Genre: Pop Label: Amusement / Island
Chappel Roan’s debut album, The Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess, represents her journey of self-expression and transformation. The album blends pop and indie and explores themes of longing, heartache, and identity. The album’s title reflects both Roan’s rise in fame and the struggles that is inherited in it, while also paying homage to her roots in the midwest.
Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, professionally known as Chappell Roan is a pop artist from Willard, Missouri. She first gained attention by uploading her videos to YouTube and performing in parks, showcasing her talent. She became a notable figure in the LGBTQIA + community, embracing her identity as an openly queer artist. She is best known for her drag queen style and makeup, which has publicly shaped her music and persona.
Even though Roan; 's album was released towards the end of last year, it wasn’t until 2024 that she sparkled. Her 2024 non-album song, “Good Luck Babe” drew immediate attention to her and from there many people realized her talent. She embraces her femininity with Feminiominon, a track that blends synth-pop and electro-pop, creating a modern and atmospheric sound. Femininomenon word created by Chappell Roan, combining "feminine" and "phenomenon”. The song is instantly a feminist anthem.
Roan embraces the party girl side of her and boldly shows pride in her sexuality with playful irreverence. “Telling secrets there on the mattress. Wearing nothing but glitter and lashes…’ Making out while the world collapses” is a perfect example of who Chappel Roan is. Tracks like After Midnight, Super Graphic Modern Ultra Girl, and Hot To Go celebrate liberation, indulgence, and desire, embracing the beautiful chaos in party culture while exploring themes of sensuality and self-expression. With proactive imagery lyrics and confident imagery, Roan portrays a modern woman who is unapologetically in control of her sexuality, and by the sounds of it, it took a while for Roan to truly figure out who she was.
Naked In Manhattan was written when Roan was dating a man and was still coming to terms with her attraction to women, Roan even sings, "Boys suck and girls I never tried." Naked in Manhattan paired with Red Wine Supernova was Roan ‘wish-casting’ for her first gay crush. By the way, Red Wine Supernova has one of the most iconic lines in it: “heard you like magic, I got a wand and a rabbit, blending fantasy and attraction inviting listeners into her fantastical and sensual world through wit. Pink Pony Club also blends that fantasy with Roan describing a night out in a gay club.
While Red Wine Supernova is more of the happier side of falling in love, Roan balances this out with more of the sadder features that come with love. Casual and Coffee illustrates the continuously toxic patterns that come with heartbreak. Picture You and Guilty Pleasure is the more seductive and thrilling side of desire.
Since Roan is a queer artist, the majority of her songs focus on queer relationships and the nuances that come with it. Kaleidoscope likens the multifaceted nature of love to the changing colors of a kaleidoscope, capturing the emotional depth and fluidity of romantic experiences. Another amazing metaphorical layer that was creative is that a kaleidoscope is colorful and the song heightens queer love. Roan solidifies that she is a well-rounded writer and storyteller.
Through all this fame, Roan never forgets where she started. Through California, she tells the story of her career. She alludes to how the Sunshine State may not have always been nice to her. She yearns for her hometown Missouri. Nonetheless, it is a good thing that Roan saw it through.
Pitchfork rated this album a 7.2/10. Metacritic rated this album 85%. I would agree with Metacritic and I would also rate this album 85%. If you would like to follow my playlist for all my favorite songs from the albums I reviewed, click here.
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