DIRTBIKE (song)

"DIRTBIKE" is a song performed by Zheani. It serves as the sixth track from Zheani's self-titled EP, Zheani Sparks. It's the second official single from the EP released on April 16, 2020.

Background
On November 13, 2019, Zheani shared a couple of images in an Instagram post on the recording set yet without revealing that she was filming a music video.

On April 14, 2020, she shared more images from a different set for the music video and said that if the post reached 8,000 comments she would release a new single with a music video (the title track has not been revealed yet).

On April 16, 2020, Zheani unveiled the cover and title of the track, also commenting a bit on the song's background. On April 17, 2020, Zheani discussed the production of the song and music video in a post on Instagram.

Music and composition
Zheani about the track: "'It’s so easy for people to pass judgements when coming from a place of ignorance. But if context is provided, understanding and empathy can hopefully follow.""I get a lot of criticism for certain decisions I made as a young adult. I realised that people didn’t know about my childhood and the kinds experiences and people I was exposed to. They couldn’t know how these things left me primed to be accepting of certain behaviours. For this reason I decided to give context with a flash of memories in a song like ‘DIRTBIKE’ and further background with my upcoming EP.""I hope that individuals with comparable pasts can look at me and hopefully be less hard on themselves for their own mistakes, misjudgements and regrets. “This ain’t a story cunt this is my real life.'"

Critical reception
The Partae opined:"'Brisbane rapper, songwriter, and artist Zheani reflects on her past in new single ‘DIRTBIKE’ out today via Entertainment One (eOne). The track demonstrates her signature no-holds-barred approach of raw, emotive lyrics. Harsh themes ride an abrasive beat combining elements of Nu-Metal with contemporary TrapMetal by producer King Yosef. Zheani reflects on her memories of “Donkey Dick Dave Jollow” one of her mother’s boyfriends growing up and painfully describes her father getting involved in drug trafficking before eventually falling into addiction, “he rode that dark horse into nothin’, funny thing is I still love him”.""‘DIRTBIKE’ depicts a larger story for Zheani with the line from the chorus, “I made bad choices, my bed I’ll lay in it, I’ll toss and turn for every regret.” Moments like this highlight the strife Zheani has endured, but also the willingness to cope with her decisions and ultimately move forward.'"Revolver Magazine opined:"'Her latest single 'DIRTBIKE' is a raw, hard-hitting autobiographical cut that sees Zheani looking back on 'Donkey Dick Dave Jollow,' one of her mother's boyfriends growing up, and reflecting with anguish on her father's drug addiction: 'He rode that dark horse into nothin', funny thing is I still love him.' Perfectly complementing the song's unflinching subject matter is the abrasive, industrialized production courtesy of Revolver favorite King Yosef.'"