In 2017, Chappell Roan released her debut EP School Nights. Now that she’s had an unprecedented rise to fame with her acclaimed 2023 album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, it’s only right that we take a look at her older work. Chappell has always had the chops to be a star, but she started out with a darker, singer-songwriter-type aesthetic, which greatly differs from her current persona.
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In the beginning, there was something a little bit Lorde about her. However, Chappell has more of a raspy yet rounded vocal style, almost in contradiction of itself, which sets her apart from Lorde. She expertly wields her vocal flips to create a unique sonic experience. While Chappell Roan has become every bit a pop princess, let’s not forget what a talented queen she has always been.
[RELATED: Behind the Meaning of Chappell Roan’s Breakout Track, “Casual”]
“Good Hurt,” “Meantime,” and “Bad For You” Prove that Chappell Roan Has Always Had Skills
The entire School Nights EP shows off Chappell Roan’s range and songwriting abilities, but the standouts are “Good Hurt,” “Meantime,” and “Bad For You.” She burst onto the scene with a strong belt and darkly crafted beats but could also go softer at times.
An example of this is on “Meantime,” where she alternates between a full, rounded sound and quieter, raspy vocals. Her songwriting is also raw and real on the EP. While she addresses similar topics here and on her full-length album, the songs on School Nights are darker and more visceral, stripped back from the frills and embellishments of her current stage persona.
And I keep my doubts in the back of my mind / And I still love you in the meantime / Cut me slack while I figure it out, she sings in the first verse. There’s a sense of being on the cusp of something, yet also in the shadows of it. She feels doubt about a possible relationship where she’s not sure if she loves the person or not. So, instead, she’ll “love you in the meantime,” in a space between loving and not loving.
Will We See More of This Darkness in Future Projects?
“Bad For You” is a lyrically and melodically strong piece that takes listeners deeper into this darker persona. This song is sexy yet holy, as she sings Lace your fingers round my neck, it’s pleasure I can’t take, and Hallelujah, hallelujah / Oh forgive me, I love being bad for you.
Chappell Roan started out with a darker side, as evident in the aesthetics of her debut EP. She’s moved into a flamboyant persona that has appeased the pop realm with its uniqueness, but there’s something pleasantly authentic about how she presented herself in the beginning. While her stage persona has allowed her to grow into her identity in a way that’s incredible to watch, we can’t help but miss a little bit of that darkness.
Featured Image by Dana Jacobs/FilmMagic
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