The music industry has a new sensation, and her name is Reneé Rapp. With her debut album, Snow Angel, Rapp has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of music. Released to critical acclaim and eager anticipation, Snow Angel showcases the incredible talent and emotional depth of this rising star. In this review, we delve into the beauty and brilliance of Reneé Rapp’s debut full-length album and explore the journey she takes us on through her music.
Highlights
- Reneé’s vocal performance surprised me in all of the best ways possible. It’s evident from the first note that she takes her skills as a vocalist seriously, as her background in theater possibly plays a role in this.
- The album’s production stands out as clean and easy on the ears. It’s not over-produced, which is a positive for me. The hard-hitting choruses on several songs are led into by simple instrumentation on the verses and pre-choruses, and makes the album easy to listen to in many settings.
- Reneé’s songwriting shows a great degree of lyrical prowess, and the lyrics are mixed with deep metaphors and humor to help the listener understand the stories that Reneé is trying to tell. After listening to her during her press conference for the album, it was clear that strong songwriting is goal for Reneé, even if she didn’t intend on it be once she started her entertainment career.
“Talk Too Much”
The album begins with the lead single, ‘Talk Too Much’. The song conveys a complex mix of emotions, self-doubt, and a fear of self-sabotage within a romantic relationship. In the first verse, the Reneé reflects on a past experience where they tasted “the blood in my mouth” and left someone to “bleed out.” This metaphorical language suggests that they may have hurt or betrayed their partner in some way, and now they are grappling with the consequences. The mention that it “didn’t feel like a dream” implies that this situation was real and not something they can simply dismiss. Despite this, she wakes up and sees her partner, finding them cute and feeling a strong love. This contrast between past actions and present feelings adds to the emotional complexity. Reneé is left wondering about the meaning of it all, which suggests they are struggling to reconcile their past mistakes with their current emotions.
The chorus of “Talk Too Much” is the key part of the song, where the singer admits to talking themselves out of their own happiness. They express self-sabotage tendencies, which can be related to their fear of repeating past mistakes. The repetition of “I think I talk too much” emphasizes their self-criticism and self-doubt. The idea of sitting in silence may symbolize the fear of saying or doing something that could jeopardize their relationship.
Musically, the track is a soft melody throughout most of the song, with simple drums driving the instrumental along. Once the chorus hits, a heavy electric guitar comes in to aid with Reneé’s strong vocals throughout.
“I Hate Boston” and “Poison Poison”
“I Hate Boston” is an interesting but fantastic track, with a unique premise that I can’t say I’ve heard before. The song appears to be a story of past experience of an ex who she had a bad experience with. The experience was so bad, that she has disdain for the entire city. Reneé’s lyrics shine brightly in the vocal performance, with amazing control throughout. The production on the track is outstanding, with the background piano playing a key part in the ballad and ascending to powerful choir-like vocals as the song progresses.
“Poison Poison” is bit of a humorous track, where Reneé expresses her feelings in a playful tone. In the chorus, the singer expresses a strong dislike and irritation towards someone. The repeated line “You get on my nerves” underscores the intense annoyance they feel. The use of explicit language (“You’re so fucking annoying”) emphasizes the depth of their frustration. The phrase “you could poison poison” suggests that the person’s behavior is so aggravating that it feels toxic, and forgiving them seems pointless. The term “baby girl” at the end adds a touch of irony, contrasting with the harsh criticism in the rest of the chorus.
“And yes, I am a feminist, But, bitch, you’re makin’ it so hard for me to always be supportin’ all women (I hate that bitch)”
Verse 2, “Poison Poison”
This part of the verse is particularly striking. Rapp identifies as a feminist, which means she supports and advocates for gender equality and women’s rights. However, the person’s behavior is so hurtful and antagonistic that it becomes challenging for the singer to maintain their commitment to supporting all women, including this individual. The use of “I hate that bitch” shows the depth of their animosity.
In “Poison Poison”, Reneé addresses not only the person’s actions but also the personal conflict they feel about their feminist principles conflicting with their negative feelings toward this individual. It adds a layer of complexity to the emotional dynamics within the relationship or situation being described in the song.
“Gemini Moon”
The lyrics of “Gemini Moon” by Reneé Rapp explore themes of identity, unpredictability, and the challenges of maintaining a stable relationship. The song reflects on the dual nature often associated with a Gemini zodiac sign, where individuals are believed to have two contrasting personalities. In the first verse, the singer portrays themselves as unpredictable and ever-changing. The lines “Never know who you’re gonna get” and “Every day I’m different” highlight their inconsistency. They acknowledge that they sometimes say hurtful things (“I talk shit”) and then retract or regret them (“bite my tongue”). The reference to a pendulum emphasizes the swinging nature of their moods and behavior.
