Fake It Flowers, the debut studio album by beabadoobee, marks a shift from the lo-fi bedroom pop of her earlier EPs toward a louder, more guitar-heavy sound rooted in 90s alternative rock. Released in 2020, it follows a string of acoustic-driven releases that established her as a rising voice in Gen Z indie circles. This album pushes her out of that quiet comfort zone and into the broader noise of alt-rock revivalism.

The change is both bold and deliberate. Drawing inspiration from bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and Veruca Salt, beabadoobee clearly set out to recreate the raw, unfiltered angst that defined a certain era of rock. In interviews, she’s talked about wanting to be more honest and vulnerable, channeling personal experiences into music that feels both nostalgic and new.

Sonic Exploration

The production on Fake It Flowers lands in a curious middle ground. It leans into a grungy, analog aesthetic, but it doesn’t quite embrace the full fuzz and chaos of its 90s influences. The guitars are layered with intention, and the distortion feels calculated rather than raw. It’s clear that the album is aiming for a certain type of sonic nostalgia. Still, at times it can come off as too polished to fully evoke the era it references.

From a mixing perspective, everything sits in its right place. Vocals are front and center, rarely drowned by the instrumental swells. That helps maintain the emotional clarity of the songs, even when the arrangements start to feel repetitive. The production serves the mood well enough, supporting themes of teen angst and introspection without overwhelming them. Yet, there are moments when you wish the edges were a little rougher, a little less contained.

Instrumentally, the album sticks close to the basics of alt-rock. Guitar riffs dominate, backed by steady basslines and drum patterns that play it safe more often than not. Tracks like “Care” and “Worth It” show off the formula at its most effective, layering catchy hooks with a bittersweet tone. But innovation is scarce. The arrangements are solid, sometimes even striking, but they rarely surprise.

In terms of genre, Fake It Flowers is firmly planted in 90s alternative rock with a few grunge touches. There are echoes of shoegaze and punk here and there, but these influences feel more like seasoning than substance. Rather than blending genres in a new way, the album mostly repurposes old sounds. It’s a loving recreation, not a reinvention. For some listeners, that familiarity will be comforting. For others, it might feel a little too safe.

Lyrical Analysis

Lyrically, Fake It Flowers feels deeply personal, though it rarely strays from the familiar terrain of youth, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The central themes revolve around emotional pain, growing up, and the tangled aftermath of toxic relationships. There’s a sense of catharsis running through the record, as if beabadoobee is trying to process her past one song at a time.

Many of the lyrics are straightforward, almost diaristic in their honesty. This bluntness can be powerful, especially when it lands in contrast to the soft, melodic delivery. But it can also come across as simplistic. The emotional intent is there, but the lyrical execution doesn’t always go beyond the surface.

There are recurring motifs of escape, regret, and fragile self-worth. Songs like “Dye It Red” and “Charlie Brown” revisit the themes of identity and control, hinting at deeper struggles without fully diving into them. The lyrics often feel like fragments of journal entries, which lends authenticity but can leave the listener wishing for more cohesion or narrative arc.

Still, the emotional impact is clear. When beabadoobee sings about feeling isolated or misunderstood, it resonates. The rawness of her words makes the emotions feel lived-in, even if the phrasing lacks complexity. There’s an unfiltered charm to her vulnerability, though it sometimes risks leaning into melodrama.

Cohesion and Flow

Fake It Flowers plays like a scrapbook of emotional outbursts and quiet reflections, stitched together by its consistent sonic palette more than by any strong narrative arc. The album’s flow is steady, if not particularly dynamic. Tracks often bleed into one another with a similar tempo and tone, which helps maintain a consistent mood but can also lead to a sense of monotony by the midpoint.

There’s a loose emotional progression, starting with defiance and anger in songs like “Care,” then gradually moving toward introspection and sorrow in the latter half. However, the shifts in mood feel subtle and underdeveloped. The absence of a clear storyline or concept makes the transitions between tracks feel more incidental than intentional.

