‘BITE ME’ kicks off with its lead single ‘Leave Me Alone’, the track that’s already become iconic for this new era, with performances at Capital Summer Time Ball and American Music Award taking over the internet. It’s the perfect introduction to Reneé’s second album; although it distances itself from ‘Snow Angel’, it encapsulates the real Reneé as her most authentic self.
‘Mad’ and ‘Why Is She Still Here?’ were next for fans to become obsessed with. ‘Mad’ is a relatable and angry track surrounding a failed relationship that wasted time. It has a strong rocky sound with a confrontational tone. As Reneé’s vocals in the chorus soar with “Hey, you” as the opener, she’s talking directly to the past partner. Expressing how they could’ve been having fun together instead of “being mad”.
‘Why Is She Still Here?’ Has an immediately contrasting mood, its heavy baseline starts instantly, accompanied by the bold opening line “You can tell me you don’t love her / But you should probably tell her too”. It’s an honest song about still feeling traces of another woman and being loved in private but hidden in public. There’s a mix of desire that she yearns for but also anger through the lyrics “I didn’t say shit when you introduced me as your friend / And yes that’s what it is, but don’t you do that shit again”. Unlike the previous track, ‘Sometimes’ explores the same situation but from a different angle. What unfolds is a poignant piano ballad that’s full of feeling. Both tracks explore the reality of sapphic relationships, how confusing it can be when the lines between friendships and more are blurred, the uncertainty of feelings and not being committed to.
Without any warning ‘Kiss It Kiss It’ propels into a rhythmically infectious track that compels you to dance. Vulgar in the best way possible, it fully embraces Reneé’s sexuality for the first time since she came out as a lesbian. With full support from her fans behind her, she’s found her community that absolutely adore her and her word play, the line “I think we almost made a baby / I mean, we can’t, but we came so close” making their jaws drop. Its sensual and euphoric nature is represented in both its lyrics and its groovy retro sound. What follows is the epitome of a good pop song, ’Good Girl’ is the idea of going from calm to chaotic when a certain person is around, with a catchy chorus all about being on your best behaviour.
As well as mastering upbeat confident songs, Reneé produces beautiful stripped back tracks like ’I Can’t Have You Around Me Anymore’. It battles with the internal uncertainty and guilt of growing close to someone whilst being in a relationship with someone else. Her clarity about the situation is wrapped in her sadness of knowing she has to let this person go. Later in the album realisations unfold over an acoustic guitar on ‘I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone’. With delicate whispered vocals it’s the quiet confession of not missing your partner when they’re not around, despite knowing you should. ‘That’s So Funny’ opens with a gentle piano, its slow tempo contrasting with its sarcastic title. While the lyrics explore the pain of betrayal, Reneé’s delivery holds a sense of acceptance, apart from in the last chorus, which, as it builds, explodes into anger, summed up by the line “Took my love, twisted into a / “Fuck you”. All of these tracks allow Reneé to embrace subtly in her performances, rather than her more theatrical sound fans are used to.
Starting out as a ballad, ’Shy’ had the biggest transformation during the writing process. Confirmed to be about Reneé’s girlfriend, Towa Bird, she opens up about her feelings before they got together. Whilst most of it reflects being smitten and nervous, the bridge definitely contradicts this. Taking an energetic and cheerleader-like chant approach it stands out for more than just its playful lyrics. Towa even cameos on the next song, ‘At Least I’m Hot’, an empowering and attitude-filled track. The chorus leading with “But if I can’t be happy, then at least I’m hot” puts to bed any lingering sadness, with talk-sung verses and a disco pop instrumental, it’s the ideal feel-good song.
Explosively ending her sophomore album, ‘You’d Like That Wouldn’t You’ has Reneé’s signature carefree sass and confidence backed by rocky guitars. Directed at a past partner, it comments on how they want Reneé to be miserable without them and not move on, but she admits in the bridge, “The thought of gettin’ back together / Makes me wanna die alone”. She mocks the idea the whole way through, even confessing to cheating in a lyric that has got fans hooked due to its delivery, “And I swear that I would never, ever, ever cheat, / Again”. Despite its controversy, it’s deemed to be an iconic line that is destined to be screamed at her upcoming tour.
‘BITE ME’ is genre-blurring at its finest, mixing typical pop tunes with more R&B and rock. Together it works flawlessly to represent who Reneé Rapp is.