BeBe Rexha | Self Titled Album BeBe
Bebe Rexha is an American singer-songwriter and talented musician from Brooklyn, NY. She has been on the music scene since 2010 after meeting Pete Wentz and joining his project Black Cards as the lead singer until January 2012. In 2013 she signed with Warner Records and received writing credits on Eminem’s hit song called “The Monster.” Bebe has also contributed her songwriting skills to other well-known artists such as, Selina Gomez and Nick Jonas notably. Her first extended play, I Don’t Want to Grow Up, was released in 2015 followed by two more extended plays in 2017, All Your Fault Part 1 and All Your Fault Part 2. Her first studio album, Expectations, was released in 2018, which reached number 13 on Billboard 200 chart in the US. Her second studio album, Better Mistakes, was released in 2021, and on April 28, 2023 she released her third studio album, self-titled, Bebe, which is the subject of this review.
Bebe has been working in the music industry for over a decade drawing inspiration from the influences of Lauryn Hill, Madonna, Blondie, Pink, Alanis Morrisette, and Dolly Parton who she collaborates with on her song, Seasons, which is off the new record. As I continued to listen to her latest album on multiple occassions, I could hear how the impact of those influences inspired certain songs on the album. Each song has its own vibe, and its hard for the listener not to resonate with her words and the messages she conveys within her songs. She shows us who she is, and she is empowering.
Bebe starts strong with the first track on the album, Heart Wants What It Wants, which was first released as a single. This song starts with a 70’s feel and breaks into Bebe’s signature pop/dance beat. Her vocals are on point, from her high notes to her beautifully soft, almost-whispers. I cannot think of a better song to convey not having feelings for someone in such fun “sorry, not sorry” way. It is not anti-love song by any means; however, it does convey a “I know what I want and I’m not settling” message.
It was VERY hard to pick a favorite song on this album because honestly, they are all equally fabulous. However, the song I found myself going back to and listening to the most was Miracle Man, listed as the second track. This song is sultry and sexy, and her vocals draw you into their enchanting melody matched perfectly and in harmony with the beat. If Heart Wants What It Wants conveys what she does not want, Miracle Man lets you know exactly what she wants…to make her believe in love again.
Her first collaboration on this album begins with track 3, Satellite, featuring Snoop Dogg. Quite frankly, I bounced back and forth between Satellite and Miracle Man as my favotites….so maybe we will just call it a tie here. This song is so fun, continues with the danceability of the album, and just puts you in a good mood with lyrics in the chorus like, “Last night, I got higher than a Satellite. I took a one-way ticket, it’s a one-man mission to paradise.” This song, with all its fun, allows you to let loose and relax into its vibe. It is easy to see how a someone would get a contact high just by listening to it.
I’m Good (Blue) is a collaboration with David Guetta that gets your blood pumping and hypes you up for whatever you’re doing, or whatever bad mood you might be in. It’s hard not to get hyped up with lyrics like “Baby, I’ma have the best f*ckin’ night of my life and wherever it takes me, I’m down for the ride.” This is a “zero f*cks given” kind of song. I just love the combination of the piano notes mixed in with the beats of the synthesizer’s. Bebe and David’s collaboration turns a song I couldn’t stand with, I’m Blue, and makes it their own amazing hit. This is a serious club hit!
Bebe’s song, I Am, begs the question most women have….”If I am everything, why am I not everything to you?” She outlines who she is in these empowering lyrics, knowing that she is enough and that she is everything, but still wondering why that isn’t good enough for someone. I think a lot of us have been able to relate to that particular feeling at some point during our lives. Once again, she nails it with this song.
Slowing things down on the album are two gorgeously created songs, Born Again and Seasons, her collaboration with Dolly Parton. Born Again is a beautiful love song that simplifies and marries Bebe’s vocals with the instrumentals of eloquently played guitars and drums. Bebe really strips it down with this song and reminds us that love itself, is simple and beautiful when stripped down to its core. It was so refreshing and poetic to hear.
The final song on the album, Season’s, is even more beautiful; a simple acoustic guitar coupled with her gorgeous voice throughout the length of the song. Her collaboration with Dolly Parton was in perfect harmony. It was so perfect in fact, that my ear had a tough time deciphering who’s lyrics were who’s at times. Their melodic pairing is beautiful simplistic in this song and touches your soul on a deep level, once again resonating with the listener with lyrics such as “My mirror is a liar. Inside, I’m still a child who’s tryin’ to find her way back home. How come nobody warns us about what’s coming for us? That you will live and die alone.” I love this song, and it’s calm, soothing vibration so much.
Bebe delivers with this album. From the rhythmic beats and tempos of the songs to her incredible vocals, she is real and she is raw. There isn’t a bad song on this album and personally it has been a long time since I can remember that I have loved an album in its entirety, which I was very surprised by. Rarely do I download an entire album, but this is one that you can listen to anywhere, at anytime, while you’re doing anything from cooking or cleaning, working out at the gym, dancing at a club, having a night out, or driving around blasting tunes in your car. I have been a Bebe fan for quite a few years now, but this album and this version of Bebe she’s shown us makes me an even bigger one. I look forward to seeing what she puts out next.
Bebe is currently on her Best F’n Night tour which spans 25 concerts across 6 countries from 2023-2024. Be sure to lookup her concert tour dates to see if she’ll be coming to your area and purchase your tickets. You won’t want to miss it!
Editor Allyson Romano
This album merits 5 stars from this reviewer, and is available for preview and purchase on Apple iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon music.