Rivkah Reyes - Fan Favorite EP
For much of her life, Rivkah Reyes has been known as the girl in the band, most notably as Katie, the bass-playing youngster in the beloved 2003 comedy School of Rock. But with Reyes' debut EP, Fan Favorite, which will be out November 6, 2026, Reyes is ready to step into the spotlight on her own terms. A six-song introduction to her musical identity, the EP is a delightfully messy collision of bubble grunge, emo pop, and Sapphic rock, packed with crunchy guitars, bratty attitude, confessional songwriting, and plenty of unapologetic personality.
Produced by Constantine Anastasakis, Fan Favorite feels like a diary that's been left open on purpose. Drawing inspiration from an eclectic collection of pop and rock icons, including Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Rosalía, Hayley Williams, Hole, and Joan Jett, Reyes balances theatricality with emotional vulnerability. Her songs explore the complicated territory of almost-relationships, unhealthy attachments, romantic delusion, and the desire to be wanted. There's plenty of humour in her self-deprecating observations, but beneath the cheeky delivery is someone willing to confront her own shortcomings.
The EP's opening track “Menace” immediately establishes the EP's more chaotic emotional territory. Inspired by a rooftop hookup with an ex, the song examines addiction and the vicious cycles that can emerge when one unhealthy fixation is replaced by another. Reyes brings an unfiltered honesty to the subject, acknowledging the self-destructive decisions we sometimes make even when we know better. It's a messy, compelling introduction that sets the tone for the emotional roller coaster ahead.
“Katie” offers a particularly personal nod to Reyes' past, referencing the character that first introduced her to audiences in School of Rock. Rather than allowing that early association to define her, she playfully incorporates it into a project that makes clear there's considerably more to her story. “Ugly Cry” shifts into catchy power-pop territory, pairing an infectious, brooding hook with brutally honest observations about disorganized attachment and the exhausting push-and-pull of relationships. Reyes admits to sometimes enjoying the yearning more than the relationship itself, turning an uncomfortable personal revelation into an undeniably fun singalong.
“Debt Collector” brings a more bittersweet edge to the collection. Written in the aftermath of a breakup and an awkwardly timed Lorde concert attended with the same ex, the track captures the emotional absurdity of trying to move forward while still being tangled up in the past. Meanwhile, the track, “Loopholes,” continues the EP's exploration of romantic complications before “Miss Congeniality” delivers a confident, emo-tinged Y2K pop rock finish to the project. Inspired by Sandra Bullock's iconic character, the track combines crunchy guitars, full-body momentum, and a sharp sense of humour, while still allowing a bruised vulnerability to peek through.
What makes Fan Favorite particularly engaging is Reyes' ability to find humour in emotional dysfunction without diminishing the feelings behind it. Her songwriting is candid, occasionally ridiculous, and refreshingly self-aware. There's an appealing balance between the oversized personalities of her influences and the intimacy of her own experiences, giving the EP the feeling of a late-night confession delivered with a wink and a perfectly timed guitar riff.
Although Reyes has spent years working across music, film, and television, Fan Favorite feels like the introduction she's been waiting to make. It's bratty, vulnerable, feral, and wonderfully unfiltered, establishing an artistic identity that doesn't rely on nostalgia or her childhood acting career. Instead, she embraces every messy part of growing up, falling in love, making questionable decisions, and figuring out how to love yourself along the way.
With Fan Favorite, Rivkah Reyes proves that being everyone's favourite isn't nearly as important as becoming your own. It's a punchy, personality-filled debut that leaves plenty of room for what's next.
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