“Loving you is f***ing torture!” spits Casey Baer in her new song. “ptxd” (aka post-traumatic ex disorder) calls out an ex and how they “ruined all my memories,” she sings over a pop-rock structure. Lighting an Olivia Rodrigo-like spark, the kiss-off anthem finds Baer circling the drain and attempting to uncover her self-worth.

In a conversation with her co-writer and executive producer Sophie Simmons last November, Baer got to talking about “all of the trauma a toxic relationship leaves you with, almost like a sort of PTSD…and we were both like, pt-ex-d…and that’s when the inspiration struck,” says Baer. “[This song] is directly inspired by the relatable experience of what it feels like to go through bad breakups that affect your mental health, and what it’s like dating afterward. I hope this song helps others who are going (or have gone through) something similar because it’s definitely not an easy experience to navigate alone.”

“All these symptoms / My therapist was right, I should have listened,” she sings. “Not a victim, but you managed to rewire my nervous system / It’s one helluva trauma, left me alone with the drama / Overthinking and reading between lines.” Her voice punches the eardrums, each word carrying a particular weight. The song bounces along with abandon. It might be August, but she just threw her hat into the ring for Banger of the Summer.

Listen to “ptxd” below.

Out of Los Angeles, Baer has been stirring up a storm. She’s amassed an impressive following, garnered 10 million streams, and opened for the likes of WeThree, Tokio Hotel, and Jesse McCartney. “ptxd” is her second single this year, following “17 Again,” as well as a slew of releases in 2022. From “Convenient” and her not that girl EP, she has all the markings of a pop star with a bold, honest, and growing catalog.