Throughout the 12 tracks of her debut full-length album, “Snow Angel,, Reneé Rapp crawls through the depths of her insecurities, personal trauma, heartache and people just being “f*cking annoying”.
The former Broadway star and TV actress got her start at only 18 years-old after winning the 2018 National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as “The Jimmy Awards.” From there, she was offered the role of Regina George in the Broadway musical adaption of Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls,” based on the 2004 film of the same name. Her theatrical run was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, she will be portraying the role in the 2024 film version of the musical, set to release in theaters this January. She also portrayed a staple character in Mindy Kaling’s TV show, “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” on HBO Max.
Rapp has expressed in numerous interviews that acting was always a gateway to a musical career; in fact, she told Tina Fey that she would only do “Mean Girls” on Broadway if Fey could help her find connections for her music. Rapp later ended up releasing her first single “Tattoos” in April of last year, an emotional power ballad that reflects on the trauma of past relationships, and hesitance moving forward. Two months later it was revealed that Rapp’s new release, “In The Kitchen,” would serve as the lead single for her EP, “Everything to Everyone.” This seven-track project, released in November of 2022, received some criticism for not sticking to a singular sound. Although the project is sonically diverse, I find that the first presentation of an artist’s work is a collection of everything a new artist has been working toward, and “Everything to Everyone” is a perfect glimpse into the world of talent that Rapp is capable of. In February of this year, Rapp announced that a deluxe version of the EP would be released with two additional tracks produced by Alexander 23, including the single “Bruises.”
In between filming of “Mean Girls” and “TSLOCG,” Rapp would spend her time in the studio with Alexander 23, carefully crafting songs that would eventually end up on her debut full-length album. After teasing a new project on social media for months, Rapp announced that her single “Snow Angel” would be released in June, followed by the album of the same title in September. The melancholy piano ballad reflects on an experience with the wrong people in wrong situations. Halfway through the song, the heartachey chords are interrupted by powerful electric guitar hits, a technique called “sonic contrast,” which has been growing in popularity the last few years (think Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” or Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire”). The song is completely transformed as Rapp’s extreme belts take over, and boy can she sing. “I’ll make it through the winter if it kills me” and “I loved back then what I hate today” are only a few of the gut wrenching lyrics that could prepare listeners for what was to come with the album.
“Talk Too Much,” a grungy bossa nova-esque pop rock tune, was the album’s opening track and second single, providing a glimpse into the musical diversity Rapp is capable of performing. She provides a harrowing medley of touching vocals in songs like “I Hate Boston” and “Gemini Moon,” in some of which she admits fault for the falling-out of a relationship, acknowledging her own guilt, “I bet you’re sick of it / believe me so am I.” Other songs focus on the inevitably of age and the remorse that comes with it; “I Wish” in particularly focuses on the thought of her parents one day leaving her side, questions like “how could the person who taught me to breathe / take their last breath right in front of me” leave Rapp seemingly hopeless against time. “23,” the album’s closer which takes place the day before her 23rd birthday, also begs the question “how old do you have to be / to live so young and careless? / my wish is that I care less / at 23.”
Along with the more sentimental tracks, Rapp once again brings impressive vocals to R&B-influenced power pop songs like “Pretty Girls” and “So What Now,” two incredible highlights on the album. Accompanied by various electric guitar instrumentals, this genre of song seems to perfectly balance the tone throughout the album when needed, keeping the tracklist diverse, yet cohesive.
The singer’s playful combination of lyrics come to show that a song is so much more than the words sung. Songs like “Tummy Hurts,” “Poison Poison” and “Willow” both include whimsical lyrics that may take some away from the sonic pleasure of the tracks; however, Rapp knew exactly what she was doing. A chorus of “you get on my nerves” and “I hate you and your guts” make for therapeutic scream-singing at concerts and in the car.
A stand out track, “The Wedding Song,” changes the game, acting as a turning point mid-album. In the song, Rapp describes a song she once wrote that “would’ve played at every wedding night.” The powerful chorus and bridge shifts truly encapsulate the aspect of a song within a song.
The singer has been teasing a deluxe release of the project in the future, with brand new tracks to accompany the previous 12.
Rapp has been on tour since September, with support from Alexander 23, and Towa Bird; both of which make an appearance throughout her set. The live show takes the audience on a journey through the seasons, inspired by her lyric “the seasons change / addiction’s strange,” on the title track. The 60 minute set is sung entirely live, with almost more impressive vocals than on the album itself.
Overall, Rapp’s debut album is sure to keep her on the map. Perfect for any age, the album flawlessly introduces who she is as an artist, and who she will continue to be. Music outlets everywhere have raved that the project “should push her firmly into pop star territory,” said The Associated Press. As a nominee for “Best New Artist” at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Rapp has been surrounded by Grammy buzz, and other potential award nominations.
