Bebe Rexha – Expectations

Review

Bebe Rexha emerges from the collaborative shadows to cast her own glittering light with "Expectations," her first solo venture into the album world. Released in the balmy days of summer 2018, this eclectic mix of pop anthems, country twangs, and electronic beats signifies Rexha's full-fledged leap into the musical mosaic that defines her artistry. Catchy choruses? Check. Emotion-loaded verse? Double-check. With "Expectations," Rexha is like the cool aunt at the family BBQ who doesn’t just bring a salad; she brings the entire dessert table—complete with a spinning cake stand of melodious treats.

The album does more than just dip its toes into the thematic pool of love woes and the quest for self-acceptance; it dives in headfirst with the buoyant success of its lead single, “I’m a Mess.” Keep in mind, while the album might sometimes waltz dangerously close to the edge of lyrical predictability, Rexha’s delivery lunges to catch it every time, pulling it back with the robust safety net of her vocal range. Critics have given nods to her sound, even if with a nudge about originality in some tracks. With a debut at a lucky number thirteen on the Billboard 200, it seems that Bebe Rexha’s "Expectations" left listeners wanting more and wondering, what's next? - Chloe