The internet has become such an interconnected aspect of the music industry. Every artist has their own TikTok or Instagram and stays connected with fans through social media in some way. In 2007 that wasn’t nearly as common. Back then, the age of Vlogging was at an all-time high, and our girl Tessa was making waves on the then-brand-new website, YouTube. She was known as Meekakitty then and connected with fans daily through this site for years. Now she rocks stages globally and has gone viral countless times for her unique sound. She is Tessa Violet, the Bad Bitch with the Yellow Hair.
Following a long four-year stint Tessa Violet has finally made her return with the technicolor LP MY GOD! The record is filled to the brim with glossy instrumentals and exaggerated concepts that show major growth from Violet. This album follows the major success of Bad Ideas. Bad Ideas put Violet in the limelight with the viral track Crush this album, MY GOD! This is proof Tessa Violet is here to stay and is growing into her sound with each passing day.
BAD BITCH
The album opens with the twinkly anthemic track BAD BITCH. This track is all about Tessa Violet's new found confidence. She is unapologetically living as herself and loving every second of it. The record is incredibly infectious; with its use of melodic xylophone mingling with the blasting bass. Tessa has always been able to meld her high vocal tones with complex production in a way that sounds like they're meant for each other. BAD BITCH is not different. The bridge of this track features 8-bit vocals that mimic the eclectic sounds of hyperpop. Then shifts back into her original sound but keeps the intensity through the final chorus. The lyrics demonstrate a sense of personal empowerment that Tessa has found in her career. This personal growth is shining all over this album but especially in BAD BITCH.
MY GOD!
We take a shift to a softer side of the album with Tessa’s sexuality-liberated track MY GOD! The namesake of the LP. This bubbly pop record covers the sensual side of Violet. Discovering and exploring her sexuality while using a tongue-in-cheek reference to religion throughout the pre-chorus and chorus. Likening her sexual urges to heaven and angels she is painting a steamy image of what she is craving while singing in sweet tones that could make you forget the eroticism of the lyrics. MY GOD! Mixes gentle femininity with raw sexual desire in a way that many can relate to. Violet exudes power and sexuality on this colorful track and her authentic vocals make anyone who is listening feel similar feelings.
Play With Fire
Following the sexuality of the prior song Play With Fire has similar undertones. In it, Tessa details her want for one person even though they might be a bit bad for you. Maybe it just isn't the right time for you to be together or the passion between them is too intense. Whatever it is, Tessa can’t get away from the person but she likes it this way. The song has a similar sonic feel to MY GOD! As well as taking on a softer approach with simple guitar and kick drum. There are interesting aspects of the track however, a kazoo-sounding synth makes regular appearances that accent the chorus creating a more dynamic listening experience. The track is adorable, mixing the excitement of crushes and sexuality. It has clear influences from the aesthetics of teenage bedroom pop. Love is always written about but Play With Fire has an edge that cannot be ignored.
Kitchen Song
Slipping out of Play With Fire and directly into Kitchen Song is like watching a relationship grow. From the seeds of a crush to the blossoming love of a long-lasting relationship Kitchen Song is an anthemic love song. The track is a celebration of domestic love; Something that isn't written about often. Falling in love is just the first step to wanting to spend the rest of your life with someone and enjoying the little things is just as beautiful as the honeymoon stage and Violet is paying homage to that cozy feeling of domesticity. The track is overflowing with chorus vocals and folk-pop elements. The instrumental does much of the work in inventing this cheerful and warm soundscape. Tessa is no stranger to love, Kitchen Song has a sense of adoration that is just full of fun and sweet, sweet melodies.
