Reneé Rapp : BITE ME Review

by Shannon Smith

Reneé Rapp’s BITE ME is a sophomore album that realigns vocal charisma with production choices that finally match her natural intensity. Where 2023’s Snow Angel often paired Rapp’s voice with too much restraint, thin arrangements, and overly safe balladry, BITE ME brings her into a louder, rougher, and more stylized soundscape. This time, the production invites her to push, snarl, and smirk.

The album opens with “Leave Me Alone,” a genre-establishing track that frames the rest of the record: guitar-forward, percussive, and unafraid to let Rapp’s vocals sit hot in the mix. The fuzzed-out guitars and jagged rhythm guitar stabs are reminiscent of early indie rock, but with a clear pop sheen. The arrangement unfolds with no unnecessary ambient padding, giving her phrasing room to breathe.

“Mad” follows with a clean acoustic guitar base and orchestral string accents, gradually layering into a rich pop-rock chorus. Its build is smartly handled: each section introduces new energy without losing the song’s harmonic center. The chorus payoff is emotional, but never oversold, a sign of tasteful arrangement more than just dynamic increase. Structurally, “Mad” follows a classic build–break–build pattern, but the transitions are seamless and emotionally logical.

“Kiss It Kiss It” and “Good Girl” have influence from 80s pop-rock and new wave traditions. Synth pads, chorus-drenched guitars, and compressed drum grooves create a nostalgic frame without leaning into caricature. The hooks are memorable, and the background vocal stacks are precise, delivering propulsion without clutter. “Good Girl” in particular understands pop economy as the bridge arrives on schedule, but it surprises rhythmically, and the chorus returns slightly fuller with each iteration. This is pop writing with architectural intent.

Rapp’s voice is engaging in her interaction with the band and the sonic space. On “Shy,” the tension between Rapp and the band is subtle, but palpable. The contrast between a sultry lyric and a wide-open beat lets the vocal phrasing dictate the song’s energy.

Midway through the record, BITE ME begins to shift gears. “Why Is She Still Here?” is a soul-inspired song with layered organ swells and harmonic turns. The backing remains minimal in parts, just enough to support Rapp’s descending lines and melismatic choices. It’s an intelligent move to vary the album’s shape while still giving Rapp the space to explore tone color and emotional contour.

“At Least I’m Hot” brings a welcome injection of levity and groove. The funk-inspired rhythm section and Rapp’s phrasing establish her dominant energy. The balance of irony and pop sheen works in its favor.

BITE ME is a marked improvement over Snow Angel. It’s more coherent in sonic identity, more aggressive in tone, and more confident in vocal-forward mixing. Rapp’s team understands her strengths better now: she thrives in stylized spaces where performance and production feed off each other. The album doesn’t break genre rules, but it executes them with force, humor, and cohesion. Rapp’s bold presence is now matched by a bolder sound to create a refreshing correction.