Three years after her much-anticipated debut, pop singer/songwriter Bebe Rexha returned with her sophomore effort, 2021's Better Mistakes. Keeping with her usual style, the set features plenty of big bass, dance-friendly anthems that pepper electronic, '90s club bounce, hardened hip-hop, and even a little pop-punk energy into the mix. Although the bulk of Better Mistakes sounds party-appropriate, the depressing lyrics hint at a world of hurt for the artist, laid bare on the introspective, Sia-esque "Sabotage" and the sad "My Dear Love," where Rexha sings "I've got no friends left right now." The highlight title track turns that same pain into a devil-may-care free-for-all as Rexha wonders if she should make her bad choices a little more worthwhile. Guests Travis Barker, Ty Dolla $ign, Trevor Daniel, Lil Uzi Vert, Rick Ross, Pink Sweat$, and Lunay also join the fray, but it's Doja Cat who delivers the biggest standout on the album with the radio hit "Baby, I'm Jealous." There's enough here to warrant a listen, even if the pacing and track arrangement could use some help. The self-deprecation and confessional spirit of Better Mistakes make it an immensely relatable and honest point of view from a pop star, which longtime fans should appreciate. ~ Neil Z. Yeung
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