By: Ethan Barrocas
If you’ve been on the internet lately, you might’ve seen people uplifting Tinashe. It’s my current vocal stim; jokes aside, she deserves all the support. Tinashe has deserved mainstream success for years; she’s a triple threat who offers everything the pop world has been craving. Her latest album, Popstar, only furthers my point. Pitchfork senior editor Anna Gaca said Popstar is “more ambitious, more focused, and effortlessly in touch with the zeitgeist.” The album’s timing feels perfect, capturing what it’s like to be an artist today through its ideas of social media pressure, the industry overlooking artists, and the grind of stardom. It’s a sleek, silver curtain that opens into a conceptual world of glamour, self-sacrifice, and the price of fame.
15. Overdramatic
Channeling a swaggy jazz-lounge vibe, the 45-second interlude sits comfortably at the bottom of the list. And it’s here mostly because of the length. This track catches Tinashe liberating her candid energy with the overdramatic reactions of those surrounding her.
14. Twentyfive Eight
Covering what the endless hustle looks like for a pop star, we hear Tinashe sing about the cost of her work and why she keeps grinding. The title plays on 24/7, suggesting how success keeps changing for her. She meets a goal, only for another to appear. Still, she insists she’s in it for the music and creative expression, pushing back against tying her self-worth to her achievements. The production echoes Rochelle Jordan’s stylings, especially in Tinashe’s breathy, airy vocals. Thematically, it fits perfectly on Popstar; it’s just the one I find myself skipping the most.
13. Heavy Weight
Closing the album on a vulnerable note, Heavy Weight strips back the satire, adding acoustic elements that seem out of place on this record but fit perfectly. The tender guitar plays nicely with themes of dependability and burnout. A key lyric is “So I just work harder/I’m the oldest daughter,” highlighting the immense pressure she feels to be the glue that holds everything together. Still, she keeps working harder, on the verge of breaking.
12. Crash Out
With an addictive trap beat that exudes swaggy confidence, “Crash Out” is quintessential Tinashe. She drops the nice-girl act, loses her cool, and reaches her breaking point. It’s what she could’ve done on “Heavy Weight” if she hadn’t kept her composure. She even goes so far as to call the American dream outdated and say that everyone chasing success makes it feel overrated. Overall, the track is so catchy, clever, and perfect for the days when everything just isn’t going your way.
11. Pillow Fight
“Pillow Fight” gets the award for best earworm of a chorus–it’s that good. A sensual lullaby, it centers on Tinashe’s flirtatious, intimate nature. The trap-piano elements create a sexy, romantic atmosphere. She invites her lover to stay the night, with cheeky terms like “tussle,” “wrestle,” and “pillow fight.” She keeps the upper hand throughout, promising to make them beg before they tap out.
10. Too Easy
With a boastful, club-ready energy, “Too Easy” is a victory lap for Tinashe. She plays a confident persona, effortlessly brushing off the haters. The repeated “it’s too easy” hook highlights all her wins, putting her accomplishments and status front and center. It’s a crime how short this track is, and the extended version adds no extra verse, which is a real letdown.
9. Empty Stadium
Over a delicate, sleek drum-and-bass groove, “Empty Stadium” is, in my opinion, the record’s most vulnerable moment. The lyric “Last night I saw a dream so vivid that I woke up sick” serves as the song’s central thesis. It shows the most cracks in the popstar image she’s creating, as she worries her work will go unnoticed, and she’ll never shake the label of “underrated.” She sings and sings, puts in the dedication, but this dread still overwhelms her. It’s a touching, real moment because this concern doesn’t just affect Tinashe; it’s a feeling so many artists in this industry machine share.
8. Popstar
The title track “Popstar” sees Tinashe’s larger-than-life persona at its fullest. It opens with an introduction reminiscent of Imogen Heap, making for a perfect hook. Tinashe plays the LA party-girl image while warning that falling for a pop star isn’t as glamorous as it seems. Beneath the gloss, she’s jaded by a scene overrun with people chasing fame, but she keeps partying and fighting for her rightful spot as a pop star. My favorite part of the song is the pre-chorus before the chorus hits a second time; the line “Wake up on TMZ, flash is so bright” is addictive.
7. Cloud 9
Euphoric bliss describes “Cloud 9.” It’s explosive, highlighting an emotional connection, a rush that feels otherworldly. It’s a moment of pure release, where rational thought gives way to unfiltered emotion and pleasure. Tinashe admits she’s in too deep, but it’s so beautiful that she doesn’t care and just wants to keep going. After the dread and isolation depicted on “Empty Stadium,” she screams, “I’m finally feeling something!”
6. I’d Rather Be Alone
If the sonic elements of Rihanna’s “Kiss It Better” had a baby, it would be “I’d Rather Be Alone.” The track sees Tinashe walking away from someone who withholds their love, refusing to accept pain as the price of love. It’s empowering, and the heavy, vigorous vocals match that conviction. A desperation lies beneath the track’s confidence, as if deciding to leave becomes almost exhausting with every new possibility. This tension gives the song deep emotional weight, turning it from a simple breakup anthem into something much more cathartic.
5. Brainrot
The song’s title made me think I’d hate it on the first listen. I’m very glad to say that’s not the case. Beneath its intentionally obnoxious title, it’s actually a very introspective take on the emptiness of chasing fame, success, and stimulation. The track thrives on its chaotic nature, but disillusionment lurks beneath the party atmosphere. That contradiction is what makes it work: desperately wanting to feel something, but nothing seems to fill this endless void.
4. Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore
A frustrated love letter to the dance floor, “Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore” focuses on how nightlife lacks connection nowadays and, as the title suggests, nobody wants to dance anymore. Tinashe recognizes these unfortunate circumstances but doesn’t let it get to her: “Between a late night and sweet romance/Can’t lie, I’d rather just dance.” Her choice to prioritize the dance floor over a quick thing feels refreshing. She fully embraces the freedom the night offers.
3. Flashbacks
What started as my least favorite track quickly jumped to my number three spot. Over dainty production, she chants cheeky innuendos that highlight themes of desire and nostalgia. It’s so playful, with the delicate sound contrasting beautifully with the intimacy of the lyrics. As the song unfolds, the hazy climate draws you in, perfectly capturing the memories Tinashe sings about. It’s extremely charming yet sensual, with alluring moments that leave a lasting impression.
2. Sunglasses
God bless Arca and Machinedrum. The glitchy, bass-heavy production makes “Sunglasses” a standout opener for Popstar, and Tinashe matches its energy effortlessly. She treats music as a religion and form of escape, admitting she’s overwhelmed and needs to feel something, using blacked-out sunglasses as a metaphor for protection and style. I love the “a-la” ad-libs; they almost sound like she’s saying Allah, which ties back to the lyric “Speaker so loud, music my religion.” It’s one of my favorite opening tracks of 2026.
1. Melatonin
This is my song of the year. Holy shit, it’s so good. Contrary to its title, it does anything but put you to sleep. She’s aware people are sleeping on her, and she’s tired of it. It’s cocky in the best way possible. The production elements are so fresh, especially the constant repetition that always hooks you in. With every listen, it keeps me on my toes, and I always find something new to love about the track.
Final Score:
8.8/10
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