The chorus emphasizes her self-awareness about their unpredictable behavior and the impact it has on their partner. They acknowledge that their partner might be “sick of it” and that they often feel like the “problem kid” who can’t choose a side, echoing the duality associated with Gemini. The singer hints at blaming their Gemini moon sign for their actions but ultimately takes responsibility, stating that they should “just be better” to their partner.
Reneé Rapp’s lyrics in “Gemini Moon” explore the internal struggles and complexities of a person who identifies with the dual nature often associated with the Gemini zodiac sign. The singer acknowledges their inconsistency and the challenges it poses in their relationship. While they humorously mention blaming their Gemini moon sign, they ultimately recognize the need to take responsibility for their actions and strive to be a better partner. The song captures the tension between self-awareness and the difficulty of changing one’s behavior. It serves as an introspective reflection on personal growth and the impact of one’s actions on their relationship.
“Snow Angel”
The title track of the album is possibly my favorite on the project. The soft piano opening eventually escalates to a powerful melody with Reneé’s powerful vocals taking the track to amazing heights. The lyrics of “Snow Angel” by Renée Rapp reflect on themes of hardship, self-discovery, and the passage of time. In the first verse, the singer describes themselves as the first to arrive and the last to leave, highlighting a sense of enduring through challenging situations. They mention the idea that misery is more bearable when shared with others. The lines “It’s hard to laugh when it’s hard to breathe” and “It’s white outside, but red underneath” suggest a metaphorical contrast between the external appearance (white snow) and inner struggles or pain (red underneath). Reneé herself in an interview suggested it may be a reference to drug usage, following a tragic incident that left her missing for seven hours, but nevertheless it is a creative metaphor in this instance.
The chorus expresses a determination to persevere through difficult times, even if it comes at a cost. Rapp acknowledges the urgency of the situation (“I can make it faster if I hurry”) and the desire to become worthy of something. The repetition of “If it kills me, I tried” reinforces the idea that they are willing to face challenges head-on, no matter the outcome. In “Snow Angel,” Renée Rapp explores the complexities of navigating difficult times, self-reflection, and personal growth. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and emotions, offering listeners a glimpse into the singer’s journey of self-discovery and resilience.
“So What Now”, “The Wedding Song”, “Pretty Girls”
As we get later into the album, the projects theme’s come into full display. “So What Now” opens with a sense of anxiety and anticipation. The repetition of “If I’m missing calls I’m gonna cry” suggests a fear of missing communication from someone significant. The song revolves around the theme of uncertainty. Reneé questions how they should approach the possibility of running into this person again. They wonder if they should act nonchalant or maintain the pretense of being over-dramatic when discussing the past. The lyrics reflect the complexity of post-relationship interactions and the desire to save face.
“The Wedding Song” is a heartfelt and nostalgic song that appears to be about a love that was once strong but has since faded. In the first verse, she reminisces about an “old song” that she wrote for someone, and they describe it as something that embodied everything that person would desire in a song. The imagery used, including “melody lift” and “minor chord fall,” suggests a well-crafted and emotionally resonant composition. Reneé characterizes this song as “timeless,” just like the love between them and the person they wrote it for. The song reflects the emotional impact of the song, comparing it to the sensation of flying. The singer envisions the song being played at weddings, underlining the idea that it is a romantic and timeless composition.
The chorus expresses deep love and devotion. Rapp acknowledges the exceptional nature of their love, implying that it’s beyond what they could find in heaven. She pledges to love the person until their heart “retires,” signifying a commitment to a lasting and enduring love. The outro repeats the notion of forever-lasting love, suggesting that the memory of this love and the song associated with it will endure, even though the relationship itself has ended.
The song “Pretty Girls” portrays a narrative about the experiences and interactions of people in social settings, particularly those identifying as “pretty girls.” The chorus describes a recurring pattern: in the evening, “pretty girls” gather and consume alcohol, leading to a desire for physical intimacy with each other. This attraction is fleeting, as it’s followed by a sense of denial or avoidance the next morning. Reneé characterizes this pattern as both a “blessing and a curse,” suggesting that while these encounters may be enjoyable, they also involve pretense and emotional complications. The song explores themes of temporary desire, pretense, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly in social settings where appearances and attraction play a significant role. The repeated refrain of “pretty girl” serves to emphasize the recurring nature of these experiences.
“Tummy Hurts”, and “I Wish”
In “Tummy Hurts”, Reneé is contemplating seeking solace in religion due to the unreliability and inconsistency of their partner.
The chorus of the song reflects the singer’s emotional pain and jealousy. The singer’s “tummy hurts” as a metaphorical way of expressing the emotional turmoil they’re going through. In this section, it’s revealed that their partner has moved on and is now in love with someone else (“he’s in love with her”). She acknowledges that the new couple could potentially have a family together, and she speculates that the children from this relationship would be “beautiful babies.”
