Fin Argus Yearns to Be Like the Girls in the Magazines in ‘Playboy 1973’
Singer-songwriter, actor and model Fin Argus has been in the entertainment industry for most of their life, but their new single, "Playboy 1973," might be their most personal and vulnerable project to date.
The new song, out today with a dreamlike music video, showcases Fin's songwriting as a means of self-discovery and catharsis as they explore their trans identity and the complexity of yearning to step into their truest self.
"Playboy 1973" comes to life through warm and whimsical instrumentation, combining acoustic and electric guitars and lush strings to back Fin's gentle, pining vocals. It seems to collage fantastic fairy tale elements with Fin's real-life experiences with identity and gender to capture the emotion in a way that's distinctly Fin.
In the song, Fin secretly collects magazines, like the boys their age, hiding them under their bed. But instead of desiring the women in them, they desire to be those women.
(Photo credit: Matt McCarty & Mike Iemma)
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They then imagining snipping themselves up into pieces, like cutouts from the magazine, leaving behind the unwanted pieces and rearranging themself into the shape of the girl they wish they could be. On the surface, it may sound violent, but the soft and inviting production instead gives Fin the space the reflect on the message with a delicate touch and a unique sense of understanding.
(Photo credit: Matt McCarty & Mike Iemma)
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"I wrote a song about my transness," Fin shared in a video post on Instagram. "It's called 'Playboy 1973.' It's a very wistful and, to me, happy song, but it's also brutal, and I'm so scared to put it out. On a basic level, it's just scary to be vulnerable and put something out that you've worked a lot on. Also I'm feeling so scared that it's not going to reach the people that I want it to and that it will instead reach people that are going to turn it to something scary and villainous. It's taken a lot for me to get back into sharing my story or my writing with people, so this song really does mean a lot to me and I just want to say to any trans people out there who are feeling scared, me too. You're not alone. I love you so much, and we have each other no matter what. I'm gonna be here for you no matter what. And I hope this song can help other people feel connected. That's all I really want. I love you so much."
(Photo credit: Matt McCarty & Mike Iemma)
For more insights from our favorite artists, click HERE to read our interview with Jade LeMac on "Running Home."