Portals (Melanie Martinez album) explained

Portals
Type:studio
Artist:Melanie Martinez
Cover:Melanie Martinez - Portals.png
Alt:A strange pink creature called a Nymph.
Recorded:2020–2022
Genre:
Length:51:33
Label:Atlantic
Producer:
Prev Title:After School
Prev Year:2020

Portals is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez, released on March 31, 2023, through Atlantic Records.[1] It is Martinez's first album after she took a three-and-a-half-year hiatus from releasing music. With her return, she introduced a new image and sported a new creature. In support of the album, Martinez embarked on the Portals Tour in May 2023.

The album yielded three singles: "Death", "Void", and "Evil"; the first two marked her first original appearances on the chart, respectively reaching numbers 95 and 61 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 142,000 units.

Background and release

In 2019, Martinez released her second studio album K–12 alongside a musical film of the same name.[2] [3] [4] After a two-year hiatus from music, she started to archive all of her Instagram posts and began to tease her then upcoming album on February 18, 2023.[5] Martinez also released a twelve-second snippet of a song on Spotify.[6]

In February 2023, Martinez released a teaser video showing a mushroom in a foggy forest, with the phrase "RIP Crybaby" engraved in its stem, accompanied by a snippet of a new song.[7] Several more teasers were subsequently posted, representing the "themes of rebirth, growing embryos, and eggs incubating in forests".[8] One teaser showed Martinez "herself hatching from an egg as a pink fairy creature".[9] Martinez's official website was also updated showcasing the album cover while merchandise for the album became available to the public for pre-order.[10] The album's title was revealed through Martinez's official website.[11] Portals was finally released on March 31, 2023.[7]

Composition

Genres and themes

Portals is primarily an alternative art pop and art rock album with elements of dark pop, experimental pop, synth-pop, grunge and R&B.[12] [13] Throughout the album, Martinez displays "pop-rock songwriting, driving drum beats, and voice filters". The main theme of the album centres around the idea of a never-ending cycle of life and death and was described as "otherworldly and extraterrestrial". Martinez takes the form of her alter-ego Cry Baby (established from her previous albums Cry Baby and K-12) who is reborn as a "pink-skinned, four-eyed fairy creature that's stuck between Earth and the afterlife".

Music and content

The album begins with "Death" which "reintroduced her newfound concept" for the album. The song begins with the phrase "Death is life is death is life" while heavy breathing and fast-paced footsteps are used at the beginning of the song. The song leads into "Void" which uses a softer "ethereal ambience" sound and works as a "story of being in the void [...] in between life and death" while Martinez also talks about her insecurities. This is followed by "Tunnel Vision" which has "layered eerie vocals" and transitions into an trip-hop outro that ends with Melanie's sigh "Show me how far obsession goes / Could've been more, now we'll never know". "Faerie Soirée" is an "intricate alt-pop ballad". This is similar to the next track, "Light Shower", where Martinez uses "simplified and stripped-down" sounds.

"Spider Web" has a xylophone melody and describes a social media addiction through "spider imagery and being caught in the web".[14] The song seamlessly transitions into "Leeches" which was described as a "slimy and superficial" ballad. In "Battle of the Larynx", Martinez speaks out against male dominance against female psyche ["larynx" == "voice"]. The song was likened to that of rock music with a "fuzz-toned guitar riff and emphatic beat" and fades into ocean waves. "The Contortionist" has a traditional pop structure with an "array of orchestral elements, creating a pop symphony". "Moon Cycle" is a tragicomic and sketchy song about accidentally ruined relationship, which split Melanie regrets very.

"Nymphology" is a pop song with a chaotic climax. In the song, Martinez compares nymphs in Greek mythology to "men, social media and the music industry" who put "femme-presenting people" into boxes and "use them for their own pleasure or gain and discarding them".[14] This is followed by "Evil," which was called a stand-out on the album. The song sarcastically calls out an indecisive ex-partner refusing to reunite with the singer. The album ends with "Womb," which is a metaphor for Martinez's musical rebirth and loops back to the phrase "Life is death is life is death". The song also loops directly back into "Death" if played on repeat.[14]

Promotion

Live performances

In the weeks leading up to the album's release, Martinez debuted several songs from the album in South America. She performed at all three South American Lollapalooza festivals,[15] [16] as well as Festival Estéreo Picnic[17] and a solo headlining show in Santiago.[18] She also embarked on the Portals Tour.[19]

Singles

In March 2023, Martinez teased the lead single "Death" on Instagram, featuring a cryptic message and a photo showcasing a pink alien alter-ego "emerging from a prone human form". The song was released on March 17, 2023.[20] The single was written and produced by Martinez, with CJ Baran co-producing.[21] The song peaked at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her first original song on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Void" was released digitally as the second single from the album on March 29, 2023, and was sent to alternative radio in the United States on April 11, 2023.[22] The song charted at number 61 on the Hot 100.[23]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone writer Tomás Mier praised Martinez's use of a new alter-ego, noting that she used "that character to deliver her most introspective lyrics and sounds that move outside her sonic comfort zone". He called the album an "effortlessly inventive, mature record", saying that it "reintroduces her as an artist unafraid to start from scratch and tackle complex, difficult ideas". Brig Newspaper writer Emma Victoria Jenky called the album "undeniably authentic" and added that it is "exciting to see her grow her skills into production, and receiving credit for her genius ideas".[24]

