I’ve not written about Chappell Roan yet, but in pop music, she eclipsed Taylor Swift in the second half of 2024 as the most talked about and in some ways most important story in the industry. Her meteoric rise and overnight fame is unusual, though she has been working on her music for the better part of a decade. That said, she took the world by storm this year and can’t be ignored.
Her music is edgy pop, written and performed for people under age 30 for the most part, but her writing is clear and beautiful, and she’s earned her accolades.
“Kaleidoscope” is one of my favorite songs from her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. If you’ve not listened to her, this is one of her tamer songs, both in music and lyrics. A lot of her stuff is NSFW, so you’ve been warned. I received her album on vinyl as a gift for Christmas and I’m a fan. She has an NPR Tiny Desk Concert worth checking out as well.
Here’s a sad love song. Not every inspiring piece of art is uplifting. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you soon. Make some art, play music. Dance and sing!
thanks russ; beautiful voice and song. how she overdoes her look saddens me though. does every young female singer have to oversexualize herself as a path to becoming popular?
I really was moved by the plaintive quality of Chappell’s voice. Thanks, Russ.