Fiona Apple Drops New Track “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)”: A Bold Political Statement

It’s a comeback that’s as eagerly anticipated as it is politically charged. Fiona Apple has just released Pretrial (Let Her Go Home), her first new song in five years since Fetch the Bolt Cutters. The powerful track is dedicated to all the women who are held in pretrial detention simply because they cannot afford their bail.

In the United States, accused individuals can remain free while awaiting their trial if they can post a bail amount, which can be prohibitively expensive. For the economically disadvantaged, this means remaining incarcerated, despite being presumed innocent.

Two Years in the Courtrooms

For the past two years, Fiona Apple has been deeply involved in this issue, attending numerous court hearings and gathering stories from women caught in this predicament. Many of these women are mothers, primary caregivers, or healthcare providers. “It has been particularly hard to hear about mothers and caregivers being taken away from those who rely on them,” she shared in a statement. Additionally, the Black community is disproportionately affected.

While the lyrics directly reflect the circumstances of these women, the music video features various images that honor the individuals and families affected by this harsh judicial system that preys on the vulnerable.