Review: Reneé Rapp - BITE ME Album
- Magda Kanecka
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
By Magda Kanecka I august 2025
Reneé Rapp is back and better, more confident, rawer and more versatile, than ever!
When I first heard the lead singles, "Leave Me Alone" and "Mad", upon their release, I knew this album was going to be one to remember. Both of the singles are catchy, memorable, with catchy hooks and emotional punches, and are very representative of Reneé Rapp’s crisp sound as an artist.
As someone who got into Reneé’s music fairly recently, upon her role as Regina George in the 2024 “Mean Girls” adaptation directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., I came into this album with curiosity and high expectations. Fortunately, BITE ME doesn’t just meet them – it exceeds them.
A Showcase of Vocal Power and Emotional Range
I love the variety that BITE ME showcases in its vocal agility and emotional nuance the most. The notable highlights, to me, in terms of vocals, are in “At Least I’m Hot”, with, in true Reneé Rapp style, showcases rapidly paced rhythmic vocals at the start of the chorus that convey sass and urgency, which makes me wonder what the song would sound like in its live version. The instrumental is fun, the vocals are fun; what’s not to love?
In terms of notable vocals, another standout to me is “Good Girl”. I love the slower bridge and the background vocals towards the end of the track, with the contrasting high notes really hitting Reneé’s range. “Why Is She Still Here?” is another example of this, starting slower and rapidly picking up around the chorus to obtain the ultimate effect. I am such a big fan of Reneé Rapp’s voice on this album, and while listening, I only found myself wishing for the tracks to be longer so I could keep on listening.
The same could be said about one of my favourites, the effortlessly bold “Kiss It Kiss It”, which immediately got stuck in my head with the title line. “Shy” made me turn back and replay it immediately upon first hearing the album, and I love how it starts slightly slower in terms of its pace, and then picks up around the chorus. The guitar progression in this song is spectacular to me – and on the topic of guitar layering, the acoustic strings in “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone” pair very well with Reneé’s voice and the lyrics of melancholia, sentiment, and uncertainty in times of loss.
Variety and Vulnerability
BITE ME is so compelling because it perfectly contrasts emotional and sonic variety. The slower tracks, “Sometimes”, “I Can’t Have You Around Me Anymore” (another one of my favourites) and “That’s So Funny”, stand out the most in terms of vocal expression and range paired with emotional vulnerability.
The lyrical themes and their executions showcase a range of authenticity, honesty, and self-reflection, relationship problems and heartbreak, seeking to be better within each situation, while acknowledging the problems.
As a fellow member of the LGBTQ+ community, I find Reneé’s presence and openness in queer representation so powerful and affirming. Her ability to translate her identity into art feels both authentic and needed, offering visibility in spaces which often still require it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this album is the epitome of pop music that Reneé Rapp continues to excel in as she evolves. It is polished in its production and deeply heartfelt in its delivery. Reneé Rapp continues to prove to her audience that she is a growing storyteller with a memorable voice that catches the listener’s attention.
Lyrically, it expresses the themes of problems within romantic relationships, friendships, and the conflicts, insecurities and disappointments within – while also honouring her identity and self-empowerment. I particularly love “You’d Like That Wouldn’t You” as the closing track, and the song itself is one of my top three, capturing what it means to be both messy and caught up all at once.
The BITE ME Tour commences in September this year, and Reneé Rapp is certainly an artist to look out for within this generation.
Magda’s Top Five:
Shy – excellent built up to the chorus, fun bridge, just an overall perfectly crafted pop song!
You’d Like That Wouldn’t You – such a perfect album closer, rapid chorus, great guitars, almost touching on pop-punky notes.
Kiss It Kiss It – catchy chorus, fast-paced right from the start of the song, will make you wish the song was longer!
Good Girl – feels kind of nostalgic in its verses and lyrics, amazing vocals in the chorus and even more so in the bridge.
I Can’t Have You Around Me Anymore – vulnerable, tender, on the slower side, with great lyrics and acoustic instrumentals.
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