Bebe Rexha releases ‘Bebe’; Pop turns ‘70s superstar
Bebe Rexha is no stranger to exploring genres. The Grammy-nominated pop chameleon is the longest-charting female artist on Billboard Hot Country and has collaborated with a plethora of diverse artists including Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker, Doja Cat, Charli XCX, Florida Georgia Line, and more.
Rexha has two studio albums under her belt, Expectations (2018), which features the self-deprecating track “I’m a Mess” and pop-rock and hip-hop-inspired Better Mistakes (2021). Among her discography, she has three songs that have hit 1 billion streams and her 2022 hit with David Guetta, “I’m Good (Blue),” is following close behind.
The self-titled Bebe, which is self-produced, dropped on April 28 after a number of singles, “Heart Wants What It Wants,” “Call On Me,” and “Satellite.”
Despite such massive success with standout tracks, Rexha is struggling to get herself to A-list musician status. After “I’m Good (Blue)” reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, hundreds of viral tweets spawned questioning Bebe Rexha’s fame level.
“Bebe Rexha could have the most top ten songs in the history of recorded music and still, no one would know who she is,” shared a Twitter user. “Completely fascinating phenomenon.”
When asked about this topic by Rolling Stone, Rexha responded, “If you want to get more of me, I’ll be here keeping it real.” If there’s anything else that Rexha had to do to prove that she is deserving of her success, she did it with Bebe.
The album is a whimsical marriage of decades, set to a contemporary electronic beat. It’s clear that Rexha was inspired by iconic women in the music industry, specifically in the 1970s and 1980s. “Heart Wants What It Wants” opens the album with Stevie Nicks-inspired songwriting and ‘80s synths all on an earworm 2023 pop record. Rexha gets grittier on “Miracle Man,” in both the production and the lyrical subject matter. She commands the track toward a lover because a woman like her “ain’t easy to please.”
Sex, drugs, excess and Snoop Dogg. What else could you ask for? “Satellite” takes the listener straight to Studio 54. This weed-inspired anthem was released on April 20, 4/20, marijuana’s culture holiday. However, Rexha takes you right back down to Earth with “When it Rains.” Her lyrical chops are shown off on this track regarding broken lovers finding solace in each other.
“When it rains / I’m on a tidal wave on a midnight train to you.”
“Call on Me” is full Bella Donna meets David Guetta. It flows perfectly and is a perfect segway into “I’m Good (Blue).” Both songs are fully electronic, dance-pop perfection. While it may seem shocking that Rexha included such modern bangers in a ‘70s-inspired album, the project is very cohesive in the way it transitions, slowly implementing sonic cues that we are transporting to a different era.
Her vocals are beautiful throughout the eternity of Bebe— unique and dynamic with wonderful technique. Rexha takes the listener on a gorgeous journey, and you instinctively trust that she knows exactly what she’s doing. “Visions (Don’t Go)” is another amazingly written love song with disco inspiration, nods to Donna Summer and, of course, her showstopping voice.
Rexha pulled out all of the stops in “I’m Not High, I’m In Love” and “Blue Moon.” She pairs Carole King-like piano introductions with contemporary, explosive pop choruses. She transforms into a total rock star, complete with a killer electric guitar solo.
Transporting us to a sold-out stadium with a screaming crowd holding their lighters up, “Born Again” is a stripped-back power anthem with a synth, guitar and a full choir. I would do anything to be in a dive bar screaming this at the top of my lungs with my friends at 2 am.
“Forget the afterlife / Who needs heaven when you’re here tonight?” Rexha gets candid about her experience as an Albanian woman in “I Am.” She embraces her female power, which is especially fitting in the context of her musical inspirations and the entire tone of the album.
Just when you think Bebe couldn’t get any better, Rexha recruits Dolly Parton for “Seasons.” The song has an acoustic, old-country music feel. Parton provides angelic background vocals and has her own heartbreaking verse, inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” There is such a rawness to both of their voices in the last chorus that leaves the listener with a knife to the heart. The 33 and 77-year-old singer’s voices complement each other as they both pour their hearts out on a track about navigating life as they grow older.
“My mirror is a liar / Inside, I’m still a child / Who’s tryin’ to find her way back home.”
Rexha will be returning to the stage this summer for her first headlining tour in 6 years, titled the “Best F*n Night Of My Life.”
Featured photo by Dennis Leupold