SCENE QUEEN - HOT SINGLES IN YOUR AREA
Bimbocore: an act of modern feminism and empowerment. This has been at the forefront of Scene Queen’s (Hannah Collins’) music from day one and is something she’s garnered mass praise for across social media. Having brought many women and people within the queer community together by touching on topics that have been issues within the scene for years, Scene Queen is constantly in touch with the generation she grew up in as she’s always making sure to speak her mind on everything she comes across. Released this week, Hot Singles in Your Area is an album that continues that streak. It finds Scene Queen utilising her voice as she refuses to shy away from life’s hard truths, both personally and industry-wise.
Opening with ‘BDSM’, which Collins has stated stands for “beatdown slut metal”, showcases personal empowerment. The nu-metal-inspired track is unapologetic in its message as Scene Queen details what she has now, showing gratitude for everything she’s accomplished, in a fiery, almost revenge-stricken way. “Oh, so you hate me,” she sings. “Well, I hate you more / I got an 8-string, label, and a sold-out tour.”
Packed with scathing humour and cynicism, ‘18+’ showcases Collins’ staggering abilities as a lyricist. The discordant rap track finds the singer-songwriter at her most profound as she broaches the topic of grooming and underage sex. Shedding light on men within the scene taking advantage of those younger than them, Collins’ delivery is straightforward. Her tone in delivery tells listeners that her words are facts and she doesn’t care who will call her out. “Headline spot goes to the abuser (that's right) / Half my idols are fucking losers,” she croons. “If I'm the bitch just starting rumours / What about the dogs turned into groomers.”
Collaborating with The Ready Set, ‘POV’ is a short yet feisty track that finds Collins reflecting on everything she’s accomplished. Recalling on times people have undermined her, Collins takes such opinions with a pinch of salt, going completely unfazed, and uses them as ammunition to work even harder. This message is reinforced throughout the track as Collins continuously reminds people she’s “at the top.”
Not only does Hot Singles In Your Area showcase everything Scene Queen’s listeners have grown to lover about her, it also showcases her artistry as she smoothly blends genres together in a couple of tracks. ‘MILF’, a sapphic country meets metal track, expresses Collins’ desire to be an iconoclast whereas the pop-influenced ‘Stuck’, featuring 6arelyhuman, transports everyone into a Y2K hyperpop phase for two minutes, both outlining Collins’ talent in appealing to the masses and trying her hand at every possible genre.
Ending with her most emotional track to date, ‘Climax’ captures the fear of change and being left behind. The mellow ballad emphasises how nothing lasts forever, finding Collins coming to terms with life. “I wanted to grow up / Now I’m scared to age,” she admits. “A heart full of love is easier to break / ‘Cause when there comes pleasure / There always comes pain.”
Overall, Hot Singles In Your Area serves as a powerful insight into Scene Queen’s versatility. She’s an artist who wears her heart on her sleeve, an artist who’s unafraid to say it how it is; with a debut album this impactful and dynamic, she will inevitably continue to grow into her power and inspire the younger generation in the most supportive way. If there’s one thing that stands out from this record, it’s that people need to take a page from Collins’ book. Let people say whatever they want about you, only you know the truth and you will come out on top. Just look at how it’s all working out for Scene Queen!
Niki Davidson
★★★★★