Reneé Rapp | BITE ME Review

by Bea Willis

Reneé Rapp’s BITE ME arrives with a twelve-song set of brash, emotional, unapologetically loud, and vocally fearless selections. If her debut album Snow Angel flirted with restraint, this follow-up kicks the doors open with a theatrical snarl. Rapp sings these songs with passion, weaponizing her voice as a conduit for rage, lust, heartbreak, and unfiltered joy. Her singing is characterized by dramatic delivery and control within chaos.

The album’s opener, “Leave Me Alone,” sets the tone with a drawling one-liner: “I’m a real bad girl, but a real good kisser.” Rapp leans into her lower register here with casual bravado, her phrasing laced with irritation and flair. As the fuzzy synths swell behind her, she maintains a grounded vocal posture that is steady, centered, and emotionally locked in. The tone is conversational but controlled, and by the chorus, she’s pushed into an agile belt that retains its clarity even as the sonic energy thickens. There’s a slight rasp on the top that feels unfiltered, but never unsupported.

“Mad” showcases a different kind of vocal restraint and emotional shading. The rhythmic structure of the melody gives Rapp a playful lattice to work against, teasing the beat with glissandos, stretching out phrases for emotional emphasis. She never oversings the verse, opting instead for an intimate tone that swells naturally into the chorus. There’s breath support behind every phrase, allowing her to stay in character while maintaining pitch integrity and dynamic arc. And while the lyric sounds like a modern breakup lament, her performance brings the melodrama of a felt experience.

The spoken-word bridge in “Shy” gives another side of Rapp, as she drops into a sultry whisper, showing she has vocal fry and innuendo that can rocket back into a sexually charged belt without losing center. The play between head voice and chest, whisper and wail, illustrates her precision as much as her nerve. What makes “Shy” work is her agility and vocal commitment. She doesn’t sing these lines like she’s trying to impress anyone. She sings them like they’re part of her body.

That same fearlessness shows up again on “Good Girl,” a blend of 80s synth-pop with modern edge. The phrasing is clipped and punchy, riding the groove with pinpoint articulation. Her vocal harmonies are layered with intention, never too thick, never muddy, and the chorus has the kind of rhythmic propulsion that would collapse without a strong lead. Rapp delivers with surgical timing, maintaining both character and clarity.

Even when the lyrics are borderline silly, like the cheeky self-anthem “At Least I’m Hot,” Rapp never phones it in. Her tone remains centered and warm, the phrasing playful but technically clean. She doesn’t just rely on studio effects to carry a joke or a hook; she uses dynamics, tone shifts, and inflection to sell every line. The vibrato is controlled. The glissandos are intentional. And the breath work? Subtle but impeccable.

“Why Is She Still Here?” offers a soul-drenched ballad of nuance, tension, and emotional depth. Her tone here is shaded with Winehouse-like grit, but never imitative. She finds a darker resonance in her midrange, allowing the lyric’s jealousy and confusion to bleed into each note. There’s a moment just before the final chorus where her voice almost cracks, not from lack of technique, but from a deliberate loosening of emotional control.

To be sure, BITE ME isn’t a perfect album. The back half occasionally slips into more generic alt-pop territory, and a few of the slower tracks, like “That’s So Funny,” lose the vocal momentum established earlier. But even in those moments, Rapp never disengages vocally. She remains present, brassy, and always emotionally legible.

Where Snow Angel felt like an introduction to a promising voice, BITE ME is the arrival of an artist who understands her vocal power and isn’t afraid to wield it with audacity. Rapp aims for impact, and whether she’s whispering sweet threats, belting revenge fantasies, or layering harmonies like a sly studio engineer, she brings a performer’s discipline and a vocalist’s intuition to every phrase. BITE ME isn’t flawless, but Rapp’s dynamic, stylized sound will flow with the top icons in the genre.

Artist: Reneé Rapp
Album: BITE ME
Label: Interscope Records

Release Date: August 1, 2025

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.