Reneé Rapp has become renowned for her insane theatrical vocals from her previous stint in Broadway playing Regina George in Mean Girls, which she has brought with her into the music industry. With Reneé’s first album, Snow Angel, being the perfect combination of raw, authentic and heartbreaking tracks (‘Snow Angel’, ‘The Wedding Song’, ‘I Wish’) alongside confident, brutally honest and undeniably funny tracks (‘Poison, Poison’, ‘Tummy Hurts’) – it’s no surprise that her second album follows in its footsteps.
BITE ME, which was released on August 1st, is a sensational display of Reneé’s powerful vocals and an exploration of her queer identity. The album, which runs for just over 30 minutes, is a fearless, honest and refreshing addition to the music industry, matching Reneé’s personality. Her first single from the album, ‘Leave Me Alone’, was a fun and enticing introduction, with the opening lyrics “I’m a real bad girl but a real good kisser”. The track perfectly shows listeners that the album is a playful and risky departure from her debut album, with lyrics “sign a hundred NDAs, but I still say something” displaying her rebellion and fearless attitude towards the industry. Her second single, ‘Mad’, sets a similar but more angsty tone through its powerful production and rage fuelled lyrics including “all of the time you wasted being mad / we could’ve been cute and we could’ve been stupid”. Her third single, ‘Why is She Still Here?’, however, is a showcase of Reneé’s sensational vocals and bold exploration of her emotions. The three singles create a perfect introduction to the album, with her emotionally performed lyrics being just as important as her light-hearted ones.
The eighth track on her album, ‘Shy’, written for her girlfriend, Towa Bird, has become an instant favourite by fans. The lyrics “baby ruin my life” also set the tone for the album, with her unapologetic and emotionally driven lyrics being ever present.‘Shy’ fits with the more upbeat aspects of her music, with its quick shift from the playful verses to the attention grabbing chorus. The toxicity of the song is addictive as a listener, with the repeated “don’t handle me with care / when you’re pullin’ my hair / baby, ruin my life” creating a catchy but powerful chorus. Elsewhere, ‘Sometimes’ and ‘That’s So Funny’ demonstrate her talent for slow but hard hitting songs, with them both allowing fans to see her vulnerability and insecurity as well as her confidence. The album successfully displays Reneé’s stylistic versatility, showcasing her powerful vocals and having tendencies to move towards the R&B genre on certain tracks, much like her previous ‘Tummy Hurts’.
With Reneé having come out as a lesbian since her previous album and began her first public relationship, the focus of her songs have experienced a shift in tone. BITE ME delves into her experiences with queer love and her sexual identity, providing the queer community with an inclusive and representative album. Track nine ‘At Least I’m Hot’ even includes a cameo from Towa, with the lyrics “damn, but you look so fit / well, I can guarantee that”, once again portraying the album’s confidence and showcasing her relationship. Another track oozing with the same confident tone is ‘Kiss It, Kiss It’ at track five, with the focus once again being on her relationship and her unapologetic pride in her identity. Her sass and unmatched confidence has become a staple in her music, creating a refreshing addition to the industry.
BITE ME is a masterclass in passionate authenticity, with Reneé constantly expressing self-acceptance and defying social expectations. The album is a vulnerable and intimate departure from her Broadway career, whilst simultaneously demonstrating her outstanding vocal range.
Words by Ella Clarke
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