Nessa Barrett - “young forever” Album Review
One thing that fans love about Nessa Barrett is that she does not portray a fake persona about how amazing life is as a pop star. She is genuine and exhibits her pain and struggles through her music.
This is Barrett’s debut album following her debut EP, “pretty poison,” in 2021. It’s an exploration of the battles she has to overcome as a human. She composes in a way that fans can associate her music with their lives and feel less isolated through their difficult moments.
Nessa Barrett is a 20-year-old girl from New Jersey who grew a fanbase from TikTok and moved to California at only 17-years-old to pursue her music career. Her music genre consists mainly of pop, but some may also notice some pop rock and alternative vibes throughout her songs.
When listening to Barrett, the audience may relate to some of her music and come to the realization that people in Hollywood have lives that are very similar to ours and experience the same struggles that any other person would.
Barrett shares her feelings online through various social media posts, but this album took that emotional vulnerability to the next level. She fantasizes about a life that was different from hers even though many may see her life from the outside and assume that it’s perfect.
This has been a very difficult year for Barrett. Jaden Hossler, also known as jxdn, and Barrett split up in May to focus on their careers and mental health. Their good friend, Cooper Noriega, recently passed away in June at only 19-years-old and jxdn wrote two songs for him in a single called “28 (Songs for Cooper).” Also, in August, Barrett announced that she had recently been released from a psych ward.
Barrett revealed that during the writing process of “young forever,” she was at her worst. She is clearly going through a lot, but there is only so much that is publicized. No one knows what she is going through in her own personal life.
The lyrics in this album construct a story in a way that fans can almost see into her life and relate it to themselves.
“tired of california” sets the tone for the whole album. She discusses her frustration with the celebrity scene in LA and the vanity that comes with fame.
“talk to myself” expresses how the judgment from others will never compare to the pain she can inflict upon herself from how she feels.
On a more intimate note, “dear god” shows how Barrett is trying to find a way to fit in and see her purpose. She wants to be better, but doesn’t know how.
“too hot to cry” displays her confidence even when she is going through so much. It portrays a sense of self-love and that she does not need anyone’s approval on how she looks.
Changing the tone of the album, “madhouse” sets the theme for the last five songs. She talks about mental health and how when people struggle with mental disorders, they are seen as different.
“unnecessary violence” is a sad but captivating song about how people’s words can really affect someone, but they do not have to matter.
“die first” is a bittersweet love song about the most important people in her life. She explains how she would want to die before them because she does not want to learn how to live life without them.
The length of the album was about 36 minutes, which is perfect. It is short, but not too short. Barrett knows exactly how to captivate a listener’s attention through every song so they will never be bored.
The best time to listen to “young forever” is at a time when the listener is feeling down but wants to express it through music. This album is a way to feel less alone and find the confidence in oneself to move forward and forget what the haters say.
Review: 8/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Song: “talk to myself”
Reviewer’s Least Favorite Songs: N/A
Brianna Cavalieri is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email bmc6284@psu.edu.
