On June 5, Lizzo released her third studio album titled BITCH. Reclaiming the term, Lizzo’s album is a personal project from the past four years of her life, dealing with darker and more challenging moments involving a lawsuit and public criticism.
Reclaiming the narrative and pushing back against public criticism, Lizzo’s album celebrates herself, her most unapologetic self.
Rather than presenting an album similar to her past projects, featuring songs that uplift, encouraged them, and celebrate self-love. BITCH takes a different approach. Instead, the album features songs that Lizzo needed to hear for herself.
A toast to the ones who hurt Lizzo the most. Lizzo’s opening track, “A Toast,” is about reclaiming her power despite all the trials and tribulations. In the opening track, Lizzo states, “here’s a toast to waste of time/And all the energy I put into these people/I’m letting go, just to free my mind/’Cause I’m finally who I said I’d be for the first time.”
This song sets the tone for the album with a stage-like presence that gives the track a theatrical feel. It features dramatic elements with a piano-driven performance. Lizzo is embracing who she is for the first time, toasting to the ones who hurt her the most.
Continuing with the album’s reflection of self-acceptance and appreciation, “Happy 2 Be” reflects Lizzo’s gratitude toward herself. Lizzo states, “Finally, I’m happy to be (be be be)/Cause I’ve got love (love) with you, baby” and “I wanna thank you for taking me as I am.”
Call her what you may, but on her fourth track, “BITCH,” Lizzo is reclaiming the term. While some may associate her with the term for simply being aspirational or doing her own thing, that perception only tells part of the truth. Lizzo is just a human being, like us, navigating life. As she states in her song “BITCH” Lizzo is a lover, child, mother, sinner, saint, mess, queen, and everything in between. And Lizzo is not ashamed, nor would she have it any other way, because that is who she is.
Ending on an uplifting note, Lizzo closes the album with “Goodmorning,” a moment of encouragement and positivity that urges listeners to be resilient.
While BITCH is emotionally driven, the album has received mixed reviews for its tonal shift and blend of genres. Ranging from jazz and rock to R&B and more, the album’s genre-blending approach does not always feel cohesive. At times, it can come across as inconsistent and may not resonate with listeners. Nonetheless, that inconsistency also reflects the album’s theme of healing.
While the album may not be Lizzo’s best work in comparison to her other albums. After understanding the meaning behind the lyrics and their emotional intent, the album is a meaningful listen.
Navigating public scrutiny, legal battles, and harassment allegations, this album serves as a testament. Healing is rarely linear, especially when dealing with dark and challenging times. Instead, it is messy, complex, and multifaceted, as reflected throughout the album’s diverse sounds, shifting moods, and emotional vulnerability.
BITCH reflects an important chapter in Lizzo’s artistic career. Through its genre-blending sound, emotional honesty, and vulnerability, Lizzo’s album reveals a side of artistry that the industry rarely embraces, one that is imperfect, vulnerable, and still finding its way.
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