YES MOM
This track was ALL OVER Tiktok not too long ago. And with good reason, the track is a banger that refers to Violet's mom and the power that gives Tessa the confidence to be bold in her personality. The track did its job by inspiring troves of people to use the sound for an outfit and make-up transitions as well as just lip-synching to it giving their best bad bitch energy as well. Rolling snare and vigorous bass cracks give this track major intensity. The track only slows down during the bridge where it lifts an orchestral element with Violet's nearly isolated vocals only to crash back into a seductive mix of the orchestral and the dark elements of the former instrumental. YES MOM is a battle cry for anyone who wants to live in their confidence and know they probably live in a few minds rent-free. This track is influenced heavily by Violet's recent breakup. Needing to fall back in love with yourself post-breakup and realize you are stronger than ever you'll continue to love yourself and grow but it comes with practice and growth. Thus the finishing line is ‘I love me, I love me’.
Again, Again/Good Things Go Bad
Again, Again is one of the slower tracks on this album. This song has a more somber tone to it taking a step away from the energy and grandeur of the previous songs to show more raw emotion. The bitter-sweet track follows Tessa through her realizing her relationship might be ending but she is still holding onto it. Looking back at all the good times and wishing for those same feelings to return and to be happy again with her partner. Good Things Go Bad follows the same narrative but the acceptance stage of a breakup. The moment you realize it really is over and there isn't anything that can be done. Violet exists in her sadness fully aware of the pain this breakup has caused and willing to acknowledge her feelings despite it not helping much. These tracking being next to each other on the album is important because they connect beautifully., illustrating the stages of a breakup and entering an intensity towards the end that helps you out of that sorrowful feeling.
Breakdown
Breakdown is where Tessa begins to pull herself out of her funk and the instrumental picks up with her mood. Having a breakdown and destroying everything is extremely cathartic and helps Violet finish out the pain of her breakup on a high note. Breakdown sounds like making a mess and releasing pent-up emotion in the best way possible. Meeting in the middle between pain and aggression to create an intense song perfect for letting go of pent-up feelings.
When The Curtain Falls
When The Curtain Falls takes an emotional look at Tessa’s life and how even though she has fame it seems she's still lonely after everything she's been through the self-confidence and the love she feels from her fans she still feels as though there's no one there for her. She's falling into a sadness again but this time it's a familiar one. The track is showing off her true vulnerability rather than the manufactured vulnerability that is often shown through sexuality in the industry. She captures these emotions in the subtlety of a piano and strings combo that accompanies her voice throughout the track.
Song Without A Title /I Don't Know Who I Am Without You
Tessa revisits her past relationship. She is still hurt but is reflecting on how things ended and how badly she misses the warmth of her relationship. This track is following the current trend of mixing pop with punk elements and it does it well. The bridge into the chorus has this distorted breakdown with Violet's vocals screaming over the loud and intense instrumental. Using this to express the power behind her raw emotions. I Don't Know Who I Am Without You follows suit with the rest of these tracks but with a more upbeat instrumental. The instrumental has a disco-esque sound that tricks the listener into wanting to dance before noticing the melancholic lyrics trailing over it. She is learning to love herself again and it is a long journey to getting back to herself.
You Are Not My Friend
The closing track has a pop-punk sound to it that gives angst and anger. Tessa is finally starting to pick herself up and realize the relationship isn’t worth crying over. This person is trying to come back to her but she's already moved on. She finally looking after herself and feeling closer to who she once was. Relief is so sweet in this track and it's so good to finally see Tessa get to this point.
MY GOD! Is an album chocked full of emotion. From self-discovery to self-doubt, Tessa Violet explores everything on this album and helps herself grow through it. The production is immaculate giving each track a full and lively vibe while still keeping the vocals intact and beautiful. Aspects of the album dabble in religious imagery that serves as a metaphor for self-acceptance, confidence, and sexuality. MY GOD! Is a reflection of Violet's career and the aspects of herself that she has learned to love. The first half of the album feels like a mask Tessa is wearing. We hear all about how confident and brutal she is during the first couple of songs but after YES MOM it is an entirely different story. Every song after YES MOM is emotional and gives insight into the deep pain Tessa was feeling while writing this album. Though in her day to day, she may feel good and even feel confident on the inside she still needs love and to feel wanted. This is the most relatable thing about this album.
Written By Kaiana Lee
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
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