Album Review: "BITE ME" - Reneé Rapp

*BITE ME by Reneé Rapp via reneerapp.com

Reneé Rapp is a force to be reckoned with. Her brutally honest lyrics and authentic personality make her stand out in the pop music scene. Her latest album, BITE ME, encapsulates the singer’s raw and vulnerable self while showcasing her unmistakable talent. From the cheeky lead single, “Leave Me Alone,” to the powerful ballad, “Sometimes”, the singer is undoubtedly one of the best modern performers. The twelve new songs give listeners a glimpse into her journey since the release of her debut album, Snow Angel.

TRACKLIST

Leave Me Alone

Mad

Why Is She Still Here?

Sometimes

Kiss It Kiss It

Good Girl

I Can't Have You Around Me Anymore

Shy

At Least I'm Hot

I Think I Like You Better When You're Gone

That's So Funny

You'd Like That Wouldn't You

Leave Me Alone

“Leave Me Alone” is a powerful statement about Rapp’s carefree attitude and desire to live life on her own terms. She doesn’t want to listen to anyone and only wants to do what makes her happy. This is something that makes fans, as well as people who don’t even know who she is but happen to come across her interviews, absolutely adore her. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind and be her honest self. While the song has several tongue-in-cheek lyrics, such as "Manager called me said ‘where’s the single?" and "Party in the hills people tryna talk business // Leave me alone, bitch, I wanna have fun," my favorite line is at the end of the second verse. Rapp proudly says, “Took my sex life with me now the show ain’t fucking!” This directly references the show, The Sex Life of College Girls, which many people say went downhill after she exited the show to pursue her music career. While it is unclear if Rapp agrees with this statement, her including it in the song is a callout to everyone angry at her for following her dreams, leaving the show in the past. She is tired of everyone’s loud opinions and expectations. She just wants to be left alone.

Mad

The sophomore single, “Mad,” is an electrifying pop anthem about wanting to make up after a fight, but her partner refuses to accept her apology. She has done everything — “not a sorry in a world [she] ain’t already said.” However, her partner won’t let her back in. Rapp reduces it to the fact that they enjoy being mad at her, and it’s their own problem because they could’ve been “having sex” and could’ve been “cute and stupid.” She switches it up in the last chorus, where she accuses her partner of “fucking with [her] head.” She’s exhausted with this and has decided to give up. Her lyrics resonate with listeners who have experienced having someone refuse to accept a sincere apology for the sake of feeling superior and in control. Alongside the infectious production and clever hook, “Mad” is a perfect pop song.

Why Is She Still Here?

The third and final single before BITE ME’s release is the emotional ballad, “Why Is She Still Here?” The song contains a bluesy, R&B-influenced soundscape that complements Rapp’s powerful vocals. Throughout the track, she pleads to her partner to either let her go or let the other woman go. They are stringing her along, putting the singer through this toxic push-and-pull. The frustration and desperation are evident through Rapp’s passionate vocals and anger-filled lyrics. She hates being treated as a second choice, but can’t seem to let go of them herself. “Why Is She Still Here?” being BITE ME’s lead ballad ingeniously prepped the audience for the remainder of the album. 

Sometimes

Rapp immediately kicks off the new songs with “Sometimes,” which instantly rips the listener to shreds. It is the direct follow-up to the last song, “Why Is She Still Here?” The piano ballad is about this push-and-pull described previously. However, while the third song shows more of the singer’s frustration, “Sometimes” shows more of her devastation. In the chorus, she delivers the heart-wrenching lyrics: “If I can’t have you, then let me find someone else // I’m tired of being a good time // It’s killing me having you sometimes// If you still want her, then leave me here by myself // I know what I said, but it’s not fine.” Her stunning vocals plead with her subject to stop stringing her along and cut her loose, so she can move on with someone else – someone who will treat her as more than a body. With Rapp’s flawless falsettos and vulnerable songwriting, “Sometimes” instantly became a top favorite of mine.

Kiss It Kiss It

Rapp brings back the energy with the sensual pop anthem, “Kiss It Kiss It.” The song explores moments of sexual intimacy with her partner. The couple is so in sync, spending all their time tangled up with each other. In the classic Reneé Rapp fashion, the track is filled with comedic, out-of-pocket lines such as “She asked me how I liked my breakfast // I told her, ‘Hot on the bedroom floor’” and “I think we almost made a baby // I mean, we can’t, but we came so close.” These lines are not only naturally cheeky but also highlight the couple’s fiery passion and chemistry. Alongside the steamy lyrics, the track contains an undeniably infectious soundscape complete with a bouncy bassline and catchy drums. Just like “Sometimes,” “Kiss It Kiss It” was an immediate Rapp favorite.

Good Girl

In “Good Girl,” Rapp shares the story of her life being turned completely upside down when her muse came into her life. The moody, electrifying track describes how the singer was once a good girl – “Sunsets and yoga // Safe sex and no drugs.” That is, until they showed up. Now, she is a wild child, staying up late and "disappointing her father." The entire song feels like an extension of the very first line in “Leave Me Alone.” In the lead single, she sings, “I’m a real bad girl but a real good kisser.” This direct reference provides even more context to both songs, telling people to leave her alone because she wants to have fun with this new woman. With the synth-heavy, 80s pop-inspired soundscape, "Good Girl" is an unforgettable anthem that will be a standout on tour.

