If thinking outside of the box was an artist, it would be Melanie Martinez. She can’t write a bad song, and I think you’ll come to agree with me after you take a listen to this seven song EP. I have always been in awe of how she is able to create images within her music. The symbolism used in her songs is top notch and there is something relatable for everyone.
On Sept. 25, the EP “After School” was released. The title is perfect for the EP as it summarizes each of the tracks, titled “Notebook,” “Test Me,” “Brain & Heart,” “Numbers,” “Glued,” “Field Trip” and “The Bakery.”
“Notebook” is a song about an ending relationship that hasn’t been working out for a while, but before she officially breaks up with her boyfriend, she offers him advice for his future relationships. College is a time where everyone is finding themselves and going through relationships and breakups, so this was a perfect song, relatable to college students.
“Test Me” is a song about the tests the universe provides and finding that just living life can offer you better knowledge about life than classes themselves. She sings that you learn more through life experiences than sticking your nose in between the pages of a book.
“Brain & Heart” is one of the slower paced songs from the EP and talks about trusting both your heart and your brain without invalidating one over the other. We have always been told to follow our hearts, but to take our brains with us. In this song, Martinez speaks about using both your brain and heart with equal measure. The lyrics “When did humans start to separate brain and heart as if they could stay alive alone” summarize the purpose of the song.
“Numbers” is a song that criticizes the music industry. Martinez wants to illuminate that money is the motivator and songs and their quality aren’t that important if sales are doing well. You can hear this in her lyrics, “Am I just a number? ‘Cause it seems like that’s your goal. You push us past our limits just to watch decimals grow.” It makes her feelings of feeling disposable in the music industry clear.
“Glued” speaks about the importance of finding a balance between being too caught up with the many things that may be going on in your life. The song illustrates that, while it is easy to grow attached to someone, you should not depend on their existence for happiness as they may not always be around.
“Field Trip” is a song about being seen as who you are versus what people expect you to be. This is interpreted by the lyrics “You’re not real, just like me. We were never our bodies.” “The Bakery” is the final song in the EP, and one that I’m sure everyone could relate to. I remember hating the jobs I had in high school, but sticking around because I wanted to save up money for something I really wanted — this is what the song is about, seen in lyrics like “Not my first pick, but I’ll do it. Make that cash right so I can move quick.” On Instagram, Martinez spoke more in depth about working at a bakery in high school to save up money to invest into her artistic passions.
Make your way over to whatever music streaming service you use and listen to “After School.” The EP’s themes relate to things we are all going through or have gone through at one point in our lives.
