Chappell Roan review: The Midwest princess who’s pop’s next big star

As a seasoned music enthusiast with decades of listening under my belt, I must say that this week’s album releases have left me quite intrigued and entertained!

CHAPPELL ROAN (Manchester Academy)

Verdict: Pop’s new powerhouse

At the kick-off of Chappell Roan‘s UK tour in Manchester, it was tough not to sense that we were attending the crowning ceremony of the next big name in pop music.

Originating from Willard, Missouri, the singer was a little-known figure when her first album, “The Ascent and Decline of a Midwest Monarch,” was released in September 2023. However, her career has experienced an astonishing surge, making her seem almost invincible now.

At this intimate, club-style event, the energy was palpable, and Roan grabbed the opportunity with enthusiasm. Accompanied by a three-piece band made up of women, and adorned in lavender cowboy boots and a leotard featuring a mermaid theme complete with seashells and pearls, she spun and leaped about the stage as she sang her incredibly catchy tunes to a predominantly female audience.

At the time this concert was scheduled in January, Roan, aged 26, who was still a cult sensation, or as one of her songs calls it, a ‘femininomenon’, might have been capable of filling larger venues. However, she opted for an intimate setting to prove herself and prepare for the challenge of performing in larger arenas in the future.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, let me share my take on an event devoid of flashy screens, fiery explosions, or confetti showers. Instead, it was a delightfully vintage affair, where the spectacle lay in its simplicity. Special effects were minimal, featuring only a wind machine that playfully rustled through my long red tresses and a touch of dry ice to create a subtle, mystical ambiance.

Her enthusiastic fans, adorned in vibrant outfits similar to hers, eagerly absorbed it all. Roan has a knack for expressing the feelings of her youthful followers through straightforward, relatable tunes, and the fervor she instills was palpable. One fan shed tears of happiness upon receiving an unforeseen ticket outside the event. Later on, I overheard the phrase ‘the best concert ever’ being repeated as the devoted made their way home.

As a devoted admirer, I proudly embrace the flamboyant nature of the artist formerly known as Kayleigh Rose Amstutz. In tribute to my late grandfather, Dennis K. Chappell, and his beloved cowboy ballad, The Strawberry Roan, I adopted the stage name Chappell Roan. To me, this persona serves as a vibrant, exaggerated version of myself, influencing my unique style and providing me with the freedom to express myself boldly — often in provocative ways — through my lyrics.

With its standout tunes leading the way, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess reached the top spot on the UK charts in August, making up the majority of the content in this collection.

Roan has been involved romantically with people of different genders, and their music openly discusses personal experiences related to sexual discovery, romantic setbacks, and the LGBTQ community.

The ‘up and down’ of the title indicates that she started her 20s by working at a drive-through coffee shop following a temporary setback in her initially successful career path.

With Lucy Ritter’s steady drums, Allee Futterer’s deep bass lines, and Andrea Ferrero’s raw guitar tones backing her, she ignited a chain of pitch-perfect audience participation during her performance. Instead of the slick, electronic feel heard in the recorded versions, she gave these songs a grittier, rock-influenced edge on stage.

Picture You was a soulful ballad with a doo-wop feel. Red Wine Supernova almost raised the roof. On Pony Club, she sang of her first visit to a Hollywood gay bar, while the cheerleader-like chant of HOT TO GO! was accompanied by a corny dance routine that evoked memories of the Village People’s disco hit YMCA.

Underneath her shiny, polished image, there exists a subtler, more complex artist as well. For five years, Roan was under Atlantic Records, known for her folkier and more contemplative performances. In the song Coffee, she revealed her roots as a troubled child from rural Missouri, performing only with guitarist Ferrero by her side, using just an acoustic guitar.

Currently, she’s causing quite a stir, reminiscent of stars like Madonna and Lady Gaga, in the grand tradition they set. Unlike many contemporaries, she stands as an authentic success story. While artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift emerged from the Disney machine or Nashville’s hit-making factory, a young Roan kickstarted her career by sharing music on YouTube.

Currently, she’s mapping out future strategies, as this 70-minute performance requires expansion due to her rising popularity in live shows. She’s been incorporating fresh tunes into her collection of songs. The standout tracks from this event included the unpublished single “Good Luck, Babe!” and the emotional ballad “Subway”. This was a successful debut night for her — however, Chappell Roan is far from celebrating the end, as she’s only just starting to party.

Chappell Roan plays London’s O2 Academy Brixton, tonight and tomorrow (ticketmaster.co.uk).

Best of the new releases:

LONDON GRAMMAR: The Greatest Love (Ministry Of Sound)

Initially held back by anxiety, Hannah Reid has blossomed into a self-assured lead singer, with her heavenly voice taking the limelight on the fourth studio album from London Grammar.

This year, Reid experienced motherhood for the first time. Her music integrates earthy tones with grand, sweeping melodies, showcasing her background in classical music.

In the song titled ‘House’, she expresses, ‘This is where I dwell, this building is mine, I make the laws.’ On the other hand, the composition ‘You And I’ assumes the form of a letter penned to her younger self.

The main song incorporates grand, orchestral details without compromising the trio’s reputation for alternative pop music.

NELLY FURTADO: 7 (Polydor)

After a gap of seven years since my last album, here I am back with my seventh studio release, aptly titled for its significance. With ease, I seamlessly traverse various musical styles in this new collection of songs.

In a more varied style than some iconic hits from the 2000s like “I’m Like A Bird” or “Broken Strings,” Nelly Furtado showcases her adaptability by collaborating with Colombian band Bomba Estereo on the Latin-flavored “Corazon” and Swedish artist Tove Lo on the dance track “Love Bites.

She shows a more soulful side on All Comes Back, sung with fellow Canadian Charlotte Day Wilson.

BLOSSOMS: Gary (ODD SK)

The five-piece band from Stockport is expanding upon their gritty guitar foundation, infusing it with sleek funk and soulful pop sounds.

They’ve additionally brought on a new artist, the humorous Irish singer CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson), who lends a hand in recreating Blondie’s Rapture on I Like Your Look, and contributes to a sound reminiscent of New Order in Why Do I Give You The Worst Of Me?.

Songwriter Tom Ogden’s verses are cleverly crafted as well, featuring “Big Star” – a song about a trendsetter in Los Angeles – and the intriguing title track that recounts an actual event: the strange tale of a colossal fiberglass gorilla being stolen from a Scottish greenhouse.

Track of the week:

BAD DREAMS by TEDDY SWIMSTHE

Atlanta artist continues his success following the billion-streamed song Lose Control, by releasing a laid-back country-soul tune instead.

Having wowed the Reading and Leeds festivals, he returns for a sold-out London show in November.

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2024-09-20 02:07