As winter’s chill lingers into the new year, Alice Merton‘s voice cuts through like a defiant spark, illuminating the tangled wreckage of a fractured romance. “Cruel Intentions,” the electrifying single from her upcoming album Visions, captures that raw pivot from hurt to unapologetic power—where whispered accusations ignite into a full-throated roar. It’s the kind of track that hits like a late-night revelation, pulling you into its storm of shadowed doubts and reclaimed fire, especially for those replaying every barbed word in their own story.
| Lead Vocals | Alice Merton |
| Songwriter | Alice Merton, Rich Cooper & Jonny Lattimer |
| Music Producer | Alice Merton & Rich Cooper |
| Label | Paper Plane Records |
| Release Date | November 14, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Paper Plane Records |
| Phonographic Copyright ℗ | Paper Plane Records |
Lyrics of Cruel Intentions by Alice Merton
[Verse 1]
I Got Your Letter Yesterday
It Seemed You Had A Lot To Say
Throwing Shadows, Throwing Shade
Turning Words And Twisting Weeds
And All Of That Rushed To My Face
My Heart Was Screaming Like A Mad Man
Your Words Are Nails Into My Grave
That’s How You Wake The Beast In Me
You Say I Got Cruel Intentions
Come And Get ’em
Holy Art Thou Our Own Opinion
So Push Me Up Against The Wall
I’ll Be The Bad Guy You’ve Been Waiting For
Cruel Intentions, Come And Get ’em [Verse 2]
I Saw The Storm Shape In The Clouds
Cabin Fever Pulled You Out
You Said You Didn’t Wanna Fight
But Got Your Fists Ready For Blood
The Stage Was Set, The Curtain Hung
My Words Were Frozen On My Tongue
You Took Your Aim And Made Your Shot
And Now The Monster’s What You Got [Chorus]
You Say I Got Cruel Intentions
Come And Get ’em
Holy Art Thou Our Own Opinion
So Push Me Up Against The Wall
I’ll Be The Bad Guy You’ve Been Waiting For
Cruel Intentions, Come And Get ’em [Bridge]
Don’t Forget Who Craved You
Don’t Forget How It Changed You
Don’t Forget It Made Us Numb
Don’t Forget Who Claimed You
Don’t Forget How It Stained You
Don’t Forget Who Saved You, Oh
[Chorus]
You Say I Got Cruel Intentions
Come And Get ’em
Holy Art Thou Our Own Opinion
So Push Me Up Against The Wall
I’ll Be The Bad Guy You’ve Been Waiting For
Cruel Intentions, Come And Get ’em
About “Cruel Intentions by Alice Merton”
Alice Merton flips the script on heartbreak with “Cruel Intentions,” a pop-rock grenade that dares you to embrace the villain role—fierce, unyielding, and utterly addictive.
Diving into its essence, the song wrestles with themes of false blame and inner beasts unleashed, painting a vivid portrait of relational sabotage through stormy imagery and biting retorts. The mood swings from brooding tension to explosive catharsis, all wrapped in Merton’s signature indie pop sheen—think pulsing synths and driving rhythms that echo the chaos of cabin fever turning to confrontation. Co-produced with Rich Cooper, it’s got that polished edge without losing the grit, making every “come and get ’em” feel like a gauntlet thrown.
Visions, her third studio effort, unfolds as a bold manifesto on self-determination and loyalty, a sonic shield against the world’s pull toward conformity. Across 13 tracks, Merton charts resilience like a map of personal triumphs—from the hazy wanderlust of “Willow Trees in Tokyo” to the glittering resolve of “Marigold”—all while weaving in her knack for hooks that stick like emotional tattoos. It’s her most introspective collection yet, born from years of touring introspection and a pandemic-fueled reset.
The single dropped back in November 2025, teasing the full album’s arrival on January 16, 2026, via Paper Plane Records. With pre-saves lighting up Spotify and early buzz from her Instagram reels, it’s clear fans are primed for this era—complete with vinyl variants and intimate release shows that promise to turn listening into a communal reckoning.
Merton’s evolution feels like watching a firework builder at work: from the globe-trotting breakout of “No Roots” in 2018, through the eclectic vibes of M.I.N.T. and S.I.D.E.S., she’s honed a sound that’s equal parts vulnerable and volcanic. At 33, amid a career that’s spanned continents and collaborations, “Cruel Intentions” marks her stepping bolder into rock-tinged territory, proving she’s not just surviving the industry—she’s rewriting its rules on her terms. In a discography that’s always prioritized heart-over-hype, this cut stands as a cornerstone, blending her pop accessibility with deeper lyrical knives that demand repeat spins.
What elevates it further is how the bridge’s haunting litany—”Don’t forget who craved you”—flips victimhood on its head, turning memory into ammunition. As Visions gears up to drop just days from now, it’s positioning Merton as the voice for anyone who’s ever been misjudged in love’s courtroom.
