<p><span><span>- If your first thought when you hear Rebecca Black’s name is <em>still</em> her hit-for-all-the-wrong-reasons single <em>Friday, </em>produced by ARK Music Factory in 2011, her latest EP <em>Rebecca Black was Here </em>is <em>here</em> to remind you to <em>get with the times!</em> It seems impossible to shake her association that now-iconic music video, nor does she seem to want to if her tenth anniversary remix produced hyperpop legend <strong>Dylan Brady </strong>and featuring <strong>Dorian Electra</strong> and <strong>3OH!3</strong> is anything to go by. But even from the very first single, this album is a clear sign that Rebecca knows exactly what she’s doing.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The EP’s first single, <em>Girlfriend</em>, is a refreshing pop anthem, bursting at the seams with joy. It’s impossible not to smile listening to this tune. It brings back memories of <em>Teenage Dream </em>era <strong>Katy Perry</strong>, with its driving, synthpop beat and in-your-face vocals. <em>Girlfriend,</em> like a number of the songs on the EP, speaks openly about queer relationships with triumph and pride.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Personal</em> definitely maintains that sense of sardonic madness found in the aforementioned <em>Friday </em>remix, but there’s also a level of sincerity here. <em>“Possessive turned to passive in the middle of the night / Now in your vision I’m the villain / You can’t look me in the eyes.”</em> Everything about this song’s aesthetics screams Dorian Electra, right down to the use of autotune, and even her outfits and mannerisms in the music video. The song is a really interesting take on the end of a relationship and one not often found in pop music; Rebecca’s come to terms with her ex’s hatred of her, despite her having done nothing to intentionally hurt that person. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Rebecca Black’s latest EP is a jubilant and intelligent comeback, with fantastic hyper pop-adjacent production and lyrics that balance every ounce of sentimentality with sharp wit and honesty. From <em>Friday</em> and internet bullies to LGBT pop icon, if there was ever an artist whose career is a testament to their resilience and strength of character, this EP solidifies in my mind that that artist is Rebecca Black.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Alison Paris.</span></span></p>
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