Album Review: Rebecca Black – SALVATION
2 min read
Rebecca Black’s career trajectory is something musicologists should seriously study—it’s one of the most diverse and ever-evolving in modern pop. From Friday, which has that cult-like, so-bad-it’s-good appeal (kind of like The Room by Tommy Wiseau), to her unexpected but genuinely impressive dive into hyperpop and EDM, she’s consistently reinvented herself. With SALVATION , following Let Her Burn, she’s fully cemented that transformation. Back in 2012, she might have felt like the cringier, yet lovable, cousin of Carly Rae Jepsen, but now? She’s assumed a similar role in relation to Charli XCX—experimental, daring, and undeniably cool.
At 27, Black has completely shed the novelty status that defined her early career. SALVATION is bold and defiant, tackling themes of empowerment, resilience, and transformation. The title track immediately sets the tone with pulsing acid-house beats and a declarative chorus: “I don’t need you to save me, I already saved myself.” It’s the perfect mantra for an artist who has spent years proving she’s so much more than an internet meme.
Sonically, the EP thrives on variety—blending techno, hyperpop, and industrial pop. TRUST! stands out as one of the most aggressive tracks, packed with distorted guitar riffs and glitchy production reminiscent of Slayyyter and Dorian Electra. Black’s delivery is fierce, a far cry from the playful pop of her past.
Sugar Water Cyanide is a bass-heavy club banger, oozing with late-night energy, while Do You Even Think About Me? leans into a more melancholic space, pairing a hypnotic beat with lyrics about heartbreak and unreciprocated feelings. This balance between vulnerability and power really highlights how much she’s grown as a songwriter.
SALVATION is sleek, well-produced, and packed with club-ready tracks that prove Black’s evolution as an artist. It’s a project she can truly be proud of—energetic, cohesive, and forward-thinking. If this is just a glimpse of what’s next, Rebecca Black’s future in pop is looking brighter than ever.
