Following a ‘slow but steady’ rise to pop success, Bebe Rexha returns with “I’m a Mess,” the presumed final advance single from her debut LP, ‘Expectations.’

For rising pop star Bebe Rexha, it’s been a long time coming – years at this point.  Finally, following the massive success of single “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line, her time seems to have finally come.  Her first full-length album, Expectations, arrives June 22, following numerous EPs. “I’m a Mess” is presumably the final advance single from the album, following “Meant to Be,” “Ferrari”, and “2 Souls on Fire” (featuring Quavo).

“I’m a Mess” features electric guitar-fueled accompaniment with mostly finger snaps (programming). Eventually, the subtler finger snaps are completely replaced with full-fledged, urban-infused drum programming.  Notably, there’s some production gimmickry on the chorus – not shocking for a pop record. Moving onto Rexha, she delivers a solid vocal performance.  Notably here, she embraces her huskier, thicker tone and texture, which cuts through the production.  She actually sounded similarly on “Back to You”, her collaboration with Louis Tomlinson.  Interestingly, it doesn’t always seem that she’s sounds exactly the same… Technicalities aside, her assertiveness and command are selling points. The catchy chorus is the centerpiece of this record.

“I’m a mess, I’m a loser / I’m a hater, I’m a user / I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new / I’m obsessed, I’m embarrassed / I don’t trust no one around us / I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Bebe Rexha has another winner on her hands with “I’m a Mess.” That said, as enjoyable and well-sung as the record is, it still doesn’t top “Meant to Be.”  Face it folks – that song was “meant to be.” Okay lame. The Musical Hype, out.

Bebe Rexha • Expectations • Warner Bros. • Release: 6.22.18

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.