"The song’s production feels really new to me. It’s got a vibe in the beat like I haven’t heard before. I love Charli XCX, so getting to work with her was really inspiring. Offset felt like the perfect fit for the track. He’s one of the most talented, professional, down to Earth artists I’ve ever worked with, and his verse absolutely kills it."
Musically, "Hurts Like Hell" is a dark pop[7] song with a trap-influenced beat.[1] It also contains a "pointed message" and a "bone-jarring chorus".[8] Mike Nied, writing for Idolator, compared the song to Beer's previous single "Dead".[8] Beer's vocals, which are distorted by synths in the song, were described by Billboard as "deep and soulful".[1] Lyrically, it sees the singer dismissing a cheating ex, as she touts her success.[3]
Critical reception
Nicole Engleman of Billboard, called the song "fierce". She additionally praised Offset's verse in the song, stating his vocals "add texture" to the song.[1] Mike Nied, writing for Idolator, also complimented Offset's verse, calling it "perfectly at home on the beat," while also stating "it is definitely possible to imagine the pair dominating radio in the coming weeks".[8]
Music video
A music video accompanied the release of "Hurts Like Hell".[6] The witchcraft-inspired video sees the singer taking revenge on an abusive man. The singer later appears at his bedside with a knife, before a witch hunt begins that builds to the video's ending.[7] Mike Wass of Idolator called the video "delightfully twisted".