Album Review: "Dirty Blonde" - Bebe Rexha

Ashley Adams
15 minutes ago
6 min read

Creative Direction & Photography: Mia Barnes

Styling: Jordan Kelsey

Hair: Mel Dominguez

MUA & Makeup: Gilbert Soliz, Mac Cosmetics, MAC PRO

Production: Magic Creative Works, @karlibombbomb, Ruslan Kim

Lighting Director: Paul Gilmore

Digital Technician: Michael Cardiello

Production Design: Mallika Rajapakse

Art Director: Ivan Fomin

Talented musician Bebe Rexha has released her fourth and newest studio and visual album "Dirty Blonde".

T R A C K L I S T

Although the New York native and virtuoso started off as the lead vocalist for electronic band Black Cards and a songwriter for other musicians, it wouldn't be too long before Bebe Rexha become a global pop star as a solo artist. Her collaborations have been worldwide hits for more than a decade, as well as singles such as "I'm a Mess" and "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy", and her EPs I Don't Wanna Grow Up and All Your Fault parts 1 and 2. In June 2018, she released her debut album Expectations, and her sophomore record Better Mistakes in May 2021. Her eponymous third album came out in April 2023, and now Dirty Blonde in June 2026.

Hysteria

What better way to start off an album than with an electropop dance track? The opening song of Dirty Blonde combines all the musical styles Rexha has been known for throughout her career, but is still able to put a distinct twist on it with the modern production paired with her strong vocals. The lyrics of "Hysteria" perfectly compliment the synths that energetically wallop around in your headphones, as Rexha sings about partying and meeting someone out that she wants to dance and have fun with. She encourages this person to meet her vibes as the night gets crazier.

Tokyo

The line "kiss from a girl in Tokyo" is the central theme of the second track of Dirty Blonde, "Tokyo", aptly inspired by being kissed by a girl in Tokyo. The nightclub-esque songwriting and production continue from the previous track, with Rexha retelling a night she experienced in the famous, eccentric city, as bass and synths and drums that you would hear in the speakers at a popular club play. The beat drops add to this, and you can imagine the spotlights and smoke machines flashing everywhere with every second of this electronic banger.

New Religion

"New Religion" can be interpreted as an explanation from Rexha as to why she has developed a new sound for her fourth record. She expresses her love for loud music, going out, taking advantage of the dance floor, and how these things bring her joy. She feels like she is where she belongs, in spaces where she can make and listen to dance music and bring back the original purpose clubs had, which was to groove and have fun. The song sonically incorporates "Insomnia" by Faithless, and Rexha adds her own twist that lights up the dance floor she's singing about.
$.H.I.T

The fourth track of Dirty Blonde features another unique combination of different elements. In the choruses of the song, Rexha sings in a high pitch, and then transitions to rapping in the verses; its like she's a feature on her own song. A track like this shows that not all music played at a club is upbeat dance music, but also trap and experimental, depending on the overall vibes and atmosphere. This exploration of nightlife creates a distinct and intriguing concept for Dirty Blonde as an album, further showing Rexha's many skills as an artist.
Çike Çike

As Rexha sings about the journey to a nightclub, the synths of the English and the Gheg variety of Albanian track "Çike Çike" are muffled to sound like hearing music from outside before the bouncer lets you go through the entrance doors. Rexha references her Albanian heritage in the lyrics, production, and visual for this song, incorporating production from "Hou Çike" by West Side Family, a rap group from Albania.
i like you better than me

"i like you better than me" shares the truth of how social media has affected many people when it comes to how they perceive themselves. The culture surrounding it allows people to alter the way they look and appear as picturesque as they want, causing others to envy them and grow insecure, especially since there are many who critize those for not being the "skinniest" or the "prettiest". Rexha sings about how she is experiencing this same thing, and feels bad that she can't let go of these emotions that cause her to not feel good enough.
Drink And A Little Love

The seventh track of Dirty Blonde sounds like the dance remix of a country pop song, but its an original piece by Rexha. A callback to one of her past hits "Meant to Be" featuring Florida Georgia Line, "Drink And A Little Love" starts out acoustic but then continues the bass-heavy, clubbing theme of this record halfway through the track. Rexha writes about how she is taking in all of her current emotional complications with life and expresses her need to take a break and relax, just so she can catch up with everything going on in the world.
One Day

The production of "One Day", although still fueled by the dance genre, does delve more into the pop category, making this song another amazing genre-bending track on Dirty Blonde. Musically choreographed with guitar chords and raw drums, Rexha sings about a former significant other and how this person lost her, whether by breaking up with her or not treating her right. She says that her ex made a big mistake either way, as they had a very good, solid relationship that shouldn't have ended.
Time

"Time" is a culmination of all the sounds and production styles that have been used throughout Dirty Blonde up to this point. It begins as a slow guitar ballad, and transforms into an alt pop song before introducing a trap beat, then closes off with the intense synths of a club song. Supplemented by distinct vocal effects, Rexha reminisces on a past relationship, but then realizes that it wasn't as good as she remembers. She carries regret that they were together, singing lines such as "I wasted all my best years on you".
The Way I Want You

Another assortment of different instruments and vocals are utilized in "The Way I Want You", similarly to its preceding track. Rapping, electric guitar chords, and hyper beats make their own, dignified appearances throughout this song, as emotions caused by unrequited love make their way to the lyrics. The love interest Rexha sings about doesn't return the same feelings and effort to their relationship that she does, making it feel very one-sided. She is in love with her partner, who she says doesn't feel the same way.
Nobody’s There

More cool splicing effects are used to create the party vibe of Dirty Blonde in its eleventh track "Nobody's There". Rexha sings about a girl who follows the beat of her own drum. She doesn't concern herself about those who disagree with her lifestyle and how she chooses to live it, and what she does creatively; she is happy doing what makes her feel happy.
Night Falls

The twelfth track of Dirty Blonde sounds exactly like its title - stars twinkling in the peaceful, dark sky is what you visualize when you listen to the reverberated and isolated synths of "Night Falls". Its like a pop lullaby reflected on a calm sea under the fluorescent glow of the moon. Rexha's vocals echo through the night as she feels left out of love. She longs to be with someone who can be the best person for her, but she feels lonely, and expresses that there is no one to turn to in regards to her love life.
Sad Girls (feat. David Guetta)

Everyone on planet Earth knows "i'm Good (Blue)", Rexha and David Guetta's iconic remix of "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65, and Guetta has joined musical forces with her once again for the final track of Dirty Blonde, "Sad Girls". Known for his upbeat and passionate dance music, Guetta provides the backdrop for this song as Rexha sings about coping with melancholy feelings by dancing, the central theme for this record.

As a very effective storyteller throughout her entire career, Bebe Rexha uses her excellent songwriting skills to make a one-of-a-kind album, incorporating the hardships of life with the freedom that dancing and music provide. The involvement of varying sound effects, singing and production styles, and instrumentation throughout the album shows how musically-diverse she is in every sense of the word. Her vocals on all the tracks of Dirty Blonde are spectacular, and they greatly help convey the emotion of all of the lyrical and musical content.

Written By Ashley Adams

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