Brattysis - Rissa May - Donuts And Cupids Arrow... · Free Forever
The title says it all—literally. "Donuts And Cupids Arrow" is not subtle about its dual approach. On one hand, you have the sugary, carb-loaded bait (donuts). On the other, you have the mythical, unpredictable nature of desire (Cupid’s arrow).
The scene opens with a classic BrattySis setup: The house is quiet, the morning light is hazy, and the unsuspecting "step-brother" (played by veteran lead Seth Gamble) has just returned from a run. Waiting for him on the kitchen counter is a freshly opened box of gourmet donuts. But this is no act of kindness.
Enter Rissa May as the quintessential BrattySis archetype. She isn't just sitting at the table; she is draping herself over it, wearing a oversized hoodie that strategically slips off one shoulder. She holds a jelly donut like a microphone, ready to monologue.
"I did you a favor," she coos. "But favors cost."
The humor is immediate. Rissa May’s delivery—a mix of valley-girl apathy and cunning negotiation—transforms a simple breakfast item into a hostage situation. The donuts aren't the gift; they are the leverage. The "Cupid’s Arrow" is the unspoken tension that has clearly been building for weeks in this fictional household. BrattySis - Rissa May - Donuts And Cupids Arrow...
The director of Donuts And Cupids Arrow understands pacing. The first seven minutes are purely dialogue and light physical antagonism. We see Rissa May dodging him, hiding behind the fridge door, and using a donut hole as a projectile weapon.
The turning point is the "frosting incident." In a brilliant bit of prop work, Rissa dips her finger into a chocolate-frosted donut and smears a line down his cheek. He retaliates by licking it off.
Suddenly, the game changes.
The transition is seamless:
The physicality is intense but grounded. Rissa May excels at the "reluctant enthusiast" trope—she plays like she is only doing this to get what she wants (the furniture painted), but her breathy giggles and the way she pulls him closer betray her genuine enjoyment.
| Platform | Metrics | Notable Reactions | |----------|---------|-------------------| | Spotify | 2.3 M streams | Added to playlists “Indie Summer Vibes” and “Pop’s Sweet Spot” | | TikTok | 1.1 M video uses | Trend: #DonutChallenge—users share “first bite” videos while lip‑syncing the chorus | | YouTube (Official Video) | 450 K views | Comments praise the “retro pastel aesthetic” and the “relatable donut analogy” | | Pitchfork Review | 7.6/10 | Highlight: “A sugary pop confection that’s more than just a novelty.” | | Fan Feedback (Twitter & Instagram) | Hashtags #BrattySisLove, #DonutArrow trending | Many fans cite the line “If the world’s a coffee shop…” as an instant quote meme |
The track’s viral TikTok moment helped it break into the Top 20 of the US Indie Pop chart on Billboard for the week of April 26 2024—an impressive feat for an indie artist on a boutique label.
Released: April 7, 2024 (digital, streaming, limited‑edition pink vinyl)
Producer: Milo “Moss” Rivera (co‑writer, also known for work with Tessa Violet & Alvvays) The title says it all—literally
In an Instagram Live Q&A (March 2024), Rissa revealed that the track was born out of a “late‑night pastry run with my boyfriend, followed by a minor argument about who ate the last glazed donut.” She confessed that the phrase “Donuts & Cupid’s Arrow” popped into her head while scrolling through a Pinterest board titled ‘Valentine’s Day Breakfast’—the juxtaposition of sugary indulgence and romantic cliché sparked the central metaphor: love is both sweet and a little messy.
“I wanted a love song that didn’t sound like a Hallmark card, but also didn’t feel like a breakup anthem. Donuts are the perfect symbol—fun, messy, sometimes you bite off more than you can chew, but you always go back for another bite.” – Rissa May
The song follows a classic three‑act structure: