FEATURED FINDS: BABY QUEEN IS OUR INDIE POP SNARK QUEEN

Photo: Buzzkill album cover

To be this cutting is a hell of a thing.

Baby Queen is deeply disaffected. Like who am I to even comment on the songs of Bella Latham, the South African born, London based, singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist when she’s already got her own shit so well figured out? Further the generation divide, why don’t I?

As far as I can tell, for Baby Queen’s lyrical material to be this keyed in on what NOT to be, it must have taken an intense level of soul searching at quite an early age (something that my entire generation had already proven themselves incapable of). Bravo to you, Baby Queen. I think you’re onto something here. Keep at it. While Taylor Swift and the 1975 have perhaps proven themselves to be the indie/pop voice(s) FOR Gen Z, maybe Baby Queen is best suited to be the voice OF Gen Z. Her songs are painfully aware that she has entered a world that seems to have no place for her (and her entire generation) and yet pushes through the bullshit anyways to make way for some charming-as-hell statement-centered “anti-pop.”

BABY QUEEN - “BUZZKILL”

To listen to Baby Queen's songs without video accompaniment is doing this artist a disservice. Sure, “Buzzkill” bangs in its own right with a bass heavy beat and Baby Queen’s low-energy yet rhythmical cadence, but the video expresses something else entirely: that Baby Queen has got IT. What’s it? I’m not sure… charisma probably? Presence perhaps. (Something that our #1 pop songsmith du jour seems to be lacking -- no shade on DL love your songs but--).

Baby Queen is snarky, sure, but her “Buzzkill” video is playful too. She drops knowing smirks to let viewers know that she’s in on the joke. The cosmic one, that is. Even though she admits to being a ‘buzzkill’ the video captures an energy that asks ‘maybe y’all ‘party people’ are the ones who’ve got it all wrong?’, and we believe her. Hell, I’m sure there are people partying to this one right now who’ve missed the whole point.

BABY QUEEN - “INTERNET RELIGION”

Baby Queen’s first single took the piss out of listeners straight from the get go. “Internet Religion” is full-on snark indie pop for Instagram Influencer selfie and me-me-me obsessed culture. The video captures this multibillion dollar realm of vapid creativity with Latham turning the camera on herself and mocking Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and probably a whole slew of other apps that people over 30 have barely started to hear about. But it’s all so fucking dumb, right? Exactly. And Baby Queen makes it known that’s precisely how she feels. The sarcastic streak running through these songs gives me hope for the next generation. An awareness of how things really are (even if they end up falling for the same trappings as we did).

Truly desperate to see this one take over as the next dance sensation on TikTok. Can we make that happen?

@queenofthebabies

Supporting @yungblud @ the Glasgow live stream show tonight. ##ybvirtualtour ##babyqueen ##babykingdom ##queenofthebabies

♬ original sound - Baby Queen

From deep within the murky depths of the Los Angeles River emerged a creature: 50% raver, 50% comedian, 10% Robotcop. Kurt Kroeber doesn’t own a dog, operates Soundbleed (the world’s only dance party comedy talk show rave), and is down to party with you. Come up some time and say “Hey dude!” But definitely make sure to casually drop the secret Illuminati password.