SA’s Mikhaela Faye Isn’t Holding Back On Explosive New Track ‘Gaslighter’

Cape Town’s genre-defying alt-pop artist Mikhaela Faye returns with her new single, Gaslighter, a bold, punk-inspired breakup track for anyone who’s ever been manipulated into believing they were the problem. It’s cathartic, catchy, and just the right amount of petty.

“I dated a narcissist for almost two years of my life that I’ll never get back,” she says. “I’d tried writing about it before, but the songs always came out too angry. This one isn’t about them — it’s about the moment you realise you’re not the problem.”

Inspired by the pop punk icons of her youth — think Avril Lavigne, Blink-182, Sum 41 — Mikhaela blends early-2000s angst with hyperpop energy to deliver a defiant anthem about reclaiming your power.

Produced in collaboration with Josh Berry (honeymoan), the track was born through a playful game of “producer’s pass-the-parcel,” with Mikhaela stepping out of her usual perfectionist tendencies to make bolder creative decisions.

“I’d record a rough demo, Josh would add to it, then we’d workshop it together. I even started making bold choices by pretending I was Josh — which he still thinks are mild!”

Gaslighter is the lead single from Mikhaela’s upcoming EP I’m Bored, which she describes as “hyperactive escapism.”

“Instead of letting the internet overwhelm me, I decided to create the chaos myself,” she says.

While Gaslighter is the most “traditional” song on the project, the rest of the EP is fast, frenetic, and unfiltered — one track is even too fast for her to perform live.

Since her debut EP Not Now Later dropped during lockdown, Mikhaela’s creative world has expanded.

“Back then, I was juggling teaching and session gigs. Now I produce full-time — from functional music and commercials to melodic house and techno toplines. Mikhaela Faye is my passion-fuelled outlet, not a hustle.”

With collaborations under her belt including PHFat, Shimza, Majozi and Moonga K, she’s built a reputation for genre fluidity and fearless experimentation.

“I love working with artists who stretch me creatively. I don’t stick to one sound — I follow the feeling.”

That feeling — of catharsis, control, and a bit of cheek — is exactly what Gaslighter delivers.

Gaslighter is available now on all major streaming platforms here. Pre-save I’m Bored now here.

Follow Mikhaela Faye on Instagram.