By BRIANA SPINA
Layout Editor
Since 2017, singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez has been working on an EP called “After School” at the same time as she was working on her 2019 full-length album, “K-12.” “After School” was released last week, with seven tracks and one music video.
The EP starts out with an underwhelming song called “Notebook.” It’s not as lyrically or vocally dynamic as the other songs on “After School.” The chorus, though, is smart. It’s biting yet apathetic, as Martinez tells her ex to write down all of the lessons she taught him so he’ll remember it for his next lover. I also like the catchy background notes that occur in a quick 123 pause 123 succession.
“Test Me” is much more impressive. Martinez, in an Instagram post, said that this is her favorite song from “After School,” and I can see why. In the song, she sings about how the universe throws challenges her way, and she learns and grows from them, despite being a mere “mortal.” The lyrics are sharp yet vulnerable: Martinez asserts that she is ambitious and “not to be forgotten,” and she also recognizes that she is human and needs time to decompress. The instrumentals are dark, and the vocals are often layered in a spooky way.
The next song, “Brain & Heart,” is serious and soft, talking about how people need both logic and emotions to live fulfilling lives. I love this one because it sounds like a gentle but passionate reminder to others and to herself. These two lines stood out to me: “Help me when I’m too detached and cold./ Give me the vitality that I need to trust love more.” I found it to be relatable to be so stuck in your linear thinking that you neglect your feelings. The song is a celebration of the fullness of the human experience.
“Numbers” is a notable tone shift from “Brain & Heart,” but it flows nicely. Martinez goes from talking about humanness in “Brain & Heart” to confronting the relentless capitalist system that has dehumanized her in “Numbers.” She starts out spitting fiery criticism and asserting that the beaten path has nothing to offer her because her “instincts led to something more magical.” The chorus begs the question, “Am I just a number? ‘Cause it seems like that’s your goal.” Martinez’s vocals in this song are quite varied and strong, providing emphasis for her theme. The tempo slows down after the second chorus, which shows the distress that all of the pressure has caused her. She takes on the final chorus with a new force that ties the song up nicely, leaving the listener with something to think about.
Next is “Glued,” which has a bubbly vibe that makes me smile. The background harp sounds similar to Martinez’s “Recess” off her album “K-12.” She sings about the messy parts of life in a loving way. Being fully attached leaves you vulnerable to pain but allows you to experience the beauty of love. On the other hand, staying detached may save you from pain but it also does not allow you to color your life with emotions.
“Field Trip” is catchy, but some lines are not as smooth as they could be. For example, the chorus is quick-paced, and I like it a lot, until Martinez ends a line with “’til she birthed me.” The phrase interrupts the beat and flow of the whole line, so it sounds awkward. Throughout the song, Martinez talks about Tarot and astrology, so perhaps the word “birthed” is quite meaningful; however, I think the whole line could have been reworked to smooth it out. The rest of the chorus goes downhill after that line too, but there are a few stronger lyrics at other points in the song, like “You always say you’re woke, yeah it’s your aesthetic./ But is your empathy actually authentic?”
The final song was also not that impressive. “The Bakery” is not as meaningful as the other songs, which is not to say it’s bad, but it’s just not for me. In the song, Martinez sings about her former job at a bakery, where she was just biding her time and earning some money to pursue her musical career. It’s catchy enough, but I’d say it’s one my least favorite songs of hers. I’m a huge fan of Martinez, and I admire her creativity and writing, but this song is not her best work. She created a music video for this song, which again was okay. I liked the part where Martinez is being made into a cookie, because that is her signature creepy/symbolic style. I didn’t like the scenes where Martinez was dancing suggestively and wearing very little clothing. It just seemed out of place.
Overall, I think “After School” is pretty well-done. Though I have my critiques, I think this EP shows Martinez’s strengths in character and in artistry, and at the same time, it shows some of her shortcomings. Though “The Bakery” video did not live up to my expectations, hopefully we will get a video for “Test Me,” because I have faith that Martinez will deliver on that one.
