This is exactly the type of music you expect from a woman with daddy issues, but man, is there an audience there. Jessie Murph’s “Sex Hysteria” Proves Her Haters Right. Jessie Murph, the 20-year-old Alabama-born singer-songwriter, has made waves with her genre-blending music, combining elements of country, pop, trap, and hip-hop. Her sophomore album, Sex Hysteria, released on July 18, 2025, via Columbia Records, was anticipated as a bold step forward following her 2024 debut, That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil. However, despite a few standout tracks, the album’s inconsistencies, controversial music video for “1965,” and polarizing musical style have given her critics ample reason to claim vindication. This opinion piece explores why Sex Hysteria falls short, validating detractors who argue that Murph’s approach lacks focus and coherence.
The High Points: Where Murph Shines
Sex Hysteria is not without its merits. Tracks like “Gucci Mane” and “The Man That Came Back” have garnered praise for their emotional resonance and raw storytelling. “Gucci Mane,” the album’s opener, sets a strong tone with its candid lyrics about Murph’s personal struggles, including her difficult relationship with her father. Fans on platforms like X have highlighted its authenticity, with one user noting it as a top track for its “raw storytelling and emotional grit” X Post. Similarly, “The Man That Came Back” has been lauded for its heartfelt delivery, with Murph describing it as the most emotional track on the album Euphoria Zine. “Heroin,” a piano-led ballad about toxic love, also stands out for its haunting arrangements and vulnerability, earning positive mentions from reviewers Melodic Magazine. These songs showcase Murph’s vocal prowess and ability to connect with listeners through personal narratives, suggesting potential that keeps fans hopeful.
The Low Points: Inconsistency Drags the Album Down
Despite these highlights, Sex Hysteria struggles to maintain quality across its 15 tracks. Critics and fans alike have pointed out that the album feels uneven, with several tracks failing to match the strength of its best moments. “Blue Strips,” a chart-topping single that peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, has been a polarizing track, with some describing it as “obnoxious” and a “cheap sounding country trap Frankenstein hybrid.” Musicboard. This sentiment is echoed by X user @SadShark50, who rated the album 3/10 and listed “Blue Strips” among the worst tracks X Post. Similarly, “1965” has drawn criticism for its lyrical content and execution, with some feeling it lacks the satirical edge Murph intended The Express Tribune.
The album’s latter half has been particularly criticized for losing momentum. One reviewer noted that it “went off the rails at the end,” suggesting that tracks like “A Little Too Drunk” and “Donuts” feel like filler, lacking the depth or polish of earlier songs Musicboard. Another X user commented that the album is “overstuffed with similar tracks,” indicating a lack of variety that makes the listening experience feel repetitive X Post. This inconsistency undermines the album’s potential, leaving listeners with a sense that Murph’s ambition outstripped her execution.
The “1965” Music Video Controversy
The music video for “1965” has become a lightning rod for criticism, significantly tarnishing the album’s reception. Released alongside Sex Hysteria on July 18, 2025, the video features graphic sexual content that many fans and critics found shocking and inappropriate, especially given its availability on YouTube without age restrictions. Outlets like Whiskey Riff described it as going “beyond your standard NSFW warning label,” with scenes that shift from a campy, retro aesthetic to explicit content that left viewers “kind of disturbed.” Whiskey Riff. The inclusion of a child in scenes preceding the explicit content has been particularly contentious, with critics arguing it was in poor taste and alienated supporters of Alara Entertainment.
Additionally, the song’s lyrics, which some interpret as glorifying the 1960s—a period marked by racism, sexism, and conservative gender roles—have sparked accusations of insensitivity. Murph defended the song as satire, stating in a TikTok video, “The entire song is satire. Are y’all stupid?” The Express Tribune. However, this defense has not fully resonated, with many fans feeling the execution
