"Yes I'm a Mess" is a song by American pop band AJR. It was released on September 29, 2023, via Mercury Records as the fifth and final single from the band's fifth studio album The Maybe Man.
Background
"Yes I'm a Mess" was first teased on YouTube on August 9, 2023, featuring an instrumental clip of the song with the band in Pula. More teasers were published on August 13, August 22, September 12, September 16, and September 22 before its release date was announced on September 25, 2023. The song was teased again on September 26 before releasing on September 29, 2023. In relation to the song being the last single of The Maybe Man, the band stated "we put absolutely everything we had into this album, visuals, and tour. Down to every little detail. Get ready to immerse yourself in this world".
Composition
"Yes I'm a Mess" is composed in time signature in the key of D minor and primarily follows a tempo of 92 beats per minute (BPM).
Music video
A music video for "Yes I'm a Mess" was released on October 25, 2023, and directed by Adam Met, Jack Met, Ryan Met, Austin Roa, Libby Sears, Pranav Arora, Cat Capps, Alba Avoricani, and Rob Piccione. The band claimed they spent three weeks attempting to produce a high-budget video that they found unsatisfactory, so they quickly filmed a low-budget video that they liked more. The video features Jack in Times Square dressed up as Elmo; later in the video, he ends up being chased by the NYPD.