Rising pop princess Chappell Roan dropped her debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” on Friday. While the 14-track record is Roan’s first full-length album, 10 of the album’s songs are already fan favorites that were previously released as singles.
The album only featured 4 never-heard-before songs, which included “After Midnight,” “Coffee,” “Picture You,” and “Guilty Pleasure.”
The songstress’ sound mixes the queerness of FLETCHER and the signature bubblegum pop of MARINA (formally Marina and the Diamonds). And her no-holding-back lyricism may be familiar, as many of Roan’s songs are co-written and produced by Dan Nigro, who’s known for producing Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR (2021) and GUTS (2023).
Femininomenon– 10/10
This is the ultimate “girly-pop” song. For the uninitiated, Urban Dictionary defines this term as someone who is “constantly slaying and has everyone captivated with every move,” and this song does that. It’s a fuck-you to the patriarchy in the most upbeat way.
Red Wine Supernova – 9.5/10
This song was released mid-summer, and it quickly became my summer anthem. It also has one of the most iconic lines: “I heard you like magic / I got a wand and a rabbit.” And if you don’t get that line, Roan is probably not the artist for you.
After Midnight – 7/10
“After Midnight” is a brand-new song and sound from Roan. It’s a feel-good song about what can happen after midnight that feels straight out of the 80’s with its eccentric sound and synth-fueled backdrop.
Coffee – 7.5/10
Roan is one of the few artists who can do it all. While she triumphs in hyperpop, her incredible voice lends itself to equally triumphant ballads and catchy, in-your-feels songs. “Coffee” is one of those songs, and you can’t help but fall in love with Roan’s unforgettable, indescribable vocals.
Casual – 9/10
One day last fall, this song found itself on my Spotify recommended list, and I’ve never been more grateful. This song introduced me to Roan, and I’ve been her biggest fan since. When I say “no-holding-back lyricism,” this song is what I mean. It’s one of the most beautiful songs on the record, yet simultaneously, one of the most salacious.
Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl – 9/10
This song feels very “2010 Lady Gaga” in the best way. Roan has proven time and time again that she’s an artist for the girls, the gays, and the theys. And she speaks for all of us when she says we’re tired of the super mega bummer boys. We do want super graphic ultra modern girls.
HOT TO GO! – 10/10
I’d be lying if I said I haven’t listened to this on repeat since its release in August and practiced the YMCA-style dance that goes with it for Oct. 28 when Roan makes her star-studded entrance in New Orleans at the Joy Theater. “HOT TO GO!” is truly a cheerleader song for the girl on the bleachers.
My Kink is Karma – 10/10
There’s no doubt about it: this is a bad bitch song. It’s a song about reclaiming your power after being screwed over by an ex and watching them crumble while you’re killing it. It completely validates the age-old saying that “karma is a bitch.”
Picture You – 10/10
*Sigh* – that’s how this song opens, and that’s exactly how it feels to listen to it, like a sigh after a long day. It’s poetic, utterly masterful, and gives me all the feels.
Kaleidoscope – 8/10
This song was hard to rate. It’s the most gut-wrenching story about unrequited queer love, penned solely by Roan. She introduced the song on her Naked in North America tour in the spring by telling the audience that the song was about her first time falling in love, adding that she had fallen in love with her best friend, and it didn’t work out. Roan didn’t go into details, but it’s a story that many queer folks know all too well.
Pink Pony Club – 10/10
“Pink Pony Club” is arguably one of Roan’s best songs. Roan says this song is about embracing her queerness and an homage to drag culture, which she further supports by having drag queens at all of her shows, despite drag bans in certain states. Roan released this song in 2020, before being dropped by her label, Atlantic Records.
Naked in Manhattan – 10/10
In the height of the pandemic, after being dropped from her record label, Roan worked odd jobs and contemplated leaving the music industry. But Roan, being the pink pony girl that she is, continued to write music. Fortunately, for us, she later signed a publishing deal with Sony and teamed up with Nigro again to release this queer anthem. “Naked in Manhattan” is a song that never fails to make me want to dance, and it has the makings to become a WLW anthem.
California – 9/10
This may be an unpopular opinion – sound off in the comments – but I love this song. It’s about Roan’s struggles being in Hollywood, trying to make it in the music industry where she feels she let her hometown (and herself) down by not making it in California. But if you ask me, staying in California paid off for this red wine supernova.
Guilty Pleasure – 9.5/10
This song feels crass, and I’ll admit: I wasn’t a fan at first. But after a few listens, I realized that it feels crass because that’s exactly how guilty pleasures feel. And this song is my ultimate guilty pleasure.
“The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” took me on the most magical, exhilarating journey. It made me want to dance, cry, and scream at the top of my lungs all at the same time. It also left me with the most immense queer joy. Roan is the next queer pop icon, and I’m just happy to be along for the ride, as she takes the music world by storm.
“The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” is now available on Apple Music and Spotify.