Thematically, the album stays within its emotional wheelhouse. It doesn’t veer far from its central themes of hurt, identity, and adolescence. That consistency works in its favor when trying to create an atmosphere, but it also limits the emotional range. There are few surprises in tone or perspective as the album unfolds.

Stylistically, the songs are unified by their 90s alt-rock influence. While that lends the album a clear identity, it also results in tracks that start to blend into each other. Without much variation in structure or instrumentation, the second half of the album struggles to hold attention.

Standout Tracks and Moments

While Fake It Flowers often plays it safe, there are a few tracks that rise above the haze and offer glimpses of beabadoobee’s sharper instincts as a songwriter and performer.

Care

“Care” opens the album with a punch of distorted guitar and a chorus that hits with unexpected energy. It’s one of the rare moments where the production, lyrics, and vocal delivery align to create something both catchy and cathartic.

Sorry

“Sorry” stands out for its emotional weight. The track builds slowly, layering melancholy lyrics over swelling instrumentation. The line “I never wanna think twice with what could’ve been your love/ And I’m Sorry” is disarmingly direct, and the way it’s delivered—soft but with a creeping intensity—captures one of the most vulnerable points on the album.

Back to Mars

“Back to Mars” is another key moment, breaking from the louder alt-rock formula to offer a more stripped-down, ethereal sound. It shows that when beabadoobee steps outside her comfort zone, the results can be striking. It’s brief, but it lingers.

Charlie Brown

Instrumentally, the outro of “Charlie Brown” deserves mention. The track closes with a drawn-out guitar fade that encapsulates the record’s sense of emotional drift. It’s not a dramatic climax, but its mood sticks with you longer than some of the more forceful moments.

Artistic Contribution and Innovation

In the current wave of 90s revivalism that runs through both indie and mainstream circles, Fake It Flowers fits in rather than stands out. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent alternative rock, nor does it challenge the conventions of its genre. Instead, it acts more as a love letter to a bygone era, carefully reconstructing the sounds of grunge, dream pop, and post-punk with a modern sheen.

This approach has its charm, but it limits the album’s impact in terms of innovation. While beabadoobee’s decision to pivot away from lo-fi bedroom pop toward a heavier, band-oriented sound does represent growth within her own discography, the move feels more like a genre exercise than a bold artistic leap. The influences are worn on her sleeve, and at times, the album feels more derivative than distinctive.

That said, the personal perspective she brings to this sound gives it a degree of freshness. Her lyrics, while sometimes simple, reflect the specific emotional texture of a young woman navigating identity and vulnerability. This viewpoint, paired with a familiar sound, helps the album speak to a new generation without necessarily saying anything new.

In terms of artistic contribution, Fake It Flowers doesn’t reshape the genre, but it does reinforce the continuing appeal of 90s aesthetics among younger artists. It’s more a sign of where alternative pop is trending than a statement that redefines it. For a debut, it’s confident in tone but cautious in ambition. The result is an album that plays its role well, even if it doesn’t try to rewrite the script.

Closing Thoughts

Fake It Flowers is an album that captures a specific mood with clarity but not always with depth. Its strengths lie in its earnest emotional tone, its solid if safe production, and its ability to channel the raw energy of 90s alt-rock through a fresh, personal lens. Tracks like “Care” and “Sorry” showcase beabadoobee’s potential to craft affecting, memorable songs, while the quieter moments hint at directions that could yield more innovative results in the future.

However, the album is held back by its predictability. The sonic palette, though cohesive, becomes repetitive, and the lyrics, while heartfelt, sometimes lack the nuance needed to elevate the emotional storytelling. There’s a sense that Fake It Flowers is more about reclaiming a sound than pushing it forward.

As a debut studio album, it establishes beabadoobee’s identity but does so with caution. It’s a record that may resonate deeply with fans of its influences and those looking for an honest expression of teenage disillusionment. Yet for others, it might feel more like a stepping stone than a destination.

Official Rating: 7/10

This score reflects an album that is competent and occasionally compelling, but not quite groundbreaking. It’s a promising foundation, one that suggests beabadoobee has more to offer as she grows into her voice and style. Fake It Flowers doesn’t fully bloom, but the roots are strong.