McKayla Twiggs | WHAT A GIRL WANTS Review

by Bea Willis

There’s a specific kind of discipline that comes from learning to project to the back row of a theater. McKayla Twiggs learned it at seven years old, singing in the Tony-winning musical Once. Now, in her early twenties, she’s applying that same precision to a screen that fits in your palm. On her debut EP WHAT A GIRL WANTS, Twiggs builds on an alter ego of the internet’s attention economy as she learns to conduct the ego and alter ego.

The EP arrives at a cultural moment when pop stardom is increasingly determined by algorithmic fluency rather than traditional industry gatekeeping. Twiggs’ trajectory moved from Broadway child actor to NYU dropout to TikTok-native pop artist, which reads like a case study in post-industrial fame. But WHAT A GIRL WANTS continues her biography with a deliberate theatricality where Broadway-trained vocal discipline meets the chaotic, self-correcting logic of the platform. By framing the “golddigger” archetype as a site of genuine vulnerability, Twiggs turns materialism into a shield against the very internet that demands her authenticity.

“What A Girl Wants” opens with a low-mid buzzing synth that supports Twiggs’ processed vocal sound, establishing the EP’s sonic palette immediately. Her voice sits clear and upfront in the verse. The pre-chorus is supported by vocal harmonies and doubling without overuse of auto-tune, a choice that signals confidence in her actual instrument. The song flows in a dance-floor meets electro-pop manner, with impressive jumps from mid-range to head voice. The chorus widens with layered harmonies to form a strong, memorable drop. Yet the track’s structure reveals the EP’s occasional weakness: a bridge or breakdown section could have added more interest. The songwriting is catchy, but the formula risks repetition without enough variation in textures and production.

“Golddigger” escalates the theatricality. Twiggs’ voice is upfront, warm, flirty, and energetic, sitting in the soundstage with clarity and slight processing via reverb and delay, which is stylistically aligned for alt-pop. The production moves from light synths and electro-pop drum patterns to more activity, developing nicely with subtle additions of instrumental parts. The vocal layering in the chorus comes from doubling and harmonies, and Twiggs moves into her upper register with confidence and full projection at the end of the chorus. The second time through the form, nice vocal background parts build the song. This is where the “alter ego” fully emerges, the bolder, more fabulous version of herself.

“When Did You Get So Hot” marks a turning point. Opening with a lo-fi vocal singing the title line, a steady sixteenth-pulsed synth chord enters before the production shifts to full electro-pop. The melody is catchy, and the ascending line moving to Twiggs’ falsetto on “Oh, you know I can’t” shows genuine vocal skill. The bridge is where the “ha ha ha ha hot” delivery enters, spoken-sung in a breathy, seductive manner with a memorable rhythmic pattern. This bridge is a nice addition to Twiggs’ songwriting, giving her music a flowing and developed sound overall. Here, the alter ego winks at the audience, acknowledging the self-referential nature of her rise.

“In Love With Your Girlfriend” strips back the effects stack for something more intimate. A slow-medium tempo allows samples and synth to swirl in a wider stereo field, anchored by a big synth bass. Twiggs’ vocals are more natural, still with reverb and delay, but less processed than the previous track. Her falsetto is strong, and the second time through, the vocals are colored with a nice call-and-response effect chain, one natural, one processed. The bridge has more effects on Twiggs’ vocals, more flange, matching the mood and energy of the lyrics. This is where the alter ego drops, revealing the emotional core of the EP.

“In?timate” closes the record with a departure into new sonic territory. The production moves more to electro-pop, especially the hi-hat and drums, with synths carrying more reverb and a bass synth adding R&B flavor. Twiggs again sings in her falsetto register, with vocals upfront in the verse and the pre-chorus adding falsetto and more layers with interesting syncopated instrument parts. The chorus is repetitive but catchy enough for electro-pop. The resolution feels slightly too tidy for an artist whose best work lives in the gray area between persona and person.

Across all five tracks, Twiggs demonstrates a vocal range that reflects formal training; this isn’t just TikTok vocal styling. Her ability to effortlessly navigate her registers and sustain falsetto throughout the EP connects back to her Broadway roots, even as the production leans into the glitchy, synthetic euphoria of contemporary pop. The effects serve as emotional signaling: less processing equals more vulnerability; more effects equal heightened performance.

WHAT A GIRL WANTS‘s strongest moments come when Twiggs resists the obvious. Occasionally, the formula repeats without enough variation, particularly on the opener. But these are minor quibbles in a debut that announces a serious artist. Twiggs hasn’t just learned to navigate the algorithm; she’s learning to conduct it. Whether she can sustain that control beyond the debut remains to be seen, but for now, she’s exactly where she wants to be.

Artist: McKayla Twiggs
Album: WHAT A GIRL WANTS
Label: Twiggy

Buy and Stream Links
Release Date: March 20, 2026

About the author

Bea Willis

Author

With an unwavering passion for music that began at the tender age of five, I embarked on a journey of self-expression through the piano, later expanding my repertoire to the guitar and the art of singing. As a seasoned performer in cozy coffee shops and harmonious choir ensembles, I've immersed myself in the diverse tapestry of musical genres, seeking to uncover the intricate qualities that strike a chord within our souls.

Beyond my personal experiences, my journalistic pursuits have led me to explore the stories and inspirations behind the melodies we hold dear. As a music journalist, I aim to delve into the heart of each composition, shedding light on the creative minds that have shaped the soundscape of our lives.

In my downtime, you can find me serenading my loyal canine companion with heartfelt tunes on the guitar or indulging in retail therapy to enhance my ever-growing wardrobe. Songwriting holds a special place in my heart, and I yearn for the day when I can share my creative talents with the world. Until then, my passion for uncovering the emotional power within music continues to drive my insightful reviews and analyses, as I journey through the rich landscape of melodies that move us.