Fiona Apple returns with a haunting and urgent new single, “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home),” a heart-wrenching ballad inspired by her years of court-watching and her work with Free Black Mamas DMV. Released today alongside a moving video filled with real footage from women affected by pretrial detention, the song is a raw indictment of America’s broken cash-bail system — and a plea for compassion and reform.
Built on stark piano and Apple’s unmistakable voice, “Pretrial” tells the story of mothers jailed not because they’re guilty — but because they can’t afford bail. The song unravels a cascade of trauma: lost homes, lost children, lost dignity. “They wouldn’t let her go home / And now there’s no more home,” she sings — a devastating refrain that anchors the emotional weight of the project.
The video, produced by Zealous and Special Operations Studios, brings those stories to life through real photos and video clips shared by formerly incarcerated women — vibrant, human moments slowly glitching into absence as Apple’s lyrics unfold.
Fiona shared: “This song is for the women who’ve lived through the trauma of pretrial detention — and for those fighting to end it. I hope it helps more people see what’s really at stake.”
Watch the video, listen to the song, and take action at LetHerGoHome.org. You can donate, learn more about the Free Black Mamas DMV movement, and join the court-watching effort to bring accountability to our justice system.