and bridge during the song. Despite this – and the angry undertone of the lyrics – the song has a feel-good summer energy that has meant I cannot stop singing along every time I press play.