Reneé Rapp has become known for delivering emotionally charged and powerfully executed tunes, and this time round is no different.
The American singer-songwriter has just released her brand new single, ‘Why Is She Still Here?’, serving as yet another teaser of her upcoming album, Bite Me, set for release on 1 August via Interscope Records. This new era is set to be fearless, authentic and infused with magnetic personality.
The song is short, at just two-and-a-half minutes, but impactful, leaving fans itching for more as the release of her full studio album inches ever closer. It’s an unapologetic tune which takes aim at her partner, who may have some lingering feelings for a past love: “You can tell me you don’t love her / But you should probably tell her too”.
The track opens with a moody and somber atmosphere, infused with elements of R&B which draw you in. This makes the emotional intensity of the later verses hit harder, as you are exposed to pure, raw emotion captured by her powerful voice: “I need you to myself tonight / Why’s she still here? / What else more do you need? / When you got me right here”.
It acts as an honest exploration of insecurity and betrayal, which permeate the lyrics: “No, I didn’t say shit when you introduced me as your friend (Uh-huh) / And yes, that’s what it is, but don’t you do that shit again / It’s funny ‘cause it didn’t feel like friends on the kitchen floor, no / I don’t take friends to the back of my tour bus”. This gut-wrenching verse offers an insight into her stripped back vulnerability, captured beautifully in the melody. On first listen, many fans were stunned by her hard-hitting words and compelling vocals, with one fan calling the track a ‘masterpiece’, as they gear up for her album release.
‘Why Is She Still Here?’ delivers on unfiltered emotion and quiet agony, as Rapp navigates a seemingly toxic situation that got her “lowering standards”. It is a subtle shift from her previous single, ‘Leave Me Alone’, which was a more upbeat and punchy track. Similarly though, the track had fans floored by the boldness of her lyrics. The interchanging dynamics in her lead singles is a sign of Rapp’s extensive range which are sure to be explored further in her highly anticipated album.
Bite Me is expected to be a confrontational and introspective album, blending heartfelt emotion with bold defiance. If the forthcoming tracks are anything like the lead singles, the album is set to solidify Rapp as a vocal powerhouse with passionate lyricism.
Words by Emma Mahon
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.