Betty Who is shaping up to have another incredible album cycle. With her self-titled EP from last summer, Who reestablished her sound and herself as a force to be reckoned with without the industry machine backing her up. Now she’s hitting the ground running in the new year for her (also self-titled) third record with the upbeat “I Remember.”
“I Remember” sees Who continuing her departure from the maximalism of her past in favor of a more stripped and subversive pop sound. But make no mistake, the music still bops! The song possesses a hollow beat and twinkles with synth flourishes to push the listener to fill the space with their dancing. It never really reaches any kind of climax, just basking in the joy of it all. Pairing itself well with the lyrics of the song, Who details an imperfect relationship that doesn’t always feel worth the trouble; despite it all, she celebrates their love for all the messiness it has presented to them.
In the lead-up to Betty, “I Remember” provides a nice juxtaposition from previous single “Between You & Me.” While the latter is a plucky, mid-tempo gem with lyrics describing the will-they-or-won’t-they feeling we all endure at the beginning of a relationship, the former finds Who mulling over the reasons to remain with her partner over a subtle dance beat. The two songs show off the thematic and sonic range the singer possesses and will undoubtedly stretch with the new record, and I can’t wait to witness it!
Rating: 4/5