Jenessa Williams
Jenessa is a freelance music journalist, fandom academic and the writer of Subtweets, our weekly column that dissects the trending topics setting Music Twitter alight. She likes millennial hip-hop, noughties emo and advocating for a new era of diversity and representation in both.
45s of the week: CMAT, Madison Beer, Hannah Georgas and more!
CMAT – 'Have Fun!'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux_RYOHc4oM
Having made her name as “everyone’s favourite global pop star™”, Irish sensation CMAT is back with a fresh slice of gleeful...
Liberté, Egalité, Tittie; Janelle Monáe’s sexual liberation is not ours to police
As long as there have been pop stars, there has been scandal about their sexuality. Whether they’ve got too much on show (or not...
Arlo Parks – ‘My Soft Machine’ review: a gentle progression from a radiating star
On her debut album, Arlo Parks showcased a style of lyricism that felt to many like a wise and kindly friend. Released in the...
Mae Muller is the personality-giving Eurovision star that the UK deserves
If you grew up in the UK in the noughties, there is every chance that you might see Eurovision as a bit of a...
45’s of The Week; Bethany Cosentino, Le Serrafim, Gretel Hänlyn and more
Bethany Cosentino - 'It’s Fine'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgOGz8Hkevg&t=51s
After 14 years as one-half of beach-rock heroes Best Coast, Bethany Cosentino has finally backed herself to go it alone,...
Fake Drakes and Ariana edits: How will AI technology change music and fandom?
When it comes to technology, it’s been an interesting few weeks for our favourite musicians. First there was Twitter’s blue-tick exodus, reducing Beyoncé down...
On their UK tour, Paramore are making peace with the past
In a week where Frank Ocean was making news for being a reluctant festival headliner, a different artist across the pond was quietly proving...
Can we please stop assuming that all Black artists make hip-hop?
When somebody has new music out, it’s normal for there to be some debate about their sound, the kind of influences or ideas that...
45’s Of The Week: Maisie Peters, Yaeji, Poppy and more
Maisie Peters - 'Lost The Breakup'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwoovvtYf08
Having built a fandom through radical lyrical transparency, breakout popstar Maisie Peters knows a thing or two about warts...
Jimin’s ‘Like Crazy’ success brings K-Pop’s western crossover full circle
11 years ago, a thumping beat and novelty horse-riding dance changed everything. The artist was Psy, and the song was 'Gangnam Style', a satirical...