Hilary Duff has boldly embraced a provocative new era with the release of her latest single, a track that is decidedly Not Safe For Work. The mother-of-four, 38, unveiled 'Roommates' alongside a steamy music video on January 15, marking a sultry departure as she laments a romantic relationship that has lost its spark.
A Song of Frustration and Yearning
The accompanying visual sees Duff clad in a figure-hugging yellow dress, portraying various states of frustration. The setting is symbolic, with rain dripping from the ceiling while her partner remains impassive and unresponsive. The lyrics pull no punches, detailing a craving for physical connection that has faded into a mundane domestic routine.
'I can barely mention it without causing some ego trauma / But I know you're sensing how I'm tryna give you hints,' she sings. The chorus is explicitly candid, recalling a sexual encounter in the 'back of the dive bar' and the thrill of secrecy: 'Then sneak home late, wake up your roommates.'
Later verses heighten the sense of neglect, with Duff confessing, 'I'm touching myself by the front door / But you don't even look my way no more.' The song is a raw exploration of the transition from passionate lovers to 'practically roommates'.
The Inspiration Behind the Music
Duff co-wrote the track with her husband, songwriter Matthew Koma, 38. The couple, married for five years, share three daughters: Banks, 7, Mae, 4, and one-year-old Townes. Duff also has a son, Luca, 12, with her ex-husband, former NHL player Mike Comrie.
Explaining the song's theme on Instagram, Duff described it as being about 'when life is life-ing, babe'. She elaborated, calling it 'that ache for a wilder, freer time - before the days were swallowed by carpools, budget talks, grocery runs... It’s the restless hum of wanting to find your way back - to your rhythm, to your person, to yourself.'
Album Release and Tour Dates
'Roommates' is the lead single from Duff's forthcoming album, 'luck… or something', which is set for release on February 20. This marks her first studio album in a decade, following 2015's 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.'
To support the album, Duff will embark on her 'Small Rooms, Big Nerves Tour', with scheduled shows in London, Toronto, New York City, and Los Angeles. Additionally, she has residency performances booked at Voltaire at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas in February and May.
Amidst the 'Toxic Mom Group' Controversy
The single's release arrives in the wake of a highly publicised falling-out among a celebrity mother's group, reportedly created by Duff. The drama was ignited by an essay from Ashley Tisdale in *The Cut*, where the 'High School Musical' alum claimed she felt 'frozen out' by the group during her postpartum period.
While not naming individuals, Tisdale described being excluded from gatherings, stating, 'All of a sudden I was in high school again... I texted to the group after being left out from yet another group hang: "This is too high school for me."' She unfollowed both Duff and Mandy Moore on Instagram around the time the article was published.
Duff's husband, Matthew Koma, indirectly entered the fray in her defence. He shared a manipulated image on Instagram mocking a 'self obsessed and tone deaf' person, a move widely interpreted as a response to Tisdale's claims.
As Hilary Duff reignites her music career with this audacious and personal new work, she navigates both the spotlight on her art and the scrutiny on her personal life, proving she remains a compelling figure in the entertainment world.
