Written by Nolan Primavera
Indie pop artist and Austin, Texas native Ginger Rodriguez is back with a new album titled “Melancholy!” Rodriguez was raised by two music-loving dads, which influenced her to start writing poetry (which eventually became lyrics) at a young age; this has all led up to her bursting onto the music scene with her own unique sound and flair.
The first track, “The American Dream (intro)” is entirely instrumental, creating an ambiance for what is to come on the record later on. Like the overture on a soundtrack, this introduction helps set up the vibe for the rest of the songs.
Following the opener, “Time is Falling Down” builds off the atmosphere initially established, and the song brings about an uncertain and lost sort of feeling, that carries on throughout the remainder of the LP. The song is almost six minutes long, and holds the same ups and downs as a short EP, which is a very impressive feat!
Next up, “Last Night’s Trauma” talks about wanting to be happy and not sad but not even knowing yourself well enough to make that emotional change. This track creates a concoction of emotions that Rodriguez explores deeper in her lyrics.
“Paranoia” is next, a much slower song than the previous, the lack of instruments allowing the vocals to take center stage. Rodriguez discusses desperately wanting to find a place in this world, but constantly being afraid of being wrong or messing up, singing “Maybe it’s paranoia / But I’m always in fear”.
Rodriguez introduces a new aspect of her voice on the next track “Stalker/Predator”, taking on a breathier, Billie Eilish-esque style, and it works well. The storytelling and existence of multiple characters do a great job of engaging the listener.
Another tone shift occurs going into “The Roaring Twenties”, a short instrumental track with only a faint whispering of the title in the background. It is a beautiful, soft transitional song that welcomes listeners to the second half of the album.
The emotional ballad “Isolation”, is sure to make you want to sit on the floor and cry. A song of self-contemplation, it is one listeners will have to sit with and fully absorb, feeling Rodriguez's pain as she sings.
“Don’t Panic (Panic!)” details the emotions of a younger person living during the current COVID-19 pandemic, seeing the narrator lose her mind as the rest of the world tells her to stay calm. The lyrics read, “They say don’t panic, but my panic is setting in”.
The title track “Melancholy” discusses self-loathing and being in a constant state of being sad. Feeling inadequate and wrestling with your own thoughts seems to be ever-present in the younger generation, and Rodriguez puts it into words beautifully in another hard-hitting ballad.
Coming to the end of the album, “The Great Depression” surprisingly picks up the tempo from where the last song left off. Again discussing the current state of the world, almost piggybacking off of “Don’t Panic (Panic!)”, the track lays the story to rest in a beautifully tragic sort of way.
Introducing a new, more electronic-influenced feel, “Dreams of Loneliness, Vol. 2” further explores the feelings of being lonely and not enough. As relatable as that is, Rodriguez’s distinct voice makes this specific take on the ideas as original as ever, bringing a refreshing new perspective and sound to themes that could otherwise be seen as “cliche.”
“Daylight”, the final song on the LP, is almost eleven minutes long, creating a huge amalgamation of everything we've heard thus far. It's a large, cinematic piece of work.
For fans of artists like Lana Del Rey and Halsey, Ginger Rodriguez is a perfect new addition to your weekly playlists. Her unique style breathes new life into indie-pop, and there's no doubt that her future will be bright.
You can stream “Melancholy” wherever you listen to music; if you enjoy the album, be sure to show Ginger Rodriguez some love by following her on Instagram @grdzmusic or picking up some merch from her online store. Don’t forget to let us know what you thought of the album by tweeting us @lgndsoftmrw!
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