Honestly, the dating scene in 2026 is a dumpster fire. We’ve all been there—sitting across from someone who’s more interested in their reflection in the window than the actual conversation. You’re dropping hints, you’re fanning your neck because it’s getting a little tense, and they just... sit there. It’s a specific kind of awkwardness that Julia Michaels captured perfectly in her track Try Your Luck.
Released in May 2025 as a standout focus track from her EP Second Self, the song isn't just another pop tune. It’s a full-on mood. It marks a massive shift for Julia. She’s no longer just the "Issues" girl or the secret weapon behind Selena Gomez and Sabrina Carpenter’s biggest hits. She’s independent now. Running her own label, GFY Records. And you can tell. There’s a "don't care" energy in this song that feels way more authentic than the polished, over-produced stuff major labels usually shove down our throats.
Why Try Your Luck Hits Different (Literally)
The song is short. 2 minutes and 43 seconds. It doesn’t overstay its welcome. It gets in, calls you out, and leaves. Produced by the legendary Mattman & Robin, the production is bouncy and horn-heavy, inspired by Julia's love for 60s pop. It feels like a sister track to "Heaven II," but with a lot more sass.
The lyrics? Classic Julia. She has this way of writing that feels like a voice note from your best friend at 2 AM.
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"Every time I bite my lip, you just lose your grip on reality... but you keep your distance."
It’s about that weird "holding pattern" energy when two people are clearly into each other but one person is being too timid to actually make a move. Julia is basically saying, "Look, I’m interested, but I’m not doing the heavy lifting for you." It’s refreshing. In a world of "situationships," she’s demanding a bit of effort. If you want the goal, you gotta shoot the puck. Simple, right? Apparently not for most people.
The Music Video is a Fever Dream of Red Flags
If you haven't seen the video, go watch it. Now. Co-directed by Julia herself and Blythe Thomas, it’s a hilarious, campy audition process. Julia sits at a desk like a jaded casting director, watching potential boyfriends "try their luck" with various talents. We're talking ventriloquism, muscle flexing, the works.
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But the best part? The dodgeball scene. The balls are literally labeled with red flags. "Rude to waiters." "Owns 6 cats." "MAGA." It’s chaotic. It’s funny. And it shows off a side of Julia Michaels that we didn't really get to see during her Republic Records era. She’s funny. She’s sarcastic. She’s—as she put it in a 2025 interview—her "Second Self."
Moving Away From the "Sad Girl" Label
For a long time, the industry boxed Julia into this "vulnerable, emotional songwriter" category. And yeah, she’s great at that. But Second Self was her way of saying she’s more than just her trauma or her anxiety.
She's engaged now—to tattoo artist Mat Rule—and that stability seems to have given her the confidence to experiment. Starting GFY Records wasn't just a business move; it was a reclamation of power. She’s mentioned in interviews with People and American Songwriter that she was tired of being told what to release or having to wait for a budget. Now, if she wants to release a song about a guy being too shy to kiss her, she just does it.
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The independence looks good on her. Try Your Luck has this light, "goofiness" that feels earned. It’s the sound of someone who has nothing left to prove to the suits in the boardroom.
How to Actually Apply the "Try Your Luck" Philosophy
So, what do we actually do with this? If you’re stuck in one of those "holding patterns" Julia sings about, here is the move:
- Stop being the "personal representative." Julia mentions a guy using his friend to talk to her. Don't do that. Be direct.
- Look for the green flags, but acknowledge the red ones. If they’re "timid" for too long, it’s a sign. Move on.
- Shoot the puck. As the song says, if you want the goal, you have to take the shot. Life is too short to wait for someone to "untie their tongue."
If you’re a fan of her earlier work like "Inner Monologue," this might feel a bit different at first. It’s less about the internal spiral and more about the external reaction. But the "biting lyricism" is still there. It’s just wrapped in a more upbeat, horn-filled package.
Check out the rest of the Second Self EP if you haven't already. "Scissors" (the collab with Maren Morris) and "GFY" are essential listening for anyone who's ever felt like they were being held back by a label, a partner, or just their own head. Julia Michaels is finally playing by her own rules, and honestly, we should probably all start doing the same.