Jack Rush Brings Duchamp’s Alter Ego to Life in His Wild New Rock Track “Rrose Sélavy”

Now and then a rock artist swings so hard into an idea that you just have to sit back and go, “Oh damn… he really went for it.” Jack Rush’s new single “Rrose Sélavy” is exactly that kind of moment. It’s loud, clever, oddly glamorous, and packed with more art-world mischief than a grad-school thesis wrapped in guitar feedback.

And honestly? It rules.

If you’re not familiar, Rrose Sélavy was Marcel Duchamp’s female alter ego, part performance, part satire, part middle finger to every rigid idea about identity and “serious art.” Jack Rush takes that legacy and drags it straight through the amplifier, ripping out a track that feels like Dadaism crashed into modern rock and walked away grinning.

Rush, who has been on a steady rise since his critically-acclaimed 2024 debut Late Bloomer, is basically a one-man band here. He wrote every line, played every instrument except drums, and fully leaned into the “I’ll do it myself” energy that’s becoming his trademark.

The result? A punchy, snarling rock track loaded with searing riffs, a guitar solo that slices right through the mix, and vocals that swing between emotional heat and sly humor. It’s the kind of song that feels like it was built for a live stage, sweaty, loud, unrestrained, but still smart enough to impress your favorite art nerd.

Rather than treat Duchamp like a dusty museum relic, Rush treats him like the patron saint of rule-breaking. The lyrics nod to:

• Dadaism and surrealism

• Duchamp’s famous chess obsession

• His chaotic humor

• That iconic Man Ray photoshoot

• And even his weirdly philosophical sneeze quote

It’s highbrow and lowbrow at the same time, very Duchamp, very Jack Rush.

And the cover art? Rush photobombing Duchamp’s Rrose Sélavy portrait with his own face. Hilarious, bold, and kind of perfect.

Even if you don’t care about 20th-century art, the single still slaps. The production (handled by Neihardt, with mix/master by Tatum Rush) gives it this crisp, modern punch that sits right on top of his vintage rock DNA. The whole thing moves with the confidence of someone who finally found the sound he was trying to make his whole life.

Rush has described himself as a late bloomer, which is relatable, but “Rrose Sélavy” sounds like an artist hitting his stride and refusing to slow down.

Rush has said the song is also a quiet tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, aligning Duchamp’s identity play with the ongoing fight against today’s rising authoritarianism. It adds a surprising emotional weight beneath all the swagger.

If you love rock, this record is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, that perfect mix of grit, brains, style, and a voice smooth enough to glide over the chaos. Jack Rush takes a century-old art legend, flips it into a modern rock anthem, and somehow makes the whole thing feel effortless.