Here at Studio One, we do the best we can to keep up with the best new music, but every once in a while we miss something. We’re glad to have discovered Baby Rose when we did, but it was a bit of a reality check to learn that she recorded an NPR Tiny Desk Concert … in 2019.
Although she’s new to us, Baby Rose has been around for a while, and has accomplished a lot in the past decade. After releasing her debut mixtape in 2017, she started appearing on other artists’ releases and studied online at the Berklee College of Music during the pandemic. She’s now released three full-length albums, and has toured with Vince Staples and Olivia Dean, among others.
Baby Rose’s third album, YEARNALISM, was released in July, so we’re not too late to the party here. From a musical and production standpoint, it’s equal parts classic soul and indie rock, held together by her unique and powerful voice. Lyrically, most of the songs follow a similar arc, built around the stages of a breakup and finding peace afterward.
What makes “Better” stand out is its big, defiant chorus. It gives the impression of someone who’s had their heart broken, but is now choosing joy and prioritizing themselves. Give the song a listen, read along with these lyrics, and imagine singing them with a crowd at one of Baby Rose’s performances. You’ll be instant best friends with the people standing next to you:
"Think I got used to you letting me down / How can you ask me to keep you around? / You know I'm better than that / (You know I'm better than that) / Don't act surprised by the way I'm leaving / You know I can't take you back / (You know I can't take you back) / Can't hurt myself just to save your feelings / You know me better than that (Oh, oh)."
YEARNALISM is available on Bandcamp and streaming services, along with the rest of Baby Rose’s music. She has more dates with Olivia Dean this month, if you’re up for traveling to New York City or Austin. If not, let’s keep our fingers crossed for 2027!
