LACES - WORK
"Across sticky hooks, glitchy synths, and razor-smart lyrics, WORK rips into America’s “always-on” mythology while offering a soundtrack for anyone who’s one Slack ping away from meltdown"
By Juan
7/1/20252 min read
On Rotation: LACES "WORK" (EP)
Clock in, burn out, repeat. That’s the reality for millions today and LACES is officially over it. With her upcoming EP WORK, the alt-pop artist and founder of Head Bitch Music turns the chaos of hustle culture into a bold, honest, and powerful collection of songs that cut deep and hit hard. Behind the mic is Jessica Vaughn, the artist once known as Charlotte Sometimes on The Voice, now reintroducing herself as a force of rebellion and truth.
WORK is a seven-track ride through everything we’re told to normalize, burnout, overwork, emotional labor and everything we need to question. From the opener “Hard Work”, which reveals the everyday grind of love that no one talks about, to “Open for Business”, where Vaughn drops the tough exterior and embraces growth, this EP doesn't hold back. “Salt” hits out at the corporate elites with venom and precision, while “I Quit for Summer” explodes in a joyful, sun-soaked protest that turns quitting into liberation.
Then there’s “15 Minutes”, a sarcastic take on the fleeting promise of fame catchy, sharp, and brutally honest. “Extraordinary” slows things down with a soulful message about reclaiming self-worth after a lifetime of seeking approval. And finally, “Women’s Work” roars with punk-rock attitude, smashing stereotypes and celebrating women who hustle hard and build their own futures.
But WORK is more than just a collection of songs, it’s the soundtrack to Vaughn’s own story. Raised in foster care, adopted, and thrown into the spotlight as a teenager, she faced more than most: major-label pressure, a rare jaw condition that nearly took her voice, sexual assault, chronic illness, and an industry that often treats women as products, not people. Instead of giving in, she fought back. She built her own label. She gave other underrepresented artists a platform. And now, with WORK, she’s reclaiming every chapter of her life, with hooks, style, and grit.
Jessica Vaughn is no stranger to the spotlight, with music featured in Grey’s Anatomy, Lucifer, NBC’s Found, and Good Trouble, and recognition from outlets like Billboard and PAPER. Named one of Billboard’s Top Queer Music Executives, she leads with purpose. And with WORK, she’s made her boldest statement yet.
This is LACES. This is power. And this is what happens when you turn survival into art.
