“VOID” the second single of Melanie Martinez‘s latest album “PORTALS” is an infectiously catchy dark Alt-Pop tune. Martinez’s airy, ethereal vocals are complemented perfectly by a Pop-rock instrumental, carried by driving bass guitarm, and live drums by Rhys Hastings.

The introspective lyrics explore the struggles of grappling with self-judgement and antagonistic intrusive thoughts. The mixture of vulnerable, honest storytelling and slightly ominous instrumentation create a track that sticks with you long after the first listen. Martinez wrote and produced the Alt-pop earworm herself.

“PORTALS” is Martinez’s first release in nearly four years and has lived up to the high expectations of fans. The first single “DEATH” has debuted in the Billboard Hot 100 within the first week of its release. The music video premiered on YouTube to almost 80 000 fans who tuned in for the occasion and has already been viewed 9.4 million only 9 days after its release.         

The video was directed, conceived, and costume designed by Martinez herself, and is currently trending at #1 on YouTube for music. It has been streamed almost 18 million times on Spotify. “VOID” has also gotten almost 6 million streams on Spotify, only four days after its release. It is clear that Melanie hasn’t lost any of her audience appeal in her absence from releasing music, and she certainly deserves their support for the quality of music she continues to put out. 

PORTALS, follows her 2 billion-streaming, RIAA Gold-certified second album from 2019, “K-12”. “K-12” was a concept album that was accompanied by a feature-length film that Martinez wrote, directed, and starred in. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the hit single “Show & Tell.”

Martinez released her debut album, “Cry Baby,” in 2015, which was also a concept album that told the story of a fictional character named Cry Baby through a series of Pop-infused tracks. The album received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. It also spawned several hit singles, including “Pity Party” and “Soap.”

Melanie was born on April 28, 1995, in Astoria, Queens, New York. She grew up in Baldwin, Long Island, and was exposed to music at a young age, thanks to her mother, who was a fan of artists like The Beatles and Björk. She started writing songs when she was just 14 years old, and after finishing high school, she pursued a music career.

In 2012, Martinez auditioned for the third season of the hit TV show “The Voice,” where she performed a stripped-down version of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” Although she didn’t make it past the knockout rounds, her performance caught the attention of record labels, and she was eventually signed to Atlantic Records.

Throughout her career, Martinez has been known for her unique visual aesthetic, which often incorporates elements of horror and surrealism, and for her unforgettable live performances. She has also been praised for her introspective and confessional songwriting, which often deals with themes of trauma, mental health, and self-acceptance.

In addition to her music career, Martinez has also dabbled in fashion and design, collaborating with brands like Dolls Kill and Koi Footwear on clothing lines. She was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2021, and continues to be a powerful and influential voice in the pop music landscape.

“VOID” is a track that’s moving lyrics are sure to have an impact on you. Its catchy instrumentation and melodies will also be stuck in your head for ages if my experience is any sort of indicator. I highly suggest you listen to “VOID” as soon as possible and check out the entirety of “PORTALS” if you like what you hear. I only discovered Melanie Martinez’s music recently but have been truly wowed by it and can’t wait to see what she does next in her already highly impressive music career.