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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Gina Zo’s “Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way” is a powerful pop-folk breakup anthem that blends raw emotion with infectious melodies, capturing the bittersweet freedom of healing through late-night drives and scream-singing with friends.
Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way
Gina Zo, the powerhouse vocalist and fearless singer-songwriter, is back with her latest single, “Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way,” a reflective pop-folk breakup anthem that captures the raw, bittersweet essence of reclaiming oneself after heartbreak. Released alongside a gripping music video, this track marks a pivotal moment in Gina’s evolving artistry, blending her signature lyrical depth with a sound that’s both intimate and expansive. Produced by Justin Miller (Zach Bryan, Jazmine Sullivan) and Time Sonnefeld (Usher), the song weaves warm acoustic guitar with shimmering synth textures, creating a sonic landscape that’s perfect for late-night drives, tearful porch dances, and scream-singing with your best friends.

A Voice for the Broken and the Bold
Hailing from the suburbs of Philadelphia and now thriving in Los Angeles, Gina Zo is more than a rock-pop artist—she’s a beacon of authenticity and empowerment. Her journey, marked by rebellion against conformity and a fierce embrace of her bisexuality, has shaped her into a powerful voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her 2023 anthem “Faking It” was a bold declaration of identity, and her time on The Voice as part of Team Blake, under Gwen Stefani’s mentorship, helped her uncover a deeper sense of self. Stefani’s challenge to be more genuine left Gina in tears after their first meeting, sparking a transformation that continues to fuel her music.
Gina’s influences—Norah Jones’ soulful warmth and Stevie Nicks’ mystical allure—shine through in her work, rooted in childhood memories of dancing with flashlights as strobe lights and singing into makeshift microphones with her grandparents. These early moments laid the foundation for a career defined by passion and resilience. At 18, Gina signed with an indie label in Philadelphia, but the music industry’s harsh realities led her to step away. A devastating breakup became the catalyst for her return, reigniting her creative fire and leading to the formation of Velvet Rouge, a rock band that embodies defiance and artistic freedom.

Velvet Rouge: A Revolution in Sound and Spirit
Velvet Rouge’s 2024 debut EP, produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (The War on Drugs, Dr. Dog, Sharon Van Etten), is a raw, unapologetic exploration of self-discovery. Tracks like “Lonely Since The Day We Met” and “I Don’t Know Why” delve into the haunting truths of love and identity, channeling the gritty essence of early 2000s rock and ‘90s edge. The EP’s critical acclaim, paired with Velvet Rouge’s electrifying performances at festivals like XPoNential Fest, MusikFest, and Beardfest, has solidified their status as trailblazers. Honored as Philly’s Best Rock Band in 2022 and dubbed “Philly’s Hottest Rock Band” by Philly Style Magazine, Gina and her band are redefining the rock genre with their fearless energy.

Gina’s first single of 2024, “Dirty Habits,” a rock-pop ballad about the allure of dreams over reality, earned widespread praise, with LADYGUNN calling it “a bold debut” and Melodic Magazine hailing it as “a wildly imaginative anthem.” Now, “Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way” takes her artistry to new heights, offering a deeply personal reflection on the rollercoaster of post-breakup freedom. The song captures the paradox of knowing you’re better off while still feeling the sting of loss, delivered with Gina’s raw, honest vocals and a chorus that lingers long after the music fades.

A Song for Healing and Defiance
“Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way” is a summer breakup anthem that resonates with strength and vulnerability. Gina leans fully into her singer-songwriter roots, crafting lyrics that cut to the core of heartbreak and self-reclamation. The production, with its blend of acoustic warmth and synth-driven expansiveness, mirrors the emotional push-and-pull of moving on. It’s a song for those moments of clarity when you laugh louder, love yourself harder, and sing through the pain. The accompanying music video amplifies this narrative, offering a visual journey through Gina’s process of piecing herself back together.
Beyond her music, Gina Zo is a force for change. She’s leading a charge against systemic barriers for women in the music industry, advocating for young artists across all mediums. Her 2023 Grammy dress, designed by Lauren Schuler, was a statement of elegance and rebellion, reflecting her unapologetic spirit. Living in LA, Gina finds balance in cooking from scratch, strolling around Silver Lake Reservoir, and diving into murder novels (with a playful promise that she’s not plotting against an ex). For her, music is a platform to inspire young women to embrace their true selves and reject any mold that seeks to confine them.
A Revolution in Pop-Rock
With “Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way,” Gina Zo delivers her most personal work yet, reminding us that healing isn’t linear—but it can be loud. This anthem is a testament to her unbreakable spirit and her commitment to rewriting the rules of pop-rock. As she continues to champion authenticity and empowerment, Gina Zo is not just making music—she’s sparking a revolution, one heartfelt chorus at a time.
Find more from Gina Zo now:
https://www.ginazomusic.com/tour
https://www.instagram.com/_ginazo_
https://www.tiktok.com/@_ginazo_
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