Shygirl is an English singer, songwriter and DJ that started getting attention in 2020 when she was featured on Arca’s critically acclaimed “KiCk i,” and later the same year when she released her second EP “ALIAS.” Since then, Shygirl has collaborated with legends, including but not limited to FKA Twigs, Lady Gaga, SOPHIE and Charli XCX, becoming one of the staple figures of the deconstructed club and contemporary house scene in the process.
“Club Shy Room 2” is a follow up to last year’s “Club Shy” which saw her focus on the house sound and collaborations with numerous vocalists and producers. With all of these elements, Shygirl was able to craft a project that felt like an electric DJ set in a raunchy underground club. “Club Shy Room 2” keeps this same atmosphere and tone while upping the star power with notable features from Saweetie, Jorja Smith, PinkPantheress and even some production credits from Mura Masa.
While this project retains the club atmosphere of its predecessor, it strays from its dance-pop elements in, preferring to delve more into a hip-house sound. This deviation works for me in tracks like “Flex,” a full-on sexy drill track with Shygirl and Bambii, a fellow DJ and producer, trading sensual verses over deep bass patterns. On the third track, “Immaculate,” grimy production underscores Shygirl’s and Saweetie’s unapologetically raunchy lyrics and an addictive and repetitive chorus.
However, tracks like the introduction, “Je M’appelle,” contains production and rapping that is simply too mediocre to justify its deviation from these dance-pop elements that I feel Shygirl tends to thrive in more.
The last three tracks bring back the enigmatic house production and even catchier choruses. “F* Me,” featuring Yseult, a French singer-songwriter, simultaneously has the most repetitive and raunchy lyrics on the whole project. Matched with super star producer Mura Masa’s bouncy drums and house synths culminate in this being the most exciting track so far.
“Wifey Riddim” employs Jorja Smith to deliver perfect club vocals over sparkly textures and a dirty bassline beat. Not to be outshone, Shygirl and SadBoi deliver some solid verses in between. The last track of the EP, “True Religion,” brings together an all-star cast of Isabella Lovestory and PinkPantheress.
This track contains, hands-down, my favorite chorus of the whole project delivered by Shygirl herself. The structure of the track is a perfect three-hit combo of Shygirl’s infectious chorus, followed by a Spanish verse by Isabella Lovestory and a final bridge with some bubbly vocals by PinkPantheress.
“Club Shy Room 2” deviates from its predecessor in a way that is a little hit or miss for me. While some of the more hip-house elements are serviceable and occasionally stand out, I find myself missing the poppier vocals that I can see work really well on the tail end of this project. However, no matter how short or repetitive a Shygirl project might be, she never fails to deliver a collection of bangers within an immersive club atmosphere.
Rating: 3/5