With a South London accent, thrumming bass and repeating synths, Shygirl is anything but what her name implies. Shygirl (Blane Muise) creates an addictive, confident and sexual soundscape, made only complete with ultra low-rise denim and sequin multi-colored halter tops. Her sultry tone blends effortlessly with an almost abrasive beat, furthering the mid-2000s renaissance.
Following the popular “Club Shy” EP released in 2024, Shygirl reprises and refines her sound in “Club Shy Room 2” with features like Saweetie, PinkPantheress and Jorja Smith. With only six tracks, the EP is dripping with desire, yet perfectly complete. “Je M’appelle” sets the simple, yet demanding, tone. In the empowering opening track, Shygirl boldly asks listeners to call her by her name and asserts her position in the VIP section.
As if meant to be listened to in a large, echoing warehouse with sweaty dancing bodies shoving against you, the assertive and hypnotizing beat of “F*Me” feels high-stakes, reminiscent of brash decisions and chasing after desire. Shygirl also flirts with promiscuity when repeating “have me when you like.”
Smith’s voice flows smoothly with the engaging and rhythmic beat of “Wifey Riddim,” largely differing from Smith’s typical ballad sound. The track perfectly sums up the core themes of unapologetic love and self-worth in “Club Shy Room 2.” Smith embraces self-desire and makes exterior validation an unimportant matter when she sings, “You like me the way I am, don’t need to change a thing / Too busy hustling, but, baby, you can buy the ring.”
“True Religion” combines aspects of techno, house and afrobeat to create a tension-filled, yet playful, track about life as a webcam girl — a phenomenon closely associated with the early 2000s. Despite the two features on this track, Shygirl allows each artist to breathe. PinkPantheress raps in usual falsetto and airy fashion, complementing Shygirl’s blunt register. Isabella Lovestory sings in Spanish, her bratty tone infusing an additional layer of haughty impatience on the track.
Carnal desire finds its rawest and most undeniable moment in “Immaculate,” an ironic, almost sacrilegious ode to the female form. The 808 thrums relentlessly as Saweetie delivers sultry verses, punctuated by Shygirl’s blunt ad-libs.
The track “Flex” denies allegations about the intimidating nature of self-confidence. Over a beat reminiscent of peak Timbaland, Shygirl and BAMBII asked, “Could you handle that? / What you got could be mine / I’m a real one, only ride, never die / Be your main squeeze, no tings on the side.”
Throughout the sexual haze of “Club Shy Room 2,” two things remain crystal clear: self-confidence is hot, and the mid-2000s are in full-swing, twenty years later.
4 ultra low rise jeans out of 5
