Since Spotify introduced her to my “Discover Weekly” album a few months ago, I’ve had a growing obsession with the queer artist named Chappell Roan. With over a million listeners on Spotify already, what better time to talk about this artist who I think is going to make big waves in the music scene!
Who is Chappell Roan?
With her shock of fiery red hair, Chappell Roan is a 25 year-old American singer and songwriter who recently debuted their first album called The Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess. This dynamic album has a mixture of certified club bangers and soft, dreamy ballads. Chappell’s style is a bit over the top—but that’s what fans love about her! She fully embraces who she is and isn’t afraid to be different!
This cowgirl adorned in glitter is definitely someone to take note of. In an interview with The Washington Post she talks about what it was like growing up queer in a homophobic Christian community. What ultimately led to her finding herself was donning the drag persona under the stage name Chappell Roan. According to an interview she did with The Rolling Stone magazine, the name is to honour her deceased grandfather and his favourite song.
Chappell is on “The Midwest Princess Tour” as we speak. She’s known for going all out in her music videos and live shows—this girl loves a good theme. To spice things up, each show has a theme based on a song on the album. She even creates these handy inspiration boards to help inspire fans to dress up!
You might’ve also heard this name in relation to popstar Olivia Rodrigo, as the two are touring together for a portion of Rodrigo’s tour, “GUTS”, which will feature Chappell as the opener for several shows, including multiple Canadian venues like Montreal, QB, and Toronto, ON. Rodrigo’s tour starts on February 23, 2024, with Chappell, and the two will tour together until April 1st, 2024. Fun fact: Both artists use the same producer, Dan Nigro, for their albums.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into the album!
‘The Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess’ Album Breakdown
- Feminonmenon (explicit)
-
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess kicks us off with a dynamic song. It starts slow with a string instrument and warm vocals, before picking up the beat and becoming one you can dance to. Memorable lines include “Get it hot like Papa John” and “you’re folding his laundry/ got what you wanted, so stop feeling sorry” This song speaks to feeling restrained as a woman by what we are expected to do and men who are disappointing.
- Red Wine Supernova
-
This is the first song I ever heard of Chappell’s, and I was immediately hooked! Arguably, also one of my favourites. It’s speak-sing style with delicious callouts and ad libs mixed with layered vocals makes this song perfect for singing loudly with your friends! Ultimately it characterizes the experience of catching feelings for another girl in a lighthearted and comedic way. If you want to see Chappell dressed as a playboy bunny, check out her music video here!
- After Midnight
-
“After Midnight” is an easy-to-listen-to pop song that’s still sprinkled with frisky lyrics like: “I kinda wanna kiss your girlfriend if you don’t mind/ I love a little drama” This song is about the narrator wanting to be more wild and spontaneous while also feeling held back by the unspoken expectations around her.
- Coffee
-
As a subdued piano ballad, and a good one at that, the symbolism here about what “Coffee” means is layered thick. Lines like: “Nowhere else is safe, every place leads back to your place” lets us understand the song’s storyline where we learn about a failed romantic relationship with the narrator revisiting locations where they used to meet. With a solid conclusion, we realize that the narrator no longer wants to meet for coffee at all.
- Casual (explicit)
-
If you’ve ever wanted more from a romantic partner and they haven’t reciprocated, then this song is for you! With punchy lyrics: “Knee deep in the passenger seat and you’re eating me out/ Is it casual now?” How can I not be invested! The music video for this song is experimental and features Chappell making out with a mermaid, and honestly, while I’m here for the plot, I’m here for mermaid-core too.
- Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl
-
“Never waste a Friday night on a first date” This flirty dance-floor number is upfront about empowerment and self-expression. But ultimately, it’s really about finding a genuine connection with a girl to sweep you off your feet! Featuring space-makeup check out the video for the song here.
- HOT TO GO!
-
Listen up if you like to shake your tush! Giving hard YMCA dance vibes, there’s an actual dance you can learn to this beat. If you want to master it check out the music video here! The infectious energy of this song encourages listeners to feel confident and empowered in the decisions they make that bring them joy. Alluding again to pleasure and passion, the heat of this song is sure to melt the house down!
- My Kink Is Karma
-
Ranking high on my list of favourites, this one is all about good ol-fashioned karma! Sprinkled with lyrics about getting off to your ex’s downfall, this song gives satisfaction all around. So, not only does the music video go so seriously hard, but the song is just legit a badass anthem to help you move on from that toxic ex-someone.
- Picture You
-
Based on fantasy and obsession, this song is filled with immersive visuals, with the person of desire filling the landscape; however, it seems that the feeling isn’t totally mutual…sobbing. With hard-hitting emotional lines like: “Do you picture me like I picture you?/ Am I in the frame from your point of view?” I can’t help but feel my heartstrings tugged at throughout this devastating love song.
- Kaleidoscope
-
“Kaleidoscope” is another ballad with reflective lyrics like: “Love is a kaleidoscope, how it works, we’ll never know” but ultimately it’s about how love is constantly changing. Mixing emotions like nostalgia, confusion, and hope, we see how the narrator is affected by a past relationship. You can watch Chappell perform it live here.
- Pink Pony Club
-
With the music video for this song having over 1.1 million views, you can safely say it’s worth watching and a banger. Quoting VMagazine, this song is a “ballad that chronicles the tale of a girl who chases her dream of being a stripper.” But it’s also about self-acceptance, wanting more in life, and ultimately, finding the place where you belong. I attest that this one is worth listening to.
- Naked in Manhattan (explicit)
-
In theme with the title, this song is about being vulnerable. Starting off with a cute phone call recording, we are introduced a girl and her crush playing with temptation. The “will they or won’t they” idea is represented in the lyrics: “An inch away from more than just friends” With a fire pre-chorus this one’s worth checking out! The music video for this song is filmed in the 2000s camcorder style.
- California
-
Throwing me back in my feels, this song is about the singer’s aspirations to be a star but feeling like they are letting their younger self down. It’s about belonging and that sense of home that, while most of us miss, we don’t want to go back to, seen in emotional lines like: “Thought I’d be cool in California/ I’d make you proud” For a cute insider fan moment keep an eye out for the photo album of Chappell as a little girl in the official “California” lyric video.
- Guilty Pleasure
-
Explicitly about intimate desires and fantasies, this song reflects on how we all get up to a little naughty business every now and then—and we shouldn’t feel bad about it! With a bouncy beat, this song builds to beautiful vocalizations without any words, but the emotions emote anyways, and I’m here for it.
If you’ve made it this far—go you! Here’s a sweet treat for reading all the way. 🍭
If you still haven’t listened to the album yet, seriously what are you doing? Go! It’s right here, waiting for you!