Rebecca Black is All Grown Up; And Still Having Fun -

By Tim McGuire

Rebecca Black may sound like a familiar name to anyone who grew up during the rise of the internet, especially if you take into account her infamous single “Friday.” 14 years ago, Black was introduced to the world when she earwormed into everyone’s subconscious about how everyone has to get down on Friday. Nowadays, she has become a fully fledged popstar with a small-yet-mighty fanbase. Her first full length album from 2023, Let Her Burn, sported the growing hyperpop sound, and she continues that route today on SALVATION. Many artists tend to outdo their older works and Rebecca Black is one of the strongest examples of this.

SALVATION packs a serious punch as soon as it starts, with the production mixing elements of eurodance and American club music to create undeniable bangers. This sound makes the instrumentals the clear highlight of the project, though it would be hard for anyone to sit still while listening to the thumping bass and electrifying synthesizers. The strongest example of this can be found in the opener, “Salvation.” The introductory track gets the listener prepared for what’s to come, whether they’re early or late to the Rebecca Black party.

While the production is a huge highlight, Rebecca Black herself gives good performances vocally and lyrically. Her airy vocals glide over the songs while also giving into the relentless fun of it all. This can be best experienced on “TRUST!” with catchy chanted verses and a light chorus, singing passionately about giving love to her lover. Her voice is a great fit for the style of music she has pursued, emulating the dance of the pop divas–akin to Lady Gaga or Ke$ha–that came before her. It is unfortunate that the backing instrumental tends to overshadow her, but it’s far from being bad.

If there are any cons to this short and sweet project, it would lie in the lyrical value. Giving a story or a piece of yourself in such a short runtime and track list is reasonably difficult. However, there is still some connection desired between Rebecca and her listeners. She does dish out some good analogies, like “Tears In My Pocket” or “Sugar Water Cyanide,” but this tends to be the height of complexities in the lyrics. Most songs feature Rebecca talking to either a current or past lover, so there is a lack of diverse topics as well. Nevertheless, this issue is not a hurdle that will stop enjoyment of the album but rather something to observe from a critical standpoint.

Despite the short runtime of 20 minutes, Rebecca Black packs a serious punch on SALVATION, making it hard to believe this was the same girl so many people on the internet hated over a decade ago. Anyone who made fun of her for looking forward to the weekend certainly won’t be laughing now. Instead, they will be too busy jamming out with Rebecca’s infectious energy! While the length of the album leaves more content to be desired, it is better than having a 40-minute album with a killer first half and a boring last half.