Nicole Lichtenberg recommends The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan.
I am utterly captivated by this album. Chappell Roan has the vocal range of Christina Aguilera, the joyful tawdriness of Prince, the active, enthusiastic consent of a Title IX compliance program, and she manages to keep the DIY aesthetic of punk and garage music while somehow simultaneously brandishing a very high production value.
It’s difficult to bring something new to an album alternately reveling and wallowing in the highs and lows of interpersonal relationships, and yet, Roan succeeds.
What’s more: My Spotify algorithm has had a narrow focus, on account of “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus being my alarm clock song, and my love of the Atlanta-based punk band, Microwave (I walked down the aisle to the song “Trash Stains” and thank you again, Stephen McDougall Graham, for playing it on the violin so that my mom wouldn’t notice I walked down the aisle to a song called “Trash Stains”).
Playing this album a few times has completely refreshed my other recommendations. That’s right: It’s fun to listen to, and it can clean out the cobwebs on your metadata. I don’t know what else you could want.
This album is great for many situations, such as driving somewhere early in the morning, cleaning your house, feeling joy, and more, but it’s important to note that it does contain fairly graphic sexual content, so it’s not appropriate for children or elevators.
You can find this album anywhere fine music is played or on CD here at The Community Library. Have fun!
