Album Review: Melanie Martinez - After School

In too many cases, artists often fall into the trap of writing just another love song that ticks all the boxes for becoming the next big radio hit. Songs like this have been done time and time before and leave the listener with nothing but a catchy tune in their heads – this being the junk food of the music world. Melanie Martinez does not fall victim to this and provides us with music that has much more depth than an average tune. Her alternative-pop music nourishes the brain and allows us to grasp a better sense of who we are as individuals.

There is something very raw and personal about these tracks, giving an insight into how Martinez views the word

Martinez gives her fans an insight in her soul in her new EP, After School. She moves on from her K-12 era and into the adult world, stating that the EP is ‘a marker for [her] growth in life.’ The 25-year-old, alternative artist, steps out of her CryBaby persona and takes listeners on a new journey – the journey of her own life. There is something very raw and personal about these tracks, giving an insight into how Martinez views the word, singing with a lot more experience than her young age suggests. She creates magical worlds through her music, transporting her fans there with her.

The American singer, who started her successful career on The Voice US, has since produced two albums and four EP’s, alongside creating her own movie, K-12. The star writes her own music, produces the imagery and music videos for her albums, and designs her own costumes, which has paid off in After School. It would be hard to find another artist who is as dedicated and as multi-talented.

A feminist anthem full of sass; a definitive guide to knowing your worth in a relationship

The EP cover showcases her creative talents with the focus being solely on its main star, Martinez herself. She can be seen wearing her iconic split dye pigtails, with her head detached from her body. This cover perfectly sums up the whole EP and lets us prepare for the enchanting journey we are about to begin on as soon as we press play on ‘Notebook.’

The opening track does not disappoint and becomes the ultimate song of empowerment. It provides us with a beautiful combination of a cheerful melody and lyrics that join to create a feminist anthem full of sass; a definitive guide to knowing your worth in a relationship.

Making our way through the tracks, it is clear that Martinez does not create music to become number one in the charts; she does it to give us a new perception on life and make us understand our purpose as individuals.

‘Test me’ teaches us what it is to be human. The song is a must to anyone who has lost their sense of identity and purpose; Martinez’s tune speaks to all of us who have faced challenges in life and have questioned ourselves, praying ‘Give me an A PLUS if I’m doing this thing right.’ It is sometimes easy to believe we must think and act a certain way. Martinez highlights the pain of this and how we are all human; these life tests turn us into who we are.

Martinez demonstrates just how influential her music can be, using the EP as a platform to stand up against the wrong doings of authority, with her alternative universe being a form of escapism away from reality. ‘Numbers’ is a perfect example of this as the star stated via Instagram that ‘Numbers’ is about feeling underpaid and overworked in a system that treats you like you’re disposable.’ Martinez’s pain and frustration towards capitalism really resonates with us as she questions, ‘Why should I try to conform to formulated paths, when / Clearly all my instincts led to something more magical?.’ Here, she makes us realise our true potential and worth; we are more than what society says we are. Nearing towards the end of the song, the pace of the song changes and Melanie’s vocals are put at centre stage, emphasising her pain to the furthest extent.

It is rare for an artist to unite their fans with such an emotional and intimate connection to their music in this way. The alternative-pop star has always been known to take a stand against the wrongs of the world; she has the ability to ‘look through the curtains’ of the world and understands that reality can be rather scary. Especially in current times, when there is so much corruption in the world, we can take our anger out on authority by singing Martinez’s lyrics with her.

It is rare for an artist to unite their fans with such an emotional and intimate connection to their music in this way

Not only does the EP highlight important issues, with the singer being a spokesperson for her young fans who may not be able to stand up for themselves, the album’s use of unique melodies and tones make for some amazing tunes that are eerily haunting in a soothing, comforting way. The EP is a mixture of catchy hits such as her lead single ‘The Bakery,’ and more relaxing, thought provoking songs such as ‘Field Trip’ regarding how our time on this earth is limited so we should make the most of it whilst we can. Whilst some songs can seem upbeat on the surface, there is a deeper, darker meaning found within the lyrics.

With the rise of alternative pop music witnessing the successes of artists such as Billie Eilish, Melanie Martinez is finally starting to get the recognition she deserves. If anyone is struggling to come to terms with reality right now and does not ‘want to think about the morbid parts of life no more,’ as Martinez would say, then After School is the EP for you. It transports you into a new world – a world of love, peace, equality and justice without fear.