Album Essentials: Chappell Roan "Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess"
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
Chappell Roan has appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, with a debut album that is catching fire more and more every day, hence the appearance in the 'Essentials' series. Our own Brad Savage always has one eye on the future, one on the past, and one on the used record bin, but I digress. The sound of Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, the debut LP from Chappell Roan, has been described as "campy pop," as it combines elements of pop music's glorious past with nods to synth-pop, disco, a dash of country, and a few fragments of pop/rock mixed in.
Unafraid to lay it all on the line, Chappell has strong ties to the LGBTQ community and has been championed for her "journey of self-discovery" and for "embracing her sexual identity." "This job allows me to be whoever I want, because there are no boundaries," she said in an interview, also stating that a large part of her image and style was inspired by drag queens.
Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, she has been immersed in music as far back as she can remember. Like many from the new generation, she got her start on YouTube with an original composition titled "Die You," which ultimately caught the attention of Atlantic Records. They signed Roan and released the EP School Nights, followed by the single "Pink Pony Club." Following that release, she was suddenly dropped from Atlantic. Fear not, as Island Records were waiting in the wings to release her debut full-length, Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in the fall of 2023 to seemingly universal acclaim.
Born in 1998 in Willard, Missouri, Roan knew her path to follow her dream would take her out of her Midwest roots, but she still incorporates those roots into her identity. "I always wanted to tie my project back here," she stated in a promo video for the album. "Even though I felt like I didn't belong, I have to honor this place that raised me, no matter how I feel about it. It's just always going to be a part of me."
The decidedly retro-'80s pop music vibe has drawn many people to Roan. "Good Luck, Babe" sounds like a long-lost hit from a John Hughes film, while "Super Graphic Ultra-Modern Girl" and "Hot to Go!" certainly have every dance floor, of any given gender, bouncing to the electro-dance beat pulsing along. There are elements of everyone from Madonna, Josie Cotton, and Cyndi Lauper to a brief touch of Kate Bush and Annie Lennox popping up here and there.
So if you like your pop music with many retro references, dig in. She's just getting started. Will she be in it for the long haul? Will the fans still be there when all is said and done? Will she gain a place at the table next to the mega stars of yesteryear? Will she end up in the "where are they now" file? Stay tuned, and in the meantime, enjoy!