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.
Drake and Kendrick’s ‘beef’ isn’t just misogynistic, it’s telling of a full-blown masculinity crisis
Whether you’re a hip-hop head or not, it has been difficult to avoid the news dominating the genre of late. Tapping into our cultural...
45s of the week: 5 new songs to play now from Gracie Abrams, Pip...
Gracie Abrams – 'Risk'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiMuT2BhwO0
Ever gotten carried away with a crush? On ‘Risk’, Gracie Abrams is in restless mode, ready to chance it all and...
With her album anti-rollout, Billie Eilish wants us to respect albums – and Mother...
When the industry zigs, Billie Eilish likes to zag. Whether it’s refusing to conform to perceptions of what a female-identifying popstar ‘should’ be wearing...
Queerchella: Why fans are calling this year’s festival a ‘sapphic dream’
Amidst all the usual internet grumbling about dull crowds, pricey food and stifling heat, there was one big rainbow-coded talking point at this year's...
English Teacher – ‘This Could Be Texas’ review: a subtly brilliant debut from the...
If you haven’t heard of English Teacher yet, there might be a universe in which you could be forgiven. Rather than TikTok virality, beef-seeking...
Is there any room for fantasy in pop music these days?
You’ve got to feel a tiny bit sorry for that old Jolene. More than 50 years after Dolly Parton first begged her not to...
45s of the week – Chappell Roan, Hope Tala, London Grammar and more!
Chappel Roan - 'Good Luck, Babe'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ-oGLluGAc
Going from strength to strength on both the Olivia Rodrigo tour and an appearance on TinyDesk, Chappel Roan is...
Dua Lipa and what it takes to be a Main Pop Girl
For those of us who are chronically online, the phrase ‘Main Pop Girl’ is likely a familiar one.
Used to delineate It-girls-in-training from established superstars,...
Musicians and politics – good idea, right?
When fans line up for an Olivia Rodrigo concert, many will be anticipating a life-changing experience. In giving so many young women the opportunity...
45s of the week – Charli XCX, Cardi B, Miley Cyrus & more!
Charli XCX – 'Von Dutch'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZ1L_0QLjw
“It’s okay to just admit that you’re jealous of me.” A thumping new era of Charli XCX is upon us,...