Video Premiere: Madame Reaper doubles down on “Utopia”

Photo Credit: Shawn Ruddy

Wildfires, a pandemic, shifting global views on democracy, blatant signs of authoritarianism, etc. We could go on. Our timeline is a blend of apocalyptic cues and discourse on the latest trends. Meanwhile our social fabric tears apart. That’s the premise of art pop artist Madame Reaper’s latest video “Utopia.” It’s a call-it-what-it-is moment, an effort to shine a light on the reality that we’ve slowly become blind to.

Madame Reaper is the project of Chicago-based songwriter Kira Leadholm. Working with her musical partner Kevin Sheppard (Girl K, Burr Oak), she pulls from ’80s synth-pop, ’70s art rock, and classical music. On “Utopia” Leadholm’s lyrics are simultaneously playful and direct. Taken from the 2025 project This is an album because the industry says it’s not., “Utopia” is the “This is fine” meme in song form.

The song was written after the Canadian wildfires’ impact on Chicago’s air back in 2023. Madame Reaper was frustrated by American politicians’ willingness to push a narrative of normalcy. “I wanted to write a song that sonically reflects the tension between the 'American utopia' touted by politicians and the reality experienced by the public,” she says. “The result was ‘Utopia,’ which contrasts my experience that summer and feeling suffocated by our power structures with the rosy narrative put forth by those in power.” It doesn’t help that the algorithm is accelerating our demise.

"This video is heavily inspired by my experience working in journalism and my concern with the state of the media,” Madame Reaper shares. “While several independent outlets and journalists are calling this administration what it is — a fascist dictatorship led by a decrepit Hitler wannabe — it's insane to me that political coverage from major publications is still shrouded in euphemism. Of course, that's often the result of ultra-wealthy owners who think editorial over-reach is their prerogative,” she explains. “So at a high level, this video aims to interrogate how the media is feeding political polarization and ideological extremism.”

“At an even higher level, the video is trying to point out how we're becoming numb to absolutely insane news. Even since we made the video, some of the fake headlines we thought were absurdist have come to fruition,” she says. “In short, I want this to be a wake up call for anyone who either isn't paying attention or thinks this administration won't affect them."

Check out the video below and please consider donating to the ACLU.

Madade Reaper’s album This is an album because the industry says it’s not. is out now. Go listen.

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