"Cut!" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American singers Maren Morris and Julia Michaels, who appears as a featured artist. It was released on June 21, 2024, as the lead single of Morris's fifth extended play (EP), Intermission (2024). The song marked Morris's second collaboration with Michaels following "Circles Around This Town" (2020). Exploring the tension between outward composure and private emotional release, it was described by Morris as "a cathartic release" that gave her "permission to fall apart".
Background and release Morris teased "Cut!" ahead of its release on social media by sharing a promotional photograph with Michaels, showing herself standing on a table holding a chainsaw while Michaels sat nearby. In the caption, Morris wrote that she "can't wait to cathartically scream fuck at the top of [their] lungs together". She also revealed the track listing for her fifth extended play (EP), Intermission, confirming "Cut!" as its opening track. The song marks their second collaboration since Morris's 2020 single "Circles Around This Town", which Michaels co-wrote with Morris.
Morris said "Cut!" is about maintaining the appearance of having everything together during the day before allowing herself to "scream" and "fall apart" in private. She described the song as "a cathartic release" that gave her "permission to fall apart" despite societal expectations to remain composed.
Composition "Cut!" was written by Morris, Michaels, Caroline Ailin, and Joel Little, with production by Little. Morris and Michaels perform both lead and background vocals. Little also served as the recording engineer and played keyboards, percussion, and synthesizer, in addition to programming the track. The song was mixed by Alex Ghenea, mastered by Dale Becker, and engineered for vocals by Denis Kosiak, with Adam Burt, Katie Harvey, and Nate Mingo serving as assistant engineers.
"Cut!" is a midtempo song with a prominent synth sounds and chorus. Its lyrics explore the pressure to maintain a composed public image while seeking permission to openly experience and express one's emotions.
Personnel Credits were adapted from Tidal.
Maren Morrislead vocals, background vocals, songwriter Julia Michaelslead vocals, background vocals, songwriter Joel Littleproducer, engineer, keyboards, percussion, programmer, synthesizer, songwriter Caroline Ailinsongwriter Alex Gheneamixing engineer Dale Beckermastering engineer Denis Kosiakvocal engineer Adam Burtassistant engineer Katie Harveyassistant engineer Nate Mingoassistant engineer
Charts + Weekly chart performance Chart (2024) Peakposition New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 15
References