PORTALS

More recently released in 2023 is Melanie Martinez latest album, PORTALS. This album represents the death and rebirth of her character, Cry Baby. It opens with a mushroom with the words “RIP CRYBABY” carved inside a heart somewhere un an alternate dimension, thus introducing The Creature.

Here’s a short explanation of each song in this album:

• DEATH- a physical body and the soul lives on.
• VOID- the anxiety of being trapped in your own head.
• TUNNEL VISION- self worth.
• FAERIE SOIREE- giving up on reality and going into a magical world.
• LIGHT SHOWER- being cleansed by love from someone.
• SPIDER WEB- society’s addiction to technology.
• LECHEES- getting taken advantage of.
• BATTLE OF THE LARYX- standing up for yourself.
• THE CONTORTIONIST- bending over backwards to please others.
• MOON CYCLE- empowering woman’s menstruation.
• NYMPOHOLOGY- how women are portrayed by the media.
• EVIL- setting boundaries and being criticized as “cruel”.
• WOMB- rebirth.
• POWDER- drug addiction
• PLUTO- battling inner struggles
• MILK OF THE SIRENS- women taking control

K-12

In 2019, Melanie Martinez dropped an album called “K-12”, where each song represents a different year of school for her fictional character, Cry Baby, showing the drama, love, and heartbreak. All the main ingredients mixed with teenage hormones.

Here’s a short description of the songs in this album:

• Wheels on the Bus- bullying gone unchecked by adults.
• Class Fight- fighting over someone because of jealousy.
• The Principle- criticizing greedy and unjust leaders.
• Show & Tell- pressure of being famous.
• Nurse’s Office- faking injuries to avoid bullying.
• Drama Club- peer pressure.
• Lunchbox Friends- fake friends.
• Orange Juice- bulimia.
• Detention- faking happiness.
• Teacher’s Pet- being groomed.
• High School Sweethearts- wanting true love at a young age.
• Recess- letting go of harmful relationships.
• Fire Drill- faking your identity for popularity.

Crybaby

The birth of Melanie Martinez’s character. Crybaby suffers bullying and a other myriad of similar traumatic events Melanie experience during her childhood years.

Here is a short summary for each song in this album:

• Cry Baby- sensative to words.
• Dollhouse- family issues, not being as perfect as perceived.
• Sippy Cup- a child’s naive sense of reality.
• Carousel- stuck in a one-sided relationship.
• Alphabet Boy- having to prove yourself to other.
• Soap- oversharing.
• Training Wheels- difficulties of being in a young relationship.
• Pity Party- abandonment.
• Tag, You’re It- getting kidnapped.
• Milk and Cookies- liberty.
• Pacify Her- jealousy.
• Teddy Bear- betrayed by someone you nurtured.
• Cake- being used by your appearance