“She’s the Best” by Troye Sivan might just be my album of the year.
Released Oct. 9, Sivan’s fourth studio album initially reminded me of millennial pop, but as I listened to it a few times over, I found it grew on me. The album’s lyricism and upbeat ambiance is perfect for a walk around campus, filling one with purpose and hope.
Sivan kept his signature energetic beats while implementing new elements reminiscent of classic ‘90s electronic dance influences like Madonna and French indie. Pop-culture icon Lily-Rose Depp played a part in shaping the album with her background vocals and monologues. Depp is a crucial part of the album because of her close ties to Sivan — he noted she supported and inspired him during his career, and the two worked together on “The Idol.”
The album presents themes ranging from confident self-expression to intimate emotional vulnerability through its 12-song line up.
The album commences with lead single “She’s the Best,” which gave me that initial “millennial hopecore” energy. The beat is light and fanciful, as Sivan celebrates his muse, who embodies charm, charisma and self-confidence. He sings, “She’s done looking back, she’s only looking ahead / Pretty, funny, can fight / She always knew she had something special in-inside.” I think this song was an excellent opener to the album, because of its positive and light sounds, which made me excited to keep listening.
This song easily created a sense of confidence, making me understand the kind of optimistic energy Sivan was trying to create. It feels like the kind of song that can change your mood without asking much from you.
“I Do This For You” is the fourth song on the album and my personal favorite, with a spirited beat making it difficult to not love. Sivan reflects on the emotional labor and devotion involved in intimate relationships. His repeated refrain, “I do this for you,” is such a simple sentence, and becomes infectious when combined with the bouncy beat.
Beneath the lively production was vulnerability. Paying closer attention to the lyrics made the song feel less like something made for entertainment and more like an honest reflection of Sivan’s true experiences. After “I Do This for You,” the album started to feel more genuine to me.
Something I find intriguing about this album is the raw honesty embedded in such beautiful rhythms. In "Embarrassingly," Sivan highlights this perfectly. He sings, “So, at least I can be alone / When I’m falling into you / Embarrassingly.” The song explores the awkward and intense facets of attraction, with his confessional tone capturing the embarrassment and thrill that often comes with intimate connection.
On the other hand, “FF” definitely was my least favorite track. The song centers on nuances of loyalty and transparency in relationships. While the message was admirable, it ultimately didn’t work for me. I would’ve opted for a more frustrated and passionate sound rather Sivan’s melodic approach.
If the song is supposed to be a message for his future partner based on the personal elements in his musicality — why is it so mundane? The song feels hollow, and the continuous chant of "FF" did not make me connect to the song because of the auto-tuned melodies. Even if you push the meaning of the song aside, its general sound is definitely not enjoyable.
Another personal favorite of mine was “Lost Time,” which features Depp. She starts out with a seductive French monologue that builds into Sivan’s reflection of nostalgia and regret of missed opportunities.
“Lost Time” was one of the songs that made me realize how much of the album relies on emotion rather than just its production. I liked how Sivan avoids being overly dramatic and instead effortlessly weaves the feelings of nostalgia into the music.
Sivan tells a story that communicates with modern-day thoughts and feelings, all driven by sharp and contemporary rhythms that dictate the album’s emotional cadence.
Each song captures a different part of relationships, ranging from confidence to vulnerability, which made the album feel personal even when the experiences weren’t my own. For example, searching for someone who hasn't shown up emotionally is something most people can connect to, and this message is apparent in "I Do This For You".
As someone only familiar with Sivan’s hits, such as “Rush” and “One Of Your Girls,” I didn’t consider myself an avid enthusiast before listening, but this album is definitely changing my mind.
The album’s 12 songs explore familiar experiences and emotions found in everyday life, and I would recommend this to anyone seeking thoughtful and engaging storytelling paired with infectious rhythms.
