A Beyoncé stan turned pop songwriter, the L.A.-based singer steps out with a major label debut that highlights her versatile vocals, winking humor, and close study of the Top 40.

Stephens is a pop student in a way that a former stan would be, and AUDACITY reads from an encyclopedia of acclaimed Black pop artists and producers: the percussive snap of opener “Crush” recalls Janet Jackson’s new-jack-swingy “Nasty.” “Gymnastics” and “Expensive & Difficult” feel closer to Timbaland’s shuddering pop production of the 2000s and the distorted dancefloor blur of Danja’s work on Blackout. Ashanti’s “Foolish” and Willow’s “Whip My Hair” both get name-checked on “B4U.” “I Miss the City” features a blinging harp melody akin to Brandy’s “All in Me,” produced by Darkchild.

The songs on AUDACITY, primarily written and produced by Stephens, Dallas Caton, and Lita Caputo, carefully follow classic pop structure: verse, pre-chorus, chorus, rinse, repeat, bridge, and occasionally a final chorus. For another artist, that could feel formulaic, but paired with the funny, horny songwriting and Stephens’ showoff vocal delivery, that’s not the case here. Like her favorite pop icons, her rich voice is essential to her music, and her belts and coos slice through layered production with ease. AUDACITY’s concision and momentum speak to Stephens’ skill for song construction, no doubt trained through her time writing for big-name artists; each bell twinkle, synth laser zap, and handclap feel highly considered, as if placed with tweezer tongs. While the record takes few true risks, it’s a more-than-effective showcase for her cheeky songwriting, vocal process, and facility with a pop hook. All that confidence isn’t misplaced.

Congrats to the rising star!!!

This is for the girls that have been around since beyoncebeytwice

Should've been an 8.0 but we take it

Omg congrats babe

i always knew audacity could produce bops

can't wait to listen this weekend