Alemeda – “But What the Hell Do I Know?” review

Phoenix, Arizona singer/songwriter of Sudanese-Ethiopian descent Alemeda returning for her 2nd EP. Appearing on the Hit-Boy produced highlight “Fallacy” off Ab-Soul’s 5th album Herbert at the end of 2022, she would eventually sign to Top Dawg Entertainment under an exclusive distribution deal with Warner Records for a positively received pop rock/bedroom pop debut EP Fuck It last fall. 14 months have passed & she’s looking to further her establish her by releasing But What the Hell Do I Know?.

Things begin with the pop rock intro “Happy with You” singing about being in disbelief that she can feel contented by a romantic figure whereas “Beat a Bitch Up!” featuring Doechii fuses alternative rock, post-punk revival, indie rock, pop rap, pop punk & shoegaze for a ventilation of resorting to physical violence. “Losing Myself” sings about feeling like she’s falling into a metaphorical abyss while the indie/pop rock & bedroom pop lead single “Chameleon” featuring Rachel Chinouriri cautions that karma’s coming to manipulators.

“1-800-FUCK-YOU” starts the 2nd half of But What the Hell Do I Know? with a pop rock/post-punk revival single confidently standing up to any bullshit hurled at her while the self-produced “Stupid Little Bitch” asks why she wastes her days crying over someone in her life worth deeming that very title. “I’m Over It” lately sends off the EP with 1 more pop rock track singing about how things started in this relationship she’s describing wound up being the same way things were lost, being on the verge of giving up trying to fix it.

Expanding the predominant pop rock & bedroom pop sounds of Fuck It almost 14 months ago including it’s secondary post-punk revival influences, Alemeda comes to the realization that she didn’t know everything like she always thought & takes a more vulnerable approach than she did on But What Do I Know?’s predecessor. Her whole entire style that makes her differ from her labelmates is being distilled right in front of us for 17 minutes additionally pulling from alternative rock, indie rock, pop rap, pop punk & shoegaze.

Score: 4/5

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Alemeda – “FUCK IT” review

Alemeda is a 24 year old Sudanese-Ethiopian singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona who became inspired to make music after watching the High School Musical trilogy as a heavy Disney pop-punk kid growing up. However, it wasn’t until her feature on the Hit-Boy produced highlight “Fallacy” off Ab-Soul’s 5th album Herbert at the end of 2022 were many including myself first caught onto her. Almost 22 months later, she’s celebrating her new joint deal with Top Dawg Entertainment & Warner Records by releasing her debut EP.

“I hate your face” starts on the groovy R&B tip singing that she wants to speak to whoever raised these ignorant, uneducated haters whereas “Don’t Call Me” takes the alternative rock route telling an ex of hers that she made his problems important to her & not to contact her. “Guy’s Girl” comes to the realization that the guy she used to see won’t ever change over a pop rock instrumental, but then the rock/R&B crossover “I already dug your grave” asks if he regrets the things he’s done when he’s alone.

To kick off the other half of FUCK IT, “1st Love Song” fuses pop rock with post-punk revival & bedroom pop admitting she was pissed on the evening of her partner’s birthday while “Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows” swaps out the pop rock & post-punk revival influences in favor of 2-step & alternative R&B talking about being a new artist with a new style. Below the Belt” feels young as she’s ever been & old enough to know this individual never really gave her a chance over warm guitar shredding & “Not Asking for Much” is a down-tuned closer needing some summertime.

If any of you enjoyed the “Fallacy” feature like I did & have yet to check out Alemeda’s own discography, this EP is the truest expression of who she is artistically & personally. She makes her case as the newest welcoming addition of the TDE roster letting go of what doesn’t serve her & embracing the chaos and beauty of being unapologetically real through the styles of contemporary R&B, alternative rock, pop rock, post-punk revival, alternative R&B & 2-step.

Score: 3.5/5