Popstar - Tinashe (2026) Review

What a phenomenal album from Tinashe. The music is very unpredictable in every sense yet still manages to be cohesive with a clear and bold thesis and vision. The themes on this record consist of the nuances of what being a popstar really is and what that exactly implies. There has been a trend for the 2020s decade of artists being meta of what "pop," "showbiz," and the "music industry" symbolizes or represents. Tinashe brings a different perspective and adds a different layer to this concept. Yes, there is still the braggadocious and fun delivery of what a popstar is, but this album dives deeper into the somber, sad, and frustrating aspects. What makes this approach stick is how hard people root for her. Her artistry, success, and her journey throughout the industry are all different elements that emphasizes this unique approach.  And when you take these different elements and combine them with her being a black woman and being independent, we get an amazing effort like this album. 

The songwriting on this album focuses on pulling the curtain back and seeing the humanity of a "popstar" rather than the phenomenon of the idea. It does not manage to be self indulgent or tone deaf, which can sometimes be a difficult thing to do. Many artists can fail at that, coming off as dissonant from the real world. 

When listening to the album, it felt like all of Tinashe’s discography led up to this point. Without directly referencing herself, she furthers into that dreamy - almost spacey type of sound that she thrives in, but is not limited to. Throughout the album, there were many pleasant surprises and ranges of sound that I found interesting. She pulls from West Coast Hip Hop, House, EDM, minimalistic jazz, 2010s pop, and alternative Rnb. The artists that I immediately thought of were Lady Gaga, Nine Inch Nails, Rochelle Jordan, Kelela, FKA Twigs, and Rihanna. 

Despite many of the versatile sounds on this album, this ends up being a melancholic listening experience if you pay attention closely to the lyrics. A fun record by all means, but a juxtaposition of amusement and uneasiness. This is what makes the listening experience more impactful and drives the "Popstar" message home. I’ve listened to this album more than I count and with every listen, I discover something new that I love about it; a career high from Tinashe and my personal album of the year so far!