The Real & Digital Worlds Belong To TYSM With “Kiss Me Like A Threat”, News In Progress

Ladies, gentlemen, and other beloved readers, your latest anthem for falling in love on the dance floor is officially here thanks to TYSM! Her shimmering, flirty new single, “Kiss Me Like A Threat,” is a debut of sorts as she reimagines her artistic persona and steps into a whole new universe free from creative or promotional boundaries. 

“It’s been kind of insane, in the best way,” TYSM tells TREMG about the release. “I wasn’t sure how people would react to this new version of TYSM, especially with the avatar front and the shift into a more visual world. But within three days, it landed on 130 playlists, which blew my mind. I made this song to be fun, bold, a little unhinged… and it’s really cool to see people vibe with it.”

The latest chapter in TYSM’s discography sees creative mastermind Chelsea Davenport being as authentic as ever while introducing an avatar character who will be the main storyteller for her future work. While the ethical and environmental impacts of generative AI are (fairly) called into question, TYSM is one of few artists who have created something truly dimensional and raw with the technology, complementing her human-made music and bringing her vibrant vision to life. She’s used AI as a tool and a vessel to share her alluring narrative, creating what she called “​​uncanny little dreamscapes that [don’t] need to obey the rules of real life” in a Substack essay.

“This phase feels more honest than anything I’ve ever done,” she admits. “I know that sounds backwards since TYSM is now a digital avatar, but removing my face actually let me go deeper. It gave me the freedom to be playful, surreal, unfiltered. I’m realizing that identity is fluid – and for me, TYSM is a mirror. And in that reflection, I’ve tapped into a world of creativity I simply can’t get enough of. There are unlimited creative possibilities for the project that lights me up.”

We know TYSM will continue to light up the music world and carve out her own unique space in the industry! You can find “Kiss Me Like A Threat” on your favorite streaming services now, and step into the world of TYSM on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and her website. Keep reading for more from our Q&A with this interdimensional pop riser.

Hi TYSM, congratulations on the release of “Kiss Me Like A Threat!” What has it been like for you to release the song and see how fans are reacting?

Thank you so much – and yes, pun fully intended! 😉 It’s been kind of insane, in the best way. I wasn’t sure how people would react to this new version of TYSM, especially with the avatar front and the shift into a more visual world. But within three days, it landed on 130 playlists – which blew my mind. I made this song to be fun, bold, a little unhinged… and it’s really cool to see people vibe with it.

What does “Kiss Me Like A Threat” mean to you?

To me, it’s about the seductive chaos that lives inside real chemistry. The messy, magnetic moments where desire takes over – and you stop pretending to play it safe. It’s got some playful sexual tension and it owns that. As a songwriter, I love taking things that feel emotionally reckless – jealousy, obsession, power dynamics – and reframing them in a way that feels fun, elevated, and self-aware.

There are so many cool lyrics on “Kiss Me Like A Threat,” with one of our favorites being “love me, no ceilings.” Is there a certain line you’re especially proud of?

I love that you picked “love me, no ceilings,” it’s my favorite line too (honestly)  – that line kind of sums up the entire project. Also there’s something raw and beautiful about wanting to be loved beyond logic, beyond limitations. I’m proud of the whole song, I had SOOOO much fun writing it. 

“Kiss Me Like A Threat” merges hyperpop and traditional pop in such a smooth, fun way. How do you go about finding a balance between the experimental and the comfortable?

I think as a creator, it’s really important to be as fearless as possible – to take risks and not overthink whether something fits into a box. That’s the energy Felix [Snow, producer] and I thrive on. We’re not trying to be safe; we’re trying to push things as far as we can while still making it enjoyable to listen to. I’ve always loved pop structure –  songs that feel undeniable, but I also want the sound to feel fresh, weird, a little left of center. Finding that balance between experimental and accessible. When it works, it feels like you’re hearing something new that still hits like something you’ve loved forever.

Things really took off for you when “Normal No More” blew up in 2020! You said in your “She Didn’t Start As An Avatar” essay that the song’s success happened “just when [you] thought [you were] out” of the music industry – how has that time of your career shaped you?

That chapter was humbling and sacred in its own way. I needed distance – not just from the industry, but from the version of myself that was operating inside it. At the time, I thought I was angry at the business, but really, I was being shown all the places within myself that needed healing. And yes, the industry has its flaws – but so did my own mindset. I had to step away to become whole again. To grow. To learn how to move from peace instead of pressure. That time shaped me into someone who could create without fear, who could stand in a room without needing to be chosen. I truly believe God was building character in me – resilience, clarity, and the kind of strength that doesn’t shout. When “Normal No More” took off, it felt like a quiet miracle. A reminder that you can let go… and still be seen.

Speaking of your “She Didn’t Start As An Avatar” essay, you beautifully described some of the biggest struggles artists faced in a digital-driven world, from feeling the pressure to curate themselves to posting more than they’re necessarily comfortable with. How have you dealt with this pressure yourself, and how do you think artists should approach social media to maintain a healthy relationship with it?

It’s tough – I don’t think we talk enough about how disorienting it is to feel like you have to be the product, the marketing team, and the billboard all at once. I hit a point where I had to step back and ask, What actually matters? What happened with “Normal No More” was a huge wake-up call, it reminded me that literally anything can happen, and you don’t need all the things you’ve been told you do.

There’s so much noise out there. And I think the real danger is letting that noise drown out your own voice. These days, I treat social media more like an art gallery than a diary. Artists need to protect their magic. Sometimes that means being offline, creating in peace, and trusting that the real ones will find you when it’s time.

You’ve described this next “avatar-fronted” phase of your career as “same voice, new dimension.” How has your view of your art and yourself changed as you’ve stepped into this new chapter?

This phase feels more honest than anything I’ve ever done. I know that sounds backwards since TYSM is now a digital avatar, but removing my face actually let me go deeper. It gave me the freedom to be playful, surreal, unfiltered. I’m realizing that identity is fluid – and for me, TYSM is a mirror. And in that reflection, I’ve tapped into a world of creativity I simply can’t get enough of. There are unlimited creative possibilities for the project that lights me up.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with your music already, which of your songs would you recommend to them to get a feel for who you are as an artist?

Start with “Kiss Me Like A Threat” – it’s the perfect introduction to the new world. Then go back to “Normal No More” to hear where the journey really took off. If you want to go deeper, check out “Honeymoon Phase” and “Wraith.” Each one lives in a different emotional frequency, but they’re all part of the same universe.

What can your fans look forward to in the rest of 2025?

So much is coming. The “Normal No More” remix drops next, followed by a series of singles leading into an EP – and possibly a full album. Every release is part of a larger story I’m telling on my terms, in my time. I just launched a Patreon to share deeper layers of the TYSM world: behind-the-scenes fragments, unreleased demos, visual diaries, alternate versions, and lore you won’t find anywhere else. I also dropped the first official merch capsule – the beginning of something physical to go with the digital universe we’re building. This isn’t just a rollout – it’s a world. And we’re only just beginning to unlock it.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention or say to your fans that the questions didn’t touch on?

Just thank you. Truly. For being here, for listening, for letting this music into your world. It means more than you know. I’m really just getting started – and I’m so glad you’re part of it. 

By Madison Murray
Featured Image: Courtesy of TYSM