Tinashe’s latest release, “Popstar,” is a refreshing display of versatility and narrative adeptness that challenges the status quo of popular music that defines the current generation of industry creatives.
In this album, it’s clear that Tinashe has a lot to say. “Popstar” is a deeply reflective piece for the singer, who, since debuting as an artist in 2014, has had a career of ups and downs. This album features Tinashe’s signature fusion of elements from R&B, pop and hip-hop, but plays with exciting textures and edits throughout each track. Underlying this album’s innovative production and instrumentals is a fascinating exploration of escapism, romance and visibility — truly the life of a popstar.
This 16-track album, including two interludes, shares everything there is to know about pursuing life in the spotlight.
“Sunglasses” 9/10
Tinashe’s opening track sets high expectations. The dreamy synth that accompanies what sounds like marbles dropping down a staircase makes for a satisfyingly glitchy hook ahead of Tinashe’s first lines. The lyrical narrative portrays the sense of removal from the world that Tinashe experiences when she is immersed in her music. She further affirms the sanctity of music in her life by saying, “Speakers so loud, music my religion.”
“Too Easy” 8/10
This second track is nothing short of a club classic in the making. From the wacky beats in the background to the “la, la, la, la, la, la” ad-lib, there is no absence of fun in this song. Tinashe goes in on doubters with the lyrics of this song, telling them that if they’re mad, they should “go to therapy.” All in all, “Too Easy” is a song that radiates Tinashe’s sense of authenticity.
“Melatonin” 9.5/10
Of all of the tracks on “Popstar” so far, “Melatonin”’s production is the most striking. The static texture that opens the track is a bit freaky, but nonetheless enjoyable. “Melatonin” is an energetic track, with unique soundbites and the seamless synthesis of different elements. Lyrically, it seems that Tinashe is voicing frustration: “Sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on me b–tch, you so melatonin.” A popstar doesn’t want to be underrated — they want to be acknowledged.
“Empty Stadium” 8/10
With eerie synthesis underscoring the haunting lyrics of the song, Tinashe drops the confident air of “Melatonin” and begins to descend into an increasingly vulnerable state. This track is direct — Tinashe talks about a dream that she had which caused her distress. It’s a song about being in such close proximity to one’s aspirations but still falling short of them. For Tinashe, this fear manifests in the feeling that despite the hard work she has invested in her career, there is minimal recognition for it and no escape from the reality of failure.
“Flashbacks” 7.5/10
Coming off of the sobering theme of the previous song, this track’s hesitant melody and slow tempo signify another sad song, but Tinashe steers the story in another direction. Rather than being another reflective piece, “Flashbacks” takes on a more intimate matter. The subject of this song is young love; it’s weird, funny and not too demanding.
“Overdramatic” 8/10
This is the first interlude of the album, and already Tinashe is flaunting how unafraid she is of experimentation in this album. The smooth instrumentation combined with Tinashe’s background vocals makes this interlude a complete dreamscape.
“I’d Rather Be Alone” 9/10
The seventh track on this album is a groovy R&B ballad that puts Tinashe’s vocal ability on full display. The song centers on a realization about a relationship Tinashe had been holding on to. “Potential’s just potential and love is not pleasure,” she sings. In spite of its quiet delivery, this line’s meaning is resounding; the singer’s fixation won’t grow to become the person she needs or wants them to be, and even though she feels pleasure with them, it is not indicative of a lasting, healthy love.
“Crash Out” 8/10
Tinashe continues to switch up the genre of the album in this track as well. “Crash Out” features a traditional hip-hop style beat and ad-libs with a bass that pulses throughout the song. This song also expands the scope of the album — it’s Tinashe’s two cents on the state of the world right now. She references the area she grew up in, Los Angeles, and its overtly competitive nature that produces individuals who hate from the sideline.
“Pillow Fight” 9/10
The title is as equally playful as the instrumentation and lyrics of this song. The bass takes center stage on this track, and Tinashe’s witty lyricism tiptoes coyly around the topic of sex, making the two minute and 21 second track an all-around enjoyable listen.
“Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore” 8.5/10
Tinashe determinedly takes on real topics that she cares about throughout this album. This time, she’s talking about the alleged lack of dancing in modern party culture. Lyricism isn’t the core focus on this track; rather, Tinashe wants listeners to get up and clap their hands, and maybe bring out a few dance moves.
“Twentyfive Eight” 9/10
This song is an existential reflection for Tinashe, who asks, “Where do the minutes all go when you only got one life, one life?” She talks further about what makes her work even harder, and the pressure she works through.
“The Show Must Go On” 7/10
This song is a short 20 second interlude that repeats the word “popstar” and leads into the title track of the album.
“Popstar” 9.5/10
“Don’t fall in love with a popstar,” is the first reverberating line of the track, and eventually, this reveals itself to be a warning. “Popstar” is a letter to Tinashe’s past self where she reminisces about the vivid aspirations with which she began and shares her own words of wisdom: With every romanticized aspect of the Hollywood or popstar lifestyle, there’s an equal amount of underlying hardship as well.
“Brainrot” 8/10
Such an unserious title may create some skepticism about the song’s quality, but Tinashe’s use of internet slang in this track is far from overbearing. Once again, Tinashe explores escapism; this time in getting away from the messiness of the people around her who show her “fake love.” As opposed to “Crash Out,” Tinashe uses this song to portray a state of unbotheredness: “Brainrot / I’m nothing but numb,” shutting out all of the hate.
“Cloud 9” 8/10
This song is upbeat in all of the best ways. Although the transition between this and “Brainrot” is a bit blocky production-wise, the song as a standalone is smooth-sailing. It’s energetic, refreshing and joyful. Tinashe exudes hope for a newly blossoming romance with a lover who takes her to cloud nine.
“Heavy Weight” 8/10
Tinashe finishes off her album with the rawest track yet. This track features a simple acoustic melody, with distinctly vulnerable lyrics. Clearer than ever, in this eldest daughter anthem, Tinashe lays out her insecurities in song, sharing with her audience the weight that has been holding her down. It’s a weight she can’t seem to let go of, for she doesn’t have the strength.
“Popstar” is an experimental refresh in today’s music scene. Tinashe’s genuine talent for production and genre synthesis shines through this work, and it’s an album like no other at this point in time. From her debut in 2014 with her “Aquarius” album, Tinashe has taken big strides, and this album shows it. Compared to her peers in the industry right now, Tinashe has no fear of breaking barriers as an artist. She experiments, blends and curates narratives with absolute clarity.
This article was edited by Mina O’Dell, Jessica Ackerman and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Arin Burrell and Rena Jalon.
