Glitter and Grit: Inside The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan
In the heart of the Ozarks, amidst a landscape painted with transition and conservative values, emerges a pop icon unlike any other. Chappell Roan, adorned in drag, glitter, and glitz, ignites a spark of rebellion against societal norms, daring to defy expectations with every dazzling step she takes. Raised in a community where queerness was often condemned, Roan’s transformation into a queer icon was as unforeseen as it was unstoppable.
At a mere 17 years old, Roan signed with Atlantic Records, bidding farewell to her hometown for the bustling streets of Los Angeles, California. While Atlantic Records may have dropped her after the release of her single “Pink Pony Club,” listeners are gravitating to the song years after its release. Inspired by West Hollywood gay bar The Abbey, Roan escapes the suburbs for L.A. nightclubs. Though this song ended a chapter of her career, it opened the door for The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
Released in September of 2023, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, co-written and produced by Dan Nigro, marks a significant milestone in Roan’s career: the debut album. Despite several tracks off the album being released prior to its full debut, new found audiences have propelled these songs to newfound heights, captivating fresh audiences along the way. Sharing the stage with Olivia Rodrigo on her “GUTS” tour from February 23rd to April 1st this year, Roan finds herself in the limelight, captivating audiences with her style and undeniable talent.
“Femininomenon” sets the tone for the album with its powerful opening. Preparing the listener for a rollercoaster of emotions, the track swiftly transitions from a ballad to a high-energy anthem that perfectly encapsulates Roan’s range. Screaming, “Um, can you play a/ song with a/ fucking beat?,” she sets the stage for the arty pop that she has mastered. Roan told the Boston Herald “I do a lot of things that are campy.” Beyond “Femininomenon,” tracks like “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl'' – a track that exudes a sense of sparkle and extravagance, with pulsating beats and shimmering systems– highlight Roan’s campy tendencies, taking after the likes of artists like Lady Gaga.
“Hot to Go!” and “Red Wine Supernova” are stuck in fans' heads for a reason. Both tracks illuminate the feeling of starting a new relationship, despite knowing it may be wrong deep down. Horny and ignorant of red flags, these songs quickly became anthems, certifying the feeling of lust.
Much of this album follows relationships gone sour in the age of online dating, situationships, and wavering commitment. “Casual” confronts the emotional turmoil of a relationship dismissed as casual by her partner. Roan’s poignant lyrics “Knee deep in the/ passenger seat/ and your’re/ eating me out/ Is it casual now” and “It’s hard being/ casual/ When my/ favorite bra lives/ in your dresser” encapsulates the uncertainty and vulnerability of navigating these relationships. Musically, as the track progresses, layers of instrumentation build and electrifying synths deepen the track’s emotional resonance. Paired with Roan’s vocals soaring with emotion, this track becomes a cathartic experience, demanding to be consumed in a setting where listeners can fully experience their emotions. Preferably, a screamable location.
As the album unfolds, Roan explores the concept of a casual relationship further. “Naked in Manhattan” is infused with youthful energy and simmering desire as Roan captures the essence of a fleeting moment of passion. She sings, “In New York, you can try things/ An inch away from/ more than just friends” Similarly, “Guilty Pleasure” explicates the addiction to these kinds of emotions, comparing them to cigarettes. Starting out with echoing guitar and looping harmonies, it replicates the heavenly state of naivety.
For whoever ruined Roan’s credit score and cute aesthetic, we owe you thanks for this anthem. “My Kink is Karma” articulates the emotions many people experience when those who wronged them are struggling, while they themselves thrive. Driven by a pulsating bassline and Roan’s signature snarky lyrics, the track serves as a cathartic anthem for those reveling in their own success, despite past adversity. As Roan candidly puts it, “People say I’m/ jealous but my/ kink is watching/ You ruining your/ life.”
Although this album is a pop girl's paradise, concealing melancholy sentiments beneath empowering rhythms, the ballads strike with an emotional intensity that one might not anticipate. Devoid of buoyant beats to mask their raw emotion, tracks such as “Coffee,” “Kaleidoscope,” and “Picture You” may prompt a desire to retreat and draw the curtains.
As the album draws to a close, the final ballad, “California,” encapsulates Roan’s longing for her hometown. Through heartfelt lyrics, she expresses, “I miss the seasons in Missouri/My dying town/ Thought I’d be cool in/ California/ I’d make you proud.” The track opens a cappella, gradually transitioning into a heartfelt ballad accentuated by powerful drums. Regardless of one's sentiments toward their hometown, the track leaves listeners reminiscing about their upbringing.
Roan has honed the contemporary art of weaving occasionally bittersweet, witty, lyrics into irresistibly danceable beats. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess transcends being just an album– it emerges as a shimmering disco ball adorned with themes of empowerment, resilience, and unabashed joy. Drawing inspiration from iconic women like Cindy Lauper, each track pulsates with infectious energy, beckoning listeners to shed their inhibitions and dance like nobody’s watching. All that to say, this is an album for the girls and gays.
Album Ranking:
My Kink is Karma
Pink Pony Club
Femininomenon
Casual
Hot to Go!
Red Wine Supernova
After Midnight
Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl
California
Guilty Pleasure
Coffee
Naked in Manhattan
Picture You
Kaleidoscope