Gena Perala stands her ground on new femme fatale spaghetti western single ‘Machete’

Delivering a bold, cinematic anthem that cuts through the noise with equal parts grit, glamour, and an emotional punch is Gena Perala’s latest single, “Machete.”

Sonically, “Machete” is a smoky slow burn—badass, brooding, and a little dangerous. With its spaghetti western swagger and femme fatale energy, it would fit seamlessly into a Tarantino film.

The track draws from a personal story of subtle but persistent bullying Perala faced as an adult in a sport she loved. “It wasn’t always overt, but the exclusion was real. One night I came home and thought, ‘Do I quit? Or do I fight for myself?’ So I wrote this song. Needless to say, I fought,” she states.

“Machete” wasn’t part of the original recording plan for her upcoming album, Somewhere New. “I already had more than enough songs,” states Perala. “But after our first day in the studio, I played a rough idea for the band. Within 20 minutes, they had cooked up this killer arrangement—I knew right away the song had to be on the album.” That night, Perala finished writing the lyrics. By the next day, “Machete” had fully taken shape.

The cover art adds another layer of personal history to the release. As Perala grew up with her family always on the move within the carnival circuit, the photo taken by her father is at some undisclosed location in rural Manitoba. It features a young Gena, her brother, and fellow gypsies, capturing a moment that feels both timeless and dreamlike. “It’s wild how well it fits the spirit of the song,” she says. “Something about that image—the little girls with the guns. It’s a paradox: innocence armed with defiance.”

Common themes from the album include choosing yourself, trusting that there’s something better ahead, and appreciating the simple things in life. “I think underneath it all, the album is really about resilience, hope, and staying true to who you are,” Perala says.

“Machete” is the second single leading up to her new album, Somewhere New, which is slated for a fall release. It follows her lead single, “I’m Gone.”