Mary Hatley shares a fierce piece of Memphis storytelling on “The Poison I Chose”

With her new single “The Poison I Choose,” Memphis native Mary Hatley announces herself as a fierce and fearless storyteller. Drawn from her debut album of the same name, the track captures everything that makes Hatley such a compelling new voice—gritty honesty, blues-soaked emotion, and a willingness to stare down her demons without flinching.

Produced by Matt Qualls at the storied Easley McCain studio, the song blends rootsy guitar tones with soulful vocals that recall the smoky power of Stevie Nicks and the raw confessional edge of Elle King. Hatley’s lyrics dig into the contradictions of love and self-destruction—acknowledging a toxic bond even as she keeps choosing it. There’s no self-pity here, only unguarded truth delivered with a defiant kind of grace.

Musically, “The Poison I Choose” bridges classic Memphis soul with contemporary Americana, evoking the ghosts of Fleetwood Mac and Lynyrd Skynyrd while sounding unmistakably modern. Hatley’s voice—equal parts ache and steel—carries the weight of experience and the spark of survival.