Up-and-coming London quintet Chemtrails bring in retro surf rock elements on their latest song, “Headless Pin Up Girl,” off of their new EP of the same name. The lo-fi song bears an important personal message from band leader Mia Lust, the lyrics acting as an open reflection of oneself and place in this world. Over breezy harmonies and chilled out guitar parts, Lust’s lyrics highlight the dichotomy between being told you can be anything you want and yet still feeling confined and misunderstood by friends, all of which served to broadly describe Lust’s eventual decision to come out as transgender and begin transitioning.

Lust further explains the inspiration behind the song’s title and its gripping lyrical makeup:

“Headless Pin Up Girl” is a song I actually wrote a few years ago, and the last song I wrote before deciding to come out as transgender and begin transition. The title was inspired by online crossdressing forums I used to visit, which had a lot of pictures of people dressed up all pretty and femme, but with their heads out of shot to hide their identities. The song says as much as I could possibly say at the time without just stating the fact that I’m trans, but it could equally well be about anyone that knows the feeling of not being able to be themselves, or anyone that has kept secrets out of shame and embarrassment.

The band is busy at work on their upcoming debut full-length, which is tentatively slated for the fall. Check out the song below.

Headless Pin Up Girl is out 5/12 via Punk Slime Recordings. Pre-order it on Bandcamp.