Some may argue that sequels aren’t as good as the originals. And that might ring true, especially in cinema, when studios want to milk a successful movie by making two, three or even four more of that. In music, we’ve observed a rise in that phenomenon too. Shygirl is the latest artist to do so with Club Shy Room 2, a six-track EP that follows her acclaimed 2024 record Club Shy. But we’re very happy that the METAL cover star has decided to continue on her project, which explores club culture through her unique gaze.
In a recent post on Instagram, the London-based multi-hyphenate revealed that she “started this project with @oscarscheller in our bedrooms over zoom back in 2020 just looking for a way to have fun and it ended up bringing together a VIP club of friends and artists I LOVE!” Indeed, Shygirl has such an interesting point of view and a refreshing take on beat-making that she’s caught the attention of artists like Björk, Charli XCX, Sega Bodega, Empress Of, or Boys Noize. For her newest EP, she’s teamed up with other impressive artists including Isabella Lovestory, Mura Masa, Bambii, Jorja Smith, Yseult, SadBoi, Saweetie, and PinkPantheress, showcasing her ability to bridge different music genres and a wide array of talent.
If in Club Shy we saw the artist overcome heartbreak by losing herself on the dancefloor and finding solace in friendship, nighttime, and strobing lights, Club Shy Room 2 takes us to the VIP backstage were girls are kikiing, vibing to the music effortlessly, slaying, and just being the coolest in the club. This EP feels like the listener is granted access to know what happens behind the scenes, like you’ve got together with the people wearing the all-access wristbands and can hang out with them.
Lyrics-wise, Shygirl continues to craft a universe that’s plastic, artificial, somewhat shallow yet full of memorable one-liners. It’s all about exuding confidence and promoting self-love, of getting together with your girlfriends to have a good time, to be that baddest bitches in the club (or any space you inhabit), and to just shine bright in your own light. Straight away in Je M'Apelle, the opener, and co-produced by Mura Masa, she sings: “Put respect on my check, bitch / I don't need the fame / No blue tick or guest list / Five-star Michelin.” Cold as ice, Shygirl!
That triumphant attitude continues in Flex, her track with Toronto star Bambii. Over a trap beat, they make nods to Gwen Stefani (“No lie, I'ma holla back if I only had time”), empower themselves (“When I hit the stage, they don't wanna leave / Everywhere I go, bitches wanna be me”), and have fun while flirting and seducing people in the club (“Pull up on me like a red light / Saw me in the club and I got you heated / Now you in line 'cause you tryna eat it,” as well as “Can you get it up, boy? Finna get a ho down, lick shots / I don't wanna cruise, just drive-by / Roll real steady, I'ma take you for a joyride”).
In Immaculate, ironically things get even more explicit when Saweetie joins the party. The chorus sticks like [insert any sticky substance of your liking] — the repeated lyrics “Pussy be the gun, pussy, pussy be the gun” truly becomes an anthem on its own. Celebrating the divine feminine (the pussy, that is), both artists speak to their generation when mentioning astrology (“I'm the it girl of the it girls, and my Venus in Taurus”), fashion-related pointless lyrics that we the gays adooore (“Bitch, look, pose, walk, Dior”), and collective hating on straight men (“These boys too quick for the charity / School these yutes, come Shygirl Academy / High grade, I'ma have to hit 'em with the double D”).
In F*Me, again co-produced by Mura Masa, a more club-oriented techno beat is the base for Shygirl and Yseult to go head to head and relish in their sexual desire. The title doesn’t leave anything to the imagination: these girls are horny and want someone to put off their fire (“Fuck it, have me when you like”). But don’t get it twisted: they know their worth (“Independent like me, bitch / Watch me work it, I'm vibe rich”), so they won't settle for anything below their high standards.
The last two songs are explosion of talent, with a couple of feature artists in each: we start with Jorja Smith and SadBoi in Wifey, where becoming a wife is a fantasy and a state of mind. Again, these bitches know their worth and reach for the stars. To conclude the album, Shygirl teams up with Isabella Lovestory and PinkPantheress to deliver True Religion, where they show their true rapping skills to close it off.
Again, Club Shy Room 2 is a perfect record to party even if it’s not as club-oriented as the first EP. In it, Shygirl proves that women rule music, they’re delivering the most interesting works, and we need to keep pushing for them to have more spaces to showcase their talent.