However, Rapp also expresses a sense of bitterness and predicts that these future children will inherit negative qualities from their parents. She describes them as “Fucking monsters, like their mother and their father.” This suggests that she views their former partner and their new love interest negatively, believing that the children will follow in their parents’ dysfunctional footsteps.The mention of “2043” implies a future date when these predictions may come true, and it symbolizes the singer’s belief that the cycle of pain and dysfunction will continue into the next generation.
The song “I Wish” by Reneé Rapp explores themes of nostalgia, loss, and the passage of time. She spends time in the song reminiscing about a time in her childhood when she came to understand the concept of permanent goodbyes. Rapp expresses a sense of longing and the belief that certain relationships would last forever. The lyrics evoke a feeling of innocence and the simplicity of childhood emotions. The chorus serves as the emotional core of the song. She expresses a desire to return to the perspective of her younger self, where the world was filled with vibrant colors and clarity. The aging process is symbolized by the changing colors and the graying of hair, but the “blues” remains constant. The repeated phrase “I wish” underscores the singer’s longing to recapture the innocence and simplicity of their youth.
“Willow” and “23”
The album’s last two tracks continue to provide a story that Reneé has expertly painted throughout. The song “Willow” appears to be a comforting and empathetic message to someone who may be going through a difficult or challenging phase in their life. In the song, Rapp addresses someone who is still adjusting to adulthood. The lyrics suggest that this person may be feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities and pace of life. They acknowledge that growing up can be tough, and it’s hard to slow down when there’s still so much to achieve. The verse also hints that the person might be feeling isolated or distant from others, possibly due to their circumstances or experiences. Overall, “Willow” conveys a message of empathy, support, and comfort to someone going through a tough time. It acknowledges the challenges of growing up and facing life’s difficulties while offering a caring presence and a shoulder to lean on.
The final track, “23”, reflects on the challenges and uncertainties that come with entering one’s twenty-third year of life. Reneé starts by mentioning that she’s turning twenty-three, which is often referred to as the “Jordan year” after the basketball legend Michael Jordan, who wore the number 23. She had expectations that this year would be good for her, but instead, she feels weird and unable to soar like the number 23 on a basketball jersey. They express disappointment about not being ahead as they thought they would be and feeling like they’re in a constant fight-or-flight mode.
Rapp describes the physical toll that stress and anxiety have taken on her, symbolized by the bags under her eyes. They mention receiving birthday messages from past relationships and acknowledge the efforts made to ruin their twenty-second year. The lyrics convey a sense of not wanting to pretend that everything is fine with these exes. Overall, “23” is a reflective song that delves into the emotional struggles and insecurities that can come with transitioning into adulthood and facing societal pressures. It captures the desire for personal growth and self-acceptance while acknowledging the challenges of getting there.
Summary
In Reneé Rapp’s debut album, Snow Angel, the lyrics delve into a range of emotions and themes that reflect the complexities of life and human relationships.
- Self-Reflection and Growth: Throughout the album, there’s a strong theme of self-reflection and personal growth. The lyrics suggest that the artist is on a journey of self-discovery and understanding. This theme can be seen in songs like “I Wish,” where the singer reflects on the passage of time and wishes for personal growth and a change in perspective.
- Emotional Vulnerability: Many of the lyrics express a sense of emotional vulnerability. The artist opens up about their feelings, fears, and insecurities, creating a sense of relatability for listeners. This vulnerability is evident in songs like “Tummy Hurts,” where the singer reflects on past relationships and expresses a longing for recognition and understanding.
- Nostalgia and Reflection: The lyrics often touch on nostalgia and reflection on past experiences. Whether it’s looking back on childhood memories or past relationships, the artist uses these themes to evoke a sense of longing and introspection. This is apparent in songs like “Snow Angel,” where the imagery of a snow angel is used to evoke a sense of innocence and nostalgia.
- Relationships and Heartache: Several songs in the album explore themes related to romantic relationships and heartache. The lyrics depict the ups and downs of love, as well as the impact of past relationships on the artist’s emotional state. The song “Pretty Girls” highlights the complexity of modern dating and the emotional toll it can take.
- Desire for Connection: Despite the challenges and complexities explored in the lyrics, there’s an underlying desire for connection and understanding. The artist longs for meaningful relationships and expresses a willingness to confront difficult emotions in order to achieve personal growth and deeper connections with others.
In summary, Reneé Rapp’s debut album, Snow Angel, offers a heartfelt and introspective exploration of life, relationships, and personal growth. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and nostalgia while also expressing a strong desire for connection and self-discovery. These themes resonate with listeners who may have experienced similar emotions and challenges in their own lives. Coupled with amazing production and beautiful harmonies from Reneé, this solid debut should rate highly her current fans and her new ones to come.
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