Betty Who? Betty the person you should be listening to, that’s Who. She’s the retro pop star that will have you singing about the “Glory Days.” I’ve known about Betty for about two years, since she released her song “Somebody Loves You,” which is now a hit on SoundCloud. I’ve followed her career from its inception, through her two EP’s and now her first full-length album, Take Me When You Go. It’s everything I could have asked for; it’s the perfect 80s throwback with a modern pop twist.
The slow, funky, lost-love song “Just Like Me” gives the album a more laid back beginning. It has a lively, rhythmic bass line and shows off Betty’s amazing voice. She went to the Interlochen School of Music in Illinois and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and her professional training as a singer shows. Her easy, airy voice will have you floating into her retro world.
Her songs “High Society” and “Glory Days” are perfect examples of her homage to the 80s. They both have typical 80s electronica as the background, and the lyrics allude to that wonderful era. “These are the glory days/This is the golden age/We’re making out in the basement/I could fall in love tonight,” she belts out, reminiscing about all the good times.
As I mentioned, “Somebody Loves You” has become a mainstream hit, heard on radios across the nation. I knew when I first heard it two years ago that it was going to be a hit. “Somebody wants to hear you say/Ohh somebody loves you,” she sings over energetic beats and buzzing synths. I play this song whenever I need a pick-me-up; it’s the perfect feel-good song and lets you know that “Somebody Loves You.” The video is full of pops of color and people just having a good time; you can’t help but have a smile on your face when you’re watching it.
Her rebellious love song “All of You” is a total blowout. It has an infectious beat that will have you dancing at the club, alone in your room, or just walking to class. “Get to know me in your back seat/Drive me crazy then you drive me home,” she sings about that love you can’t help but want.
The album flows through beautiful ballads like “A Night To Remember,” to bubbly, passionate pop songs like “Heartbreak Dream.” It finishes with the beautiful and memorable song “California Rain.” Betty’s ethereal voice is set over an angelic murmur and complementary piano chords that transport listeners to another world. “I love it when you’re lonely/That’s when we feel the same,” she whispers, longing for a love that has lost its track. It’s a truly enchanting song, its atmospheric style and haunting lyrics make this a unique, disarming ballad.
Betty Who is on the top of my “up-and-coming artists” list for a good reason. Her beautiful lyrics, artful voice and dedication to her 80s style make her an act you can’t miss. I see big things in the future for Betty; seeing as she has already been the opener for Katy Perry’s Prismatic tour and is in the midst of her own solo tour, her dream of stardom is starting to come true.