I Can't Have You Around Me Anymore

The album’s tone strips back down to the guitar-led ballad, “I Can’t Have You Around Me Anymore.” The song shares Rapp’s internal conflict of falling in love with a friend and not knowing how they feel about her. The singer has a girlfriend at home, and it is causing fights because it is obvious that Rapp has feelings for this new person. Her soft, subtle voice, which is usually powerful and confident, displays her guilt and sorrow. She pines for this person but does not know what to do. In the end, she tells her muse that she can no longer have them around because the pain has become unbearable. She would rather be unhappy in her current relationship than risk it all for the unknown – or break her current partner’s heart. The soft, acoustic soundscape complements the vulnerability and complexity of the lyrics.

Shy

“Shy” contains a 2000s pop-rock vibe that would perfectly fit on the soundtrack of a cult classic romcom. When speaking in an interview, Rapp confessed that the song is about how she felt “smitten and nervous” around her current girlfriend, Towa Bird, who was the muse for most of BITE ME. The infectious song begins with her admitting how this is not usually how she reacts: “It’s hard to make me nervous // Much easier to piss me off,” immediately following up with “But whenever you’re around, babe // I kiss the ground you’re walkin’ on.” Throughout the track, she tries to explain to her girlfriend not to be gentle with her because her timidness is not from being sexually reserved but from being so head over heels that she doesn’t know how to act. However, in the bridge, she completely switches the tune to bold lyrics, symbolizing the singer coming out of her shell and embracing her nerves.

At Least I'm Hot

Once again, Rapp has blessed her listeners with a flawless, tongue-in-cheek anthem that pokes fun at herself while remaining relatable to her audience. “At Least I’m Hot” is about how Rapp’s life is falling apart; she is depressed, and everything is overwhelming her. But it’s okay, because at least she is hot. The bridge contains my favorite lyrics, as it continues the 2000s pop-rock vibe while also featuring comedic lyrics: “I don’t know if you’re new ‘round here // But let me make this crystal clear // I might be down but I’m still bad.” Rapp cleverly utilizes this common pop culture slang, but twists it to fit the “depressed but hot” narrative. “At Least I’m Hot” instantly became one of my favorite songs on BITE ME due to its ingenuity and humorous nature.

I Think I Like You Better When You're Gone

“I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone” was the one song on the album where the title was completely misleading. I was expecting an anger-fueled anthem, but instead, I was met with an absolutely devastating break-up ballad. The acoustic R&B-style song is about her ex-girlfriend from the perspective of when they were still together. She kicks off the track with the chorus: “I know that I’m supposed to miss you and wish that you were here // But the more I drink, the more I think you might just disappear // I got a funny feeling, funny feeling something’s wrong // I think I like you better // I think I like you better when you’re–.” Before she can finish the hook, she immediately switches to the first verse, but it might as well be the same, as she tells her subject, “Out of sight, out of mind.” She explains that she is happier when she is not around, dreads her return, and knows that this relationship is doomed. Leading into the second verse, she does the same hook cut-off, with the lyrics “I think I like you better when you’re – Across the fucking country.” The lyrics are heart-wrenching, emphasized by the guilt and sorrow dripping in Rapp’s voice. The vulnerability and honesty she displays, as well as her incredible vocal range, make the song one of my favorites in her entire discography.

That's So Funny

“That’s So Funny” is another sarcastic track that I couldn’t help but think is the moody follow-up to “Poison Poison” off Snow Angel. The song calls out the unnamed subject for doing Rapp dirty and painting her in a negative light. Similarly to “Leave Me Alone,” she also references The Sex Lives of College Girls. In the second verse, she sings: “But here comes the spoiler// The show’s really over // If you’re looking for closure // You got a better shot with God than you do with me.” After Rapp left the series, the show was generally not well-received and subsequently canceled. Her clever references that tie to other songs are what make the singer one of my favorite songwriters. She is a genius wordsmith who is a true triple threat: singer, songwriter, and actress – A well-rounded talent that deserves to have a bigger name in the industry.

You'd Like That Wouldn't You

Rapp ends the album with a bang. “You’d Like That Wouldn’t You” is my favorite song on BITE ME. It contains all my favorite elements: Rapp’s witty sarcasm, an infectious soundscape, and her insane vocal range that made me fall in love with her when I first heard Snow Angel. The song is a feisty anthem toward her ex-girlfriend, predicting all the things that she wants from Rapp, such as begging for her to take her back, never finding love again, and crashing her wedding when the officiant says, “speak now.” Dripping in sass, she asks her ex: “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Rapp’s quick tongue and ability to leave audiences in shock with her bluntness are why so many people are lured to the artist (media training, who?). She is authentically her, and with the final track, she is staring her ex directly in the eye, saying, “BITE ME.”

BITE ME by Reneé Rapp is a flawless twelve-track album consisting of powerful ballads, sassy lyrics, and stunning vocals. Her previous album, Snow Angel, is one of my favorite records of all time, so I had high expectations for the new project. Rapp did not disappoint, giving fans a skipless album that shows her versatile talent. After the release of this project, I am only more excited to attend the BITE ME Tour in Los Angeles. Click here to see if she is coming to a city near you and follow her on all social media for any upcoming announcements. Also, make sure to listen to the live versions of five BITE ME tracks, which were released shortly after the album.

Written By Karlee Skipper

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*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.