Melissa Kacar

"California" is a strikingly candid reflection on Chappell Roan 's life and early career, written right as she was on the cusp of her music breakthrough she had spent years chasing. It captures the pursuit of making a name for herself, and the fear that everything she wanted most might still be just out of reach. The weight of disappointment is at the center of this song - both the disappointment in herself, and in the fear that she's letting others down by walking away from the version of her dream she had always imagined. There is a distinct heartache to her performance as she captures the loss of hope and in wondering whether the thing she poured her heart into simply isn't going to work out. If her story in the years that followed says anything, it's that no dream is ever too far out of reach. The way that "California" was written as a moment of reflection is so relatable, especially for anyone chasing a life in the arts, and endlessly trying to...

"The Subway" is deeply heartfelt and unflinchingly honest as Chappell Roan recalls the kind of specific, intimate details of a love that got away. All of the memories still linger, almost as if she's haunted by them. The long‑awaited official release feels like such a major moment in her career. It's truly the best song she has released thus far with so much emotion packed into every single lyric.  After its live debut at The Governor's Ball in New York City in June 2024 where she performed it, of course, dressed as The Statue of Liberty in a taxi‑patterned dress, the song quickly went on to become a beloved fan favorite. Even though Chappell debuted it in summer 2024, the official release didn't arrive until summer 2025 , after nearly a full year of performing it at festivals and shows around the world. At the time of its debut, she performed it without any plan for an official release and hadn't even recorded the song yet. The studio version, which sh...

A great range of artists were celebrated at this year's Grammy ceremony, making it one of the most stacked and memorable shows in recent years. The night was filled not only with incredible performances, but also with meaningful artistic statements that felt especially apt to be making for this moment in history we are living through. Music remains one of the most unifying forces we have, and the statements so many artists chose to make on this stage felt especially important. In a time marked by division, unrest, and the constant heartache of witnessing horrors around the world, moments like this remind us why we need music more than ever to bring us together. Kendrick Lamar was the most nominated artist of the year, earning nine nominations. His album  GNX  was absolutely incredible and truly deserving of all the hype and then some. At the main ceremony, he won for Best Rap Album and for Record of the Year for "luther" featuring SZA . When accepting his award for Best ...