alemeda is one to watch out for

fk it ep review + my substack rebrand update

Before I get right into it - the elephant in the room; I’ve rebranded! Yes, so long "Sema Has Taste,” and welcome "Taste Obsessed." I find this new name suits my substack a lot better. I’m not sure if you feel the same way or if you even care! What I write about will stay the same. I do find it a little draining to write full album reviews all the time; it’s why it takes me a while to write them. Sometimes there aren’t enough words to describe why I love an album. I spend a lot of time listening to the songs, analyzing the lyrics, and discovering the storytelling along the way. I want to do the albums I love justice when I write about them because, unlike Pitchfork; I actually want people to listen to the music and hope it brings them the same joy it brings me.

But that being said, I want to write more, so I’ll be experimenting with different styles and topics that feel exciting to me. My plan for this Substack was always to share my media obsessions which include primarily music, TV shows, and sometimes books, movies, or internet findings but those are rare occasions. My main focus will be on music, but sometimes I’m going to dip my toes into other topics. I will post at least one long album review per month, and other topics (four articles per month—fingers crossed I live up to this); It’s exciting for me! I get to be in your inbox at least four times a month instead of just once if you let me!! My last post was so fun to write, and more topics like that will be coming (even if I ruffled some feathers..oops!). Lastly, I just want to say thank you so much for subscribing, reading, and for all the feedback you’ve been giving me (positive, constructive, and negative); it means a lot <3

Okay, let’s start the review.

I can talk about my favorite albums, my favorite artists, and about how one’s artistry evolves all day. But sometimes, a body of work resonates with me so much sonically, lyrically, and emotionally (it’s not always sad) that I simply don’t have a lot of words for it, It’s all about the feelings the songs evoke more than anything. It makes me excited for the artistry one holds, and how they’ll evolve from there. I am a potential girl (coined by me); I see potential in everyone (in real life and online)—at times, to my detriment. When I see the vision an artist is trying to portray in their music, I can’t look away; I can’t let it go, and I have to keep being annoying until everyone pays attention.

FUCK IT - Alemeda

You are going to get so sick of me, I will put this artist on so many lists—get ready to be annoyed. She is the future. I said it. In a land of sad girl music (which I love), this album, sonically and lyrically is so refreshing.

Starting with the song “I hate your face,” which is such a hater anthem, even if Alemeda herself sings, “I’m not a hater but I sure hate you.” This whole song is dragging some loser. It starts with light punk-like guitar strums, and Alemeda begins singing “I'd like to speak to who the fuck raised you, I just wanna know if they're insane too.” I just knew I was going to get into something that was lyrically insane (I was not wrong about that). The chorus feels like a punch to someone, with every lyric calling them a loser in a bigger way than the last line. I love it! Such a great punchy start to the project.

Then we get the excellence that is the song “Don’t call me,“ another vicious track telling maybe the same loser that they’re done, to not call her, and to leave her alone. The punk sound is fully in effect here; it sounds like if Avril Lavigne made Complicated in 2024 but with Alemeda’s voice, which makes you feel as annoyed as she is. It sounds like she’s leaving a voicemail to someone. “Never took my vitamins ‘cause I was playin’ your mom” is a crazy lyric to add to this song.

Sonically she tones it down a little with the song “Guy’s girl,” but not lyrically! Alemeda goes all in, pretty much spilling this girl’s business on this song, calling her out for not treating her like shit but still picking that man over her, even though he lies to her and she lies for him. It weirdly sounds like a response to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Lie to girls”—I love when two artists write about the same theme but from different perspectives.

My favorite song is next: “I already dug your grave.” Give it a little time; there’s no way this song isn’t going to be at least a mini hit. It’s so infectious, starting with the first electric guitar strums before the alt-pop-punk sound announces itself. I loove how this song sounds from start to finish, I adore the lyrics about how someone is dead to you and it’s too late for them to make it up. That’s right; forgiveness is not always the key to happiness!! From this whole ep, the lyrics “The only way you'll change, the only way you'll grow, Is if you're six feet deep down a goddamn hole” is so fun to sing in the car—give it a try!

“This is your first love song” feels fresh since the first four songs are dragging somebody; it’s nice to hear a love song..except that it’s not. I can physically feel Alemeda giving the biggest eye-roll as she sings this song. “Here’s your love song I guess.” She feels incredibly uncomfortable trying to be vulnerable in this song, as the verses are talking about how she’s always running from love and avoiding it. It’s a nice vibey song, but the subtext makes it even better.

The next three songs are when the true vulnerability hits.

“Gonna bleach my eyebrows,” the first song she released that went viral back in 2021, focuses on a glow-up after a breakup, and not caring that this person wants you back. I love her melodic flow of singing; it feels very Szanese to me, the influence is all over the song, but I can see Alemeda’s artistry within it.

“Below the belt” has a summery LA vibe to it, with the chorus shifting to light ska-punk. It’s very fitting with the theme of the song—feeling used and left and you didn’t even like them to begin with, but now you’re hurt?? The audacity.

This EP ends with “Not asking for much,” a song that’s pleading for someone to give you a little of anything, desperation at its worst. It gives me a little bit of a jazzy feel but is edgy with acoustic guitars; I’m not sure if you know what I mean, so just press play on the song. It feels weirdly very Western. It’s a good song to end the EP on, summarizing everything we’ve heard from the first seven tracks, all tied up in a pretty sounding bow.

I’m not exactly sure how to describe Alemeda’s sound. It is alternative but also pop and punk. I guess it’s alt-pop-punk, but it feels much more experimental than that. Her voice adds another layer to the sound, and her melodic flows, and the note changes in each song are part of her signature style. The lyrics are raw, unfiltered, not worried about hurting anyone’s feelings, and unintentionally so funny—I love it!

I’m so excited about her potential to evolve even more; I see the vision clear as day! I can’t wait to see what else she has cooking, especially for her debut album. I’ve linked the album down below so it’s easier for you to check it out if you haven’t gotten the chance yet. Just click play. I recommend listening to it in the car and yelling out the lyrics—you won’t regret it.

Also, here are two videos of her performances that I thought were fantastic!

till next time,

sema <3