Hi everyone. It’s Anthony Stirford from Anthony XO.Music. Today, I’m back with a review of the new Madison Beer album, locket. This piece serves as a Madison Beer Locket Album Review, analyzing her artistic evolution. New York singer-songwriter Madison Beer first gained major attention after Justin Bieber shared a link to her cover of “At Last.” She later released her debut EP, As She Pleases, in 2018. In 2021, she followed it up with her debut studio album, Life Support, which received positive reviews, particularly for her vocal performance. In 2023, she released her second album, Silence Between Songs, which was also well received for its emotional delivery and restrained tone.
In this Madison Beer Locket Album Review, we’ll delve into how her sound has evolved over the years, showcasing her growth as an artist.
Her early projects, As She Pleases and Life Support, leaned heavily into pop and R&B, with more intense and expressive vocal performances. On Silence Between Songs, however, the production shifted toward dream pop, and her vocals became slower, softer, and more introspective.
Now in 2026, Madison Beer returns with a brand new project, locket. This album works as a sequel to Silence Between Songs, continuing its emotional atmosphere while adjusting the sonic palette. The production leans back toward a more old-school pop approach, blending pop with elements of electronic music, dance-pop, and R&B. locket feels different from her earlier work, yet it still shares clear similarities with Silence Between Songs, especially in its dreamy vocal delivery. While many tracks feature upbeat instrumentals, Beer keeps her vocals slow and airy to express vulnerability after heartbreak. On a few songs, her vocal tone and delivery reminded me of Billie Eilish. Overall, it’s an interesting album, and one that raises the question of whether this could become a defining moment in Beer’s career.
The album opens with “locket theme,” which works as a perfect introduction. The track carries an immediate sense of nostalgia, and Beer’s vocals feel dreamy and almost fairy-like. I honestly loved it on first listen, which is why it earns a 4 out of 5 from me.
Next up is “yes baby,” an unapologetically bold track that was released in September 2025 following “make you mine.” The production leans into an ’80s-inspired electro-pop sound with shimmering synths, giving it a siren-like quality that reminded me of Charli XCX’s Brat. I was impressed by Beer’s vocals in the first verse, and the lyrics initially felt strong. However, the chorus was a letdown for me, relying almost entirely on the repeated hook “yes baby, yes.” That repetition weakens the momentum built in the verse. While Beer’s vocal performance remains strong, the chorus lyrics are disappointing. Still, her delivery carries the track enough for me to give it a 4 out of 5.
The third track, “angel wings,” blends ’90s R&B with alternative pop. It features a heavy, heated bass layered with mellow synths and melodic pads. Beer opens the song with an airy intro that briefly recalls Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves,” before transitioning into a harmonized chorus. The track has its flaws, though. The rattling bass in the outro feels unnecessary, and some of the lyrics stay at a surface level. That said, the hook, “It’s easier pretending you have angel wings,” is undeniably catchy. Overall, I’d give this one a strong 3.5 out of 5.
The sixth track, “you’re still everything,” stands out as the emotional centerpiece of the album. Built around gentle production elements like airy synths and pared-back piano, the track moves at a slow pace that allows its emotions to fully breathe. I really appreciate the depth of the lyrics here, as well as Beer’s controlled vocal performance, which conveys raw vulnerability without overdoing it. The hook, “How am I nothing to you, while you’re still everything to me?” is especially effective. This track earns a solid 4 out of 5 from me.
“bittersweet” is one of the strongest pillars of the album and feels like a genuine breakthrough moment for Madison Beer. The production is elegant and atmospheric, built on soft synth pads and retro-inspired beats. Beer’s breathy, dreamy vocals shine here and are reminiscent of Ariana Grande, particularly her Eternal Sunshine era. I also noticed similarities to Grande’s “we can’t be friends (waiting for your love).” Lyrically, the song leans into sad-girl tropes, exploring the emotional aftermath of a breakup. I enjoyed nearly everything about this track, which is why it earns a very strong 4.5 out of 5 and stands as one of the album’s best songs.
The tenth track, “make you mine,” is not only the best song on locket but could arguably be the best track of Beer’s career so far. Released back in February 2024, the song brought her millions of streams, widespread acclaim, and even a Grammy nomination, while becoming her highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100. The production is upbeat, driven by nocturnal synths, heavy bass, and a dance-floor-ready pulse similar to sounds found on Silence Between Songs. While the production fits perfectly within the locket era, the real highlight is Beer’s vocal performance. She manages to maintain emotional depth while riding energetic instrumentals. The track’s unapologetic boldness defines the era perfectly, making this an easy 5 out of 5 for me.
That said, locket is not a filler-free album. “healthy habit” stands out as the weakest moment, as it fails to leave a lasting impression. Its repetitive structure and overall length contribute to the album feeling shorter than it should. For me, this track lands at a 2 out of 5.
The closing track, “nothing at all,” also feels like filler. Its production is fairly standard and doesn’t align well with the upbeat energy that precedes it. The lack of a clear hook further weakens its impact. While I acknowledge the song’s lyrical depth, the inconsistent production prevents it from fully landing, making it another filler track in my view.
Overall, Madison Beer’s third album, locket, is a worthwhile effort. It features several standout moments and elegant production throughout, blending retro textures with occasional bursts of upbeat electronic energy. Beer’s vocals remain a major strength, striking a balanced tone across different sounds and moods. While the album isn’t without its flaws and includes a couple of filler tracks, it remains an enjoyable and confident release.
Rating: 7.31/10
Locket Tier List:
- Great: make you mine
- Perfect: yes baby, you’re still everything, bittersweet, and bad enough
- Good: angel wings and complexity
- Average: for the night
- Worst: healthy habit and nothing at all