Virginia To Vegas ft MacKenzie Porter - this sucks
A winning electro-pop duet features contrasting vocal styles and strong production.
By Kerry Doole
Virginia To Vegas ft MacKenzie Porter - this sucks (Wax Records): Released last week, this new single is already making waves on Canadian radio. This is no surprise, given that Porter was Canada's #1 most played female voice in country music last year, while Virginia To Vegas (Derik Baker) was reportedly the second most played Canadian artist at radio (behind The Weeknd) in 2020, with over 335 million streams. Both artists are multiple Juno nominees.
A label press releases explains that “this sucks was written by Baker as a duet and when he came across Porter while listening to the radio in his car, the idea for this collaboration came together. “I remember driving from my house to the grocery store and hearing MacKenzie's song on the radio,” says Baker. “At that moment I just knew it would be perfect to have her join me as a featured artist on the track.”
Baker adds that “this sucks is a song about what seeing an ex with someone else does to you. You're happy for them because you once loved them, but the only words you can find to explain how you're feeling are 'Wow, this really sucks right now.'”
Written in Baker’s signature electro-pop style, the song features his plaintive vocals effectively paired with Porter’s clear delivery, while the production work of Mike Wise (Ellie Goulding, Britney Spears) is on point. A cut that certainly doesn't live up to its title.
This sucks is VTV's fifth single in just over a year. His previous Top 10 hits have included Just Friends, betterman, Selfish, Lights Out, and We Are Stars (ft Alyssa Reid).
Links
Publicity: Tiffany Astle, Penelope PR
Management: Ron Morse, Wax Records
Agent: Stefanie Purificati
