Melanie Martinez has dropped her latest project, After School, featuring seven-tracks. The EP is the songstress’ most personal collection of songs to date. Following the story from her sophomore album, K-12, the tracks connect more to her character Cry Baby. She shared on her Instagram, “It is an EP that is thematically connected to K-12, but isn’t a follow up to the movie/storyline.”
Opening the EP with ‘Notebook’ it’s a raw breakup track that discusses the need to set boundaries with somebody who takes advantage. There’s a groovy instrumentation accompanied by her voice. “Age is nothing unless you’re evolved,” she sings, making it a powerful statement for those around narcissistic people who think they are superior. Her growth is front and centre of the song which makes it breathtakingly beautiful.
‘Test Me’ has beautiful melodies, accepts challenges life presents itself with a lot of wisdom and strength shown during the time of the song, understanding the experiences anyone goes through during life lessons. She sings, “I’m not to be forgotten,” referencing the public tragedy she has experienced. At the beginning of the song, her screams give the tune life with immaculate storytelling that is full of energetic vibes showing how unique her voice is.
‘Brain & Heart’ is an important track showcasing her immaculate lyricism, with the realness to find a balance in decision making with emotion and logic.
On the half-way mark of the EP, ‘Numbers’ is a relatable track about feeling overworked and underpaid in an industry that feels like everybody is replaceable. It showcases the songstress’ vocal abilities in a new light that is just divine. Although it appears to be experimental, it truly paid off. It’s an honest account of something so personal, yet so widely felt. It’s impressive how the instrumental beats match her vocals, that make it an interesting listen.
‘Glued’ is a relatable track that discusses the potential of getting hurt when one feels attached when feeling the depth of love. The songstress sounds mad, although she’s grateful. It progresses to discuss the detachment of saving yourself when the level of love is heightened.
‘Field Trip’ talks about being an empath and is a deeply personal track on the entire EP, which stands out in its own right. She is caring and loyal talking about her past and astrology discussing how no one really understands her. She talks about some intricacies of who she is as a human.
Closing out the EP, ‘The Bakery’ is a documentation of a job the songstress had during her school years allowing her to save her money to invest into her music and art. During the catchy electropop track on the chorus, she sings, “the bakery, tryna make some more / they expect me to stay when I should go / grab the bag for when they cross the dorr / it ain’t for me to roll it out / it’s just for me to raise the dough,” sung in a beautiful manner that shows resilience.
The songstress’ creative talents truly drive her forward. She wonderfully bares her truth throughout the seven-tracks with confidence. She’s able to confront and discuss society issues in a positive way that will have the listener replaying this EP over and over again. Each track is full of emotions and lessons that the songstress wanted to convey through storytelling.
After School, showcases her effortless sonic musical artistry. Her music is drenched in playful tones, unconventional melodies, and interesting instrumentation from synthesizer driven pop and intriguing sounds that overall that makes the seven-tracks enjoyable. She is detail oriented as a creator from the music, storytelling, and art of the EP. There's a lot of comfort and healing dramatised to show daily issues that everyone may relate to in some shape or form.
Martinez stands alone in a league of her own. After School, is another masterpiece to add to her musical discography. As she had been working on this seven-track project since 2017, and it’s proven that she’s come a long way from previous projects of Dollhouse, Cry Baby, and K-12.
Words by Danielle Holian