When Audrey Hobert dropped her debut single “Sue Me” in May, the backlash was swift. When she sang the chorus “Sue me, I want to be wanted," fans were uncomfortable.
This isn’t due to the music itself, but because Hobert isn’t your typical-looking pop star. She kicks industry norms to the curb. There’s no heavy makeup, cosmetic work or a revealing wardrobe.
Because of this, social media users have ridiculed Hobert and often compare her to “weird girls,“ like Sue Heck from TV show, “The Middle." Even as she is ridiculed for standing out, Hobert continues to sing unabashedly about sex, love and self-image, even if she doesn’t look the part.
Pop music, specifically female pop, is defined by themes of sensuality, glamour and confidence. Stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande capture that vibe, captivating audiences with their presence and style. While their aesthetic and confidence are compelling, it can also be daunting. It’s important to recognize that embodying that same image isn't realistic or necessary for everyone.
Hobert and her music are a breath of fresh air. In a time where every woman wants to fit the “clean girl aesthetic,“ she prefers to lean into her quirkiness and individuality, even comparing herself to Pee-Wee Herman.
Hobert’s debut album, “Who’s the Clown,” dropped a week before I started my freshman year of college, and Hobert recognizes how tumultuous and scary this period of life can be, especially when you already feel like you don’t belong.
Hobert reminisces on the difficulty of making friends during her freshman year at New York University, stating, “I was just so pissed off thinking nobody knows how cool and great I am, and I have to prove it to people." Hobert’s refusal to conform, to “quiet down," is reassuring.
For listeners like me in a similar situation freshman year, it's intimidating to see how easily everyone else finds friendship and community so quickly while simply being themselves. Hobert isn’t afraid to be open about how the advice “be yourself” doesn’t work for all of us.
“Who’s the Clown” opens with the track “I Like to Touch People," where Hobert repeats the line, “‘What do you like to do?’ Well, I'd pretend to think, then I'd say ‘I like to touch people Some listeners have said this track is their least favorite because it’s “too weird.” If you get it, you get it, and if you don’t, you don’t.
Hobert is singing directly to her weird girl audience. “Touching people” means getting people to like you. When she sings, “I like when they nod wide-eyed screaming, ‘so right,‘" she is relishing the feeling of somebody liking you and enjoying what you say. Most people take that feeling for granted.
In “Phoebe," Hobert sings “Cause why else would you want me? / I think I've got a f-ked up face / And that thought used to haunt me / 'Til it fell in its sweet embrace Hobert isn’t afraid to call herself “ugly” or “unlovable” throughout the entire album, another reassuring factor in a society that preaches self-love.
Self-love shouldn’t mean striving to be the prettiest and kindest. It’s being candid about who you are, even if it means not loving how you look.
On the standout single “Bowling Alley,” Hobert sings “I strip down south 'cause I'm the naked neighbor / It's a choice, or am I cursed? It's a toss-up.” Calling herself the naked neighbor, Hobert calls out to anybody who feels like they have to wear a costume to “fit in."
Being your authentic self can feel like being naked, which is terrifying, but experiencing this album and Hobert’s rawness is comforting. I would describe myself as the “naked neighbor,” and I’m sure others can relate. It’s hard to fit in when you have to fake it.
While other artists capture certain parts of the female experience, Hobert’s personality and music are the most relatable to me. Women across the world are obsessed with Hobert’s frankness, saying she “writes music for girls who were told they were ‘a lot
Feeling like you are too much can be overwhelming. Hobert’s advice? “I let it pass through me and leave
It’s a simple motto, but it captures Hobert’s essence. Embrace the mess, be yourself and let it go.
Abby Shriver is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Abby about their column? Email them at as064024@ohio.edu