Emma Herold, writer for The Cavalier Daily, praised the album calling it a "statement of rebirth" for Martinez. She noted that while there are "recognizable elements of Martinez's sound like syncopation and classic rhyme", she also felt there was a good combination of new sounds including "synth pop and a more harsh, grungy and dark tone".[25]

The Line of Best Fit writer Sam Franzini gave the album's lyrical content praise, comparing it to her older works, noting that the "themes are darker, and feel more real compared to her previous songs lacquered in metaphor". However, he felt that while her reinvention was "fantastical and imaginative", it failed to live up to her past work. Conversely, Evening Standard writer David Smyth gave the album three stars and criticised Martinez's lyrical content saying they were "comparatively lacking" and that "for the complete Martinez experience, the album isn't enough". He compared Martinez's new image to Björk, and so did Exclaim!, writing: "Björk can pull off this kind of thing because, well, she's Björk. The Voice alum [...], on the other hand, looks like an Annihilation extra who stumbled through a hedge."

Year-end lists

Critics' rankings for Portals
PublicationAccoladeRank
Exclaim!Exclaim!s 25 Worst Album Covers of 202310
Rolling StoneThe 100 Best Albums of 202356

Commercial performance

Portals debuted at number 2 on the US Billboard 200 with 142,000 equivalent album units of which 99,000 were from pure album sales, making it her highest-charting album in the country.[26] [27] The album also reached the top of the US Top Alternative Albums chart.[28] Internationally, the album reached number one in Australia and New Zealand, making it her first number-one album in both countries.[29] [30] It also reached number two in the United Kingdom, three in Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and top ten in Germany, Belgium, and Spain.[31]

Tour

Concert Tour Name:Portals Tour
Artist:Melanie Martinez
Album:Portals
Number Of Legs:3
Number Of Shows:54
Last Tour:K–12 Tour
(2019–2020)
This Tour:Portals Tour
(2023–2024)
Next Tour:The Trilogy Tour
(2024)

The Portals Tour is Martinez's fourth concert tour. The singer in support of her third studio album Portals announced the first leg, in North America, via her Instagram. Comprising thirty-one dates, the leg began on May 30, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, and concluded on July 15, 2023, in Montreal, Canada.[19] In March 2023, two dates in Mexico were added, bringing the North American leg to a scheduled close on October 19.[32] In June 2023, dates in Europe and Oceania were announced.[33]

Set list

The following set list is obtained from the Denver concert on May 30, 2023. It is not representative for all dates throughout the tour. All songs are styled in all uppercase.[34]

  1. "Death"
  2. "Void"
  3. "Tunnel Vision"
  4. "Faerie Soirée"
  5. "Light Shower"
  6. "Spider Web"
  7. "Leeches"
  8. "Battle of the Larynx"
  9. "The Contortionist"
  10. "Moon Cycle"
  11. "Nymphology"
  12. "Evil"
  13. "Womb"

Encore

  2. "Powder"
  3. "Pluto"
  4. "Milk of the Siren"

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023-2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[36] 4
Greek Albums (IFPI)[37] 56
Icelandic Albums (Plötutíðindi)[38] 20
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[39] 7
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[40] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[41] 112
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[42] 21

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)EditionLabel
VariousMarch 31, 2023StandardAtlantic[43]
United StatesVinyl LPTarget exclusive[44]
Urban Outfitters exclusive[45]
Walmart exclusive[46]
VariousApril 5, 2023Deluxe[47] [48]

Notes and References

  1. Mier . Tomás . February 22, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Transforms Into a Pink Creature for New Album Portals . February 22, 2023 . . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222203522/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/melanie-martinez-portals-album-1234684602 . live .
  2. Web site: Gamboa . Glenn . May 23, 2019 . LI Sound: Melanie Martinez readying new album, movie . May 30, 2019 . . May 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190523185411/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/columnists/glenn-gamboa/melanie-martinez-new-album-1.31423989 . live .
  3. Web site: Wass . Mike . September 4, 2019 . Film Review: Melanie Martinez's 'K-12' Is A Twisted Pop Musical . July 7, 2021 . . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316193539/https://www.idolator.com/7870647/film-review-melanie-martinez-k-12?view-all&chrome=1 . live .
  4. Web site: Grunenburg . Kira . September 25, 2020 . Get Set for Something Special with Melanie Martinez's 'After School' EP . October 23, 2020 . American singer-Songwriter. October 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201027120046/https://americansongwriter.com/after-school-melanie-martinez-album-interview/ . live .
  5. Web site: February 19, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Takes a Fresh Start After Cleaning Most of Her Instagram Photos . March 10, 2023 . Latestly . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311023028/https://www.latestly.com/socially/entertainment/melanie-martinez-seems-to-be-starting-her-new-era-after-clearing-most-of-her-instagram-latest-tweet-by-pop-base-4856413.html . live .
  6. Web site: February 18, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Gives a Glimpse of Her 2023 Single; Singer Releases 12 Seconds Audio of Her New Song on Spotify . March 16, 2023 . Latestly . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311024536/https://www.latestly.com/socially/entertainment/melanie-martinez-has-released-a-12-second-snippet-on-spotify-latest-tweet-by-pop-base-4856872.html . live .
  7. Web site: Our . Darwin . February 22, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Is Back and Better Than Ever . March 10, 2023 . Glitter Magazine . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311022716/https://glittermagazine.co/2023/02/21/melanie-martinez-is-