Album Review: “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” by Chapelle Roan
Chapelle Roan released her debut album on Sept. 22, 2023, after more than a year’s worth of poppy, pretty, and bangin’ singles. As the current opener for Oliva Rodrigo’s Guts Tour, this young artist has been working her butt off to get her work out there and has succeeded. However, this artist deserves a lot more love (and press) than I believe that she is getting.
Her recent performance on the Colbert Late Show flaunted her creativity in costume and stage elements. The album “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” is an art gallery of synth elements, hyperfeminine imagery, and a story of modern dating struggles. As if this flexing of artistic liberties were not enough to draw you in, her live performances are allegedly a blast. Doing research for my attendance at her upcoming performance at the Senate in Columbia, I have been advised to prepare for a stadium-wide theme night and to look forward to local drag queens being part of the opening act! Excitement aside, the craftsmanship that is displayed in “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” can be highlighted in these five songs!
“Femininomenon”
A bright and happy track that utilizes onomatopoeia, “Femininomenon” is about the struggles of dating in an online world and the lack of “satisfaction” that she has experienced physically and emotionally. The breakdown of this song is a call and response to the crowd.
“Ladies
You know what I mean
And you know what you need
And so does he
But does it happen? (No!)
But does it happen? (No!)
Well, what we really need is a femininomenon
(A what?)
A femininomenon!”
A humorous reference to the male-to-female orgasm gap. Chapelle Roan is no stranger to tasteful, but still sexual, innuendos. Additionally, the promo for this song included clips of Chapelle Roan doing stunts on a motorbike and nods to the motorbike sound effects before the first chorus!
“Redwine Supernova”
This is one of the more popular songs of Chapelle’s that made the rounds on TikTok. Redwine Supernova is a lively track that is also about love! This song addresses the event of finding a partner that dazzles you so much that you don’t care about their bad habits, weirdness, or idiosyncrasies. Though this person is new to you, you’re absolutely swept off your feet, you’re in love with the idea of them. So, it must be real, right?
The iconic bridge is what got my attention, especially so because it’s paired with Chappelle’s signature jog during her performances of Redwine Supernova,
“Well, back at my house
I've got a California king
Okay, maybe it's a twin bed
And some roommates (Don't worry, we're cool)
I heard you like magic
I've got a wand and a rabbit
So baby, let's get freaky, get kinky
Let's make this bed get squeaky”
The video for Redwine Supernova depicts a Midwestern setting with Chapelle Roan reading a sapphic romance novel about magicians. Suddenly, an exquisitely costumed magician appears and impresses her with magic tricks!
“Super Graphic Modern Girl”
Super graphic modern girl a sapphic synth hype song about Chapelle wanting to find another woman who is willing to put as much effort into the relationship as she has in the past. She wants to be danced with, a reason to dress up, and to leave dull people behind on planet Earth. Me too. Accompanied by a progressive and bouncy beat, the intro paints an all-too-familiar tale of a bad date with a new guy.
“You know what they say
"Never waste a Friday night on a first date"
But there I was
In my heels with my hair straight
And so, I take him to this bar
This man wouldn't dance
He didn't ask a single question
And he was wearing these fugly jeans (ew)
It doesn't matter though
He doesn't have what it takes to be
With a girl like me”
The chorus is chant-like and easy to sing along to. It boasts the solution Chapelle found from one too many bad dates. Find someone who wants to have fun with life and loves hard, like her.
“Uh-huh, I'm through
With all these hyper mega-bummer boys like you
Oh yeah, I need
A super graphic ultra modern girl like me”
I love this song due to its unique structure, its glamorous use of synth and the breakdown that leads into the chorus.
“Casual”
This song is a hard shift from the usually upbeat tracks. The concept of the situationship is described in a heart-wrenching manner as a prolonged attachment to someone is causing Chapelle Roan great heartache. This person gets all of Chapelle’s emotional attachments and free labor that one would expect from an exclusive partner.
“It's hard being casual
When my favorite bra lives in your dresser
It's hard being casual
When I'm on the phone talking down your sister
And I try to be the chill girl that
Holds her tongue and gives you space
I try to be the chill girl but
Honestly, I'm not”
A familiar tale of being disappointed in love. Chapelle portrays an eagerness to “make things official” and displays patience and respect for her significant other’s wishes despite hers being disrespected. Casual shows us that a relationship only goes as far as two people are willing to carry it, not just one.
“Hot To Go”
Hot to Go is a flirty and upbeat track that is inspired by cheerleader chants! Chapelle Roan was specifically inspired by the time she thought about joining the cheerleading squad at her local high school. Though she decided against it the itch was still there, which is how HOT TO GO! Was born.
“H-O-T-T-O-G-O
Snap n' clap n' and touch your toes
Raise your hands, now body roll
Dance it out, you're hot to go
H-O-T-T-O-G-O
Snap n' clap n' touch your toes
Raise your hands, now body roll
H-O-T-T-O-G-O
H-O-T-T-O-G-O
You can take me hot to go
H-O-T-T-O-G-O
You can take me hot to go”
It’s easier than the Macarena, and so much fun to blast in your car!
“The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” is such a fun album that I cannot recommend enough! Chapelle Roan is easily one of the most creative and fun performers out there. Don’t miss out on her Columbia show this coming June. I have my tickets! Readers, I am suggesting you get on it!
