“Cry Baby” album review

Anniston Weber, Online News and Media Editor|March 22, 2016

“Cry Baby” is Melanie Martinez’s debut album which was released Aug. 14, 2015. Martinez is an upcoming singer/songwriter and made her mark on “The Voice” after becoming a member of Team Adam. “Cry Baby” debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, coming in at #6 with 40,000 total copies sold in its first week. The album also topped the alternative albums chart by coming in at #1. There is both an explicit and a clean version of the album released.

Melanie Martinez in her music video for Dollhouse
Melanie Martinez in her music video for Dollhouse.

Ever since I happened across one of her songs on Pandora, I have been absolutely hooked. Here is a review of all the songs on the “Cry Baby” album.

1. Cry Baby
Cry Baby is a song about how Martinez views herself. In an interview with VICE magazine, Martinez stated that the song was about a girl who is sensitive and living as a child in a world full of adult problems.
This song has an adorable music video and a relatable theme. I give it a 7/10.

2. Dollhouse
Dollhouse is about a family that appears to be perfect from the outside, but with closer inspection has a multitude of problems. The mother is an alcoholic due to her husbands infidelity and the son is wrapped up in drugs.
This song is incredibly catchy and can very easily become stuck in your head, yet still has a serious theme to it. I give it a 9/10.

3.  Sippy Cup
Sippy Cup is a song furthering the details of the lives of the family from Dollhouse. In the music video, the unstable mother catches her husband cheating. She then proceeds to murder her husband and poison her children.
It took me a few listens to actually enjoy this song. However, after listening to the album quite a few times, it has grown on me. I give it an 8/10.

4. Carousel
Carousel was featured in FX’s series American Horror Story: Freak Show. The song is about a girl falling in love with a boy at a carnival, however he doesn’t reciprocate his feelings.
Carousel has kind of a creepy yet fun vibe to it. It’s really different compared to anything on the radio currently, which might be part of the reason it’s so appealing. I give it a 9/10.

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5. Alphabet Boy
Alphabet Boy is about a college teacher Martinez had. In an interview with VICE magazine, she claimed her teacher attempting to “teach” her how to write music infuriated her. All of the verses have alphabetical alliteration in them.
While the lyrics are incredibly clever, the beat isn’t something that has entirely stuck with me. I really do enjoy the meaning behind the song, though. I give it an 8/10.

6. Soap
Soap was written about an ex-boyfriend of Martinez. Three different music videos have been released for this song, including a double-feature video with another song from “Cry Baby”.
This song has kind of a K-Pop vibe to it. It’s interesting, but not something most modern music listeners would be used to in this area. It’s got a great meaning behind it though, and it’s incredibly relatable too. I give it an 9/10.

7.  Training Wheels
Training Wheels is the first love song Martinez had ever written. Martinez told Pop Dust she wasn’t used to writing love songs, but wanted to challenge herself to write something where she was OK with the idea of love.
The song is cute, but I just don’t love it as much as her other songs on the album. I give it a 5/10.

8. Pity Party
Pity Party centers around a brassy, pop theme. The song is about a girl who throws a birthday party and no one shows up, causing her to have an absolutely chaotic emotional breakdown.
I love this song. It’s so catchy and the music video is adorable yet still keeps the creepy feeling of the whole album. I’ve had it on repeat the past couple of day. I give it a 10/10.
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9. Tag, You’re It
This song covers the topic of sexual assault, using the children’s game “tag” as a metaphor.

I’m really just not a fan of this one. I think it’s because of how uncomfortable the message and feeling of the song is to me. I give it a 5/10.

10. Milk and Cookies
Milk and Cookies follows the fantasy story of Martinez’s character being assaulted in “Tag, You’re It.” In an interview with VICE, Martinez said this song is about how her character offers her captor poisonous milk and cookies, which helps her escape.

This song has a lullaby feel to it. The more I listen to it, the more I enjoy it. I give it a 7/10.

11. Pacify Her
The title of this song is a clever play on the word “pacifier”, which falls into the theme of the music. In this song, the character is trying to embrace her craziness but is also attempting to break up a relationship.
I like the message in this song. It also has a different beat compared to the rest of the album. The lyrics in this song are more drawn out while still focusing on a pop beat. I give it a 7/10.

12. Mrs. Potato Head
This song brings up the idea of plastic surgery. This is Martinez’s favorite song from the “Cry Baby” album, and I have to agree with that.
The clever analogy to a Potato Head doll followed by the deep meaning of how hard people try to be attractive comes together with a really catchy best. I give it a 10/10.

13. Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter is about being okay with going crazy. The song is very lyrical and has a hip-hop vibe.
I think this is a very fun song. If you listen closely, some of the lyrics are pretty creepy – but that fits in well with the rest of the album. I give it a 6/10.

14. Play Date
This is another song that centers around a child in adult situations. In this song, the character tries to pretend doesn’t care about someone, but in the end gives up and confesses her feelings.
This song is really cute and catchy. It also has a crass side and blunt side, which is neat. I give it a 7/10.

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15. Teddy Bear
In this song, the Teddy Bear is a metaphor for a relationship that took a turn for the worst. I’m also not much of a fan of this particular song. The beat just feels off and Melanie’s voice just doesn’t sound right. I give it a 4/10.

16. Cake
This song is about a girl who is upset with her lover and feels as though he sees her as only an object. “Cake” is one of the bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition of “Cry Baby”.
This song is another one of my favorites. It’s so catchy and the meaning that goes along with it is something that many people go through. I give it a 10/10.

Overall, I think this has easily become one of my favorite albums. The theme and the feel of Melanie Martinez’s voice have really caught my attention and I can’t wait to see what she produces in the future. I’d recommend this album to anything who enjoys indie, pop or alternative music. I rate the whole album 8/10 overall.