★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
You've heard her self-written lyrics sung by likes of Rihanna, Iggy Azalea and Selena Gomez. You've heard her voice on worldwide hits such as "Hey Mama" by David Guetta and "Me, Myself & I" by G-Eazy. Now, American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha continues to make a name for herself with the often-delayed release of her debut album All Your Fault Pt. 1. In a bizarre yet unique promotion tactic, the second half of the record makes it way out later this year.
Preceded by a knockout extended play in 2015 featuring should’ve-been bigger hits such as “I Can’t Stop Drinking About You” and “I’m Gonna Show You Crazy”, as well as lead album single “I Got You”, the new six-track effort highlights the artist’s uncanny ability to craft a pop hook that will stay lodged in the listener’s head for days after, causing a “repeat” disorder. Rexha’s vocals are unique and distinct; her material is abrasive, endearing and relatable, carving a path for deserved superstardom.
Opening with “Atmosphere”, a track that leaked in demo form early this year, Rexha quickly uses her moody vocal performance to convey her “ride or die” commitment to a significant other. While she gives a hip-hop delivery on the touching verses, it’s the uplifting chorus of devotion that will allow the effort to dominate the radio airwaves. “And I can't blame myself for getting lost inside the promise of you, and I can't blame you leaving, cause what's meant to be will always be true,” she sings with a mix of optimism and despair.
Lead single “I Got You” is a grower. Opening with tranquil production, surrounding Rexha’s calm and collective performance, the song quickly changes gears when the Top 40-ready chorus bursts through the speakers. The artist’s enunciation of a few words throughout give the track necessary dynamics, ultimately becoming an infectious and engaging, club-thumping tender ballad. The song is steadily climbing the charts, enchanting all that come across it.
"Small Doses" is a mid-tempo ballad filled to the brim with mixed emotions. While Rexha is feeling the rush of intimacy, feeling the touch of another, eventually she realizes the extreme difficulty when it comes to balancing the good with the bad. The production of the album track is the definite highlight, as it continues to build and build, and even though the verse to chorus switch is a bit off, the dramatic lead in gives the artist room to expand her range and dive into the touchy subject matter.
Rexha partners up with G-Eazy once again for "F.F.F (Fuck Fake Friends)" which will undoubtedly be serviced as the artist's next official single and dominate the airwaves from spring, well into the summer. "Friends come and go, friends come and go, go like the seasons, I never know, I never know, what to believe in," she sings on her solo opening verse, giving listeners a taste of harsh reality, though letting them chase it with a catchy, radio-friendly hook and a fearless attitude.
Embodying the "gypsy-pop" vibe of indie artist Neon Hitch, Rexha second guesses her own intentions on "Gateway Drug", a future anthem for the love torn exes of the world. After being rudely dumped by a heartless lover, the artist still finds herself drawn to him, specifically his kiss. With production that unexpectedly changes pace and tone as it progresses, Rexha navigates it all effortlessly - with the exception of the awkward refrain - and delivers yet another potential hit waiting in the wings.
The Pt. 1 release closes out with the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted "Bad Bitch", a rowdy, overly confident number where Rexha proudly proclaims herself to be something better than the ordinary basics in a certain man's life. "You're fuckin' with them basics when you really want the baddest, so come on, baby, get it, 'cause to miss it, it would be tragic," she explicits sings with Rihanna swag. Usually, hearing an artist gloat does not make for a great listen, but Rexha's assertiveness allows the message to go down easy.
All Your Fault Pt. 1 is a weird way to get to know a fairly new artist. That may be the biggest problem for the incredibly talented Bebe Rexha. For six songs, listeners are treated to a true chameleon, an artist who can change up her style on a dime, but when you're primarily known as a featured artist, it might be wise to stick to a particular sound and make it your own. With that said, all of the tracks featured on the first half of the artist's debut album are golden. Artists were certainly clamoring for a piece. Whether it's the song specifically designed for constant radio airplay, the song showcasing her hip-hop chemistry, or the tender ballad-esque effort that will delight early fans, Rexha has something to please everyone. How the first half will connect with the upcoming second, only time will tell, but for now, we can witness an artist evolving with much more conviction and focus.
Tracks to Hear: "Atmosphere", "I Got You", "Fuck Fake Friends" and "Gateway Drug"
"Small Doses" is a mid-tempo ballad filled to the brim with mixed emotions. While Rexha is feeling the rush of intimacy, feeling the touch of another, eventually she realizes the extreme difficulty when it comes to balancing the good with the bad. The production of the album track is the definite highlight, as it continues to build and build, and even though the verse to chorus switch is a bit off, the dramatic lead in gives the artist room to expand her range and dive into the touchy subject matter.
Rexha partners up with G-Eazy once again for "F.F.F (Fuck Fake Friends)" which will undoubtedly be serviced as the artist's next official single and dominate the airwaves from spring, well into the summer. "Friends come and go, friends come and go, go like the seasons, I never know, I never know, what to believe in," she sings on her solo opening verse, giving listeners a taste of harsh reality, though letting them chase it with a catchy, radio-friendly hook and a fearless attitude.
Embodying the "gypsy-pop" vibe of indie artist Neon Hitch, Rexha second guesses her own intentions on "Gateway Drug", a future anthem for the love torn exes of the world. After being rudely dumped by a heartless lover, the artist still finds herself drawn to him, specifically his kiss. With production that unexpectedly changes pace and tone as it progresses, Rexha navigates it all effortlessly - with the exception of the awkward refrain - and delivers yet another potential hit waiting in the wings.
The Pt. 1 release closes out with the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted "Bad Bitch", a rowdy, overly confident number where Rexha proudly proclaims herself to be something better than the ordinary basics in a certain man's life. "You're fuckin' with them basics when you really want the baddest, so come on, baby, get it, 'cause to miss it, it would be tragic," she explicits sings with Rihanna swag. Usually, hearing an artist gloat does not make for a great listen, but Rexha's assertiveness allows the message to go down easy.
All Your Fault Pt. 1 is a weird way to get to know a fairly new artist. That may be the biggest problem for the incredibly talented Bebe Rexha. For six songs, listeners are treated to a true chameleon, an artist who can change up her style on a dime, but when you're primarily known as a featured artist, it might be wise to stick to a particular sound and make it your own. With that said, all of the tracks featured on the first half of the artist's debut album are golden. Artists were certainly clamoring for a piece. Whether it's the song specifically designed for constant radio airplay, the song showcasing her hip-hop chemistry, or the tender ballad-esque effort that will delight early fans, Rexha has something to please everyone. How the first half will connect with the upcoming second, only time will tell, but for now, we can witness an artist evolving with much more conviction and focus.
Tracks to Hear: "Atmosphere", "I Got You", "Fuck Fake Friends" and "Gateway Drug"
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