Raw new single examines cycles and self-blame in toxic relationships; powerful follow-up to April’s “DLG“
SEATTLE, WA — May 16, 2026 — Seattle-based artist Katie Wright releases “Toxic,” a brutally honest examination of the unhealthy patterns in harmful relationships. The second single from her forthcoming concept album Cycles, “Toxic” confronts the devastating question that haunts survivors: “There’s a target on my back, did I put it there?”
Behind the Song
“‘Toxic’ sits in the heart of the album where everything is starting to feel broken,” Wright explains. “It’s that moment when you’re looking at the wreckage of another unhealthy relationship and wondering why you keep finding yourself here. And if maybe you deserve what you’re getting.”
The track explores the cycle of self-blame that often follows trauma, where survivors internalize responsibility for the harm done to them. Wright’s vocals carry vulnerability and strength as she navigates the complex emotions of recognizing patterns while wrestling with shame.
“This song is about the voice in your head that asks if you put the target on your own back,” Wright says. “It’s about recognizing that you’re in this cycle that you did not create, but you have to break.”
From Silence to Strength
Following April’s unflinching “DLG,” which confronted childhood grooming during Child Abuse Prevention Month, “Toxic” represents the next stage in Cycles. Where “DLG” broke the silence about childhood trauma, “Toxic” examines how that early damage ripples through adult relationships.
“The album traces an arc,” Wright notes. “It starts with breaking silence, moves through the wreckage in adult life, and ultimately reaches a place of collective action and hope. “Toxic” is in the middle of that wreckage, but it’s not the end of the story.”
Cycles ventures deeper into territory Wright began exploring with “DLG”: childhood trauma, survival, toxic relationships, and the long path to healing. The complete 15-track album, due July 2026, promises to be her most vulnerable and vital work yet.
About Katie Wright
Katie Wright is a Seattle-based singer-songwriter, visual artist, and advocate. Known for her podcast, Staying Connected, and advocacy for people with VEDS (Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), Wright brings the same energy to her music that has defined her advocacy work.
Her 2025 debut album, Glitter, processed her life with a rare, life-threatening connective tissue disorder. Cycles represents an evolution – Wright using her platform to explore the formative experiences that shaped her development as a person.
Wright performs at Seattle-area open mics and creates songs that refuse to shy away from difficult truths. She also designs light-hearted sticker art as Sillybug Studios, believing in the importance of both processing pain and celebrating joy.
Streaming & Contact
“Toxic” is now available on Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms.
Pre-save Cycles Album: https://ffm.to/cycleskatiewright
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• Bandcamp: katiewrightmusic.bandcamp.com
Press Contact:
Katie Wright
Email: kt@sillybugstudios.com
Seattle, WA
Complete electronic press kit available at: Electronic Press Kit. High-resolution artwork and interview requests available upon request.
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If you or someone you know needs support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7, confidential support: 1-800-799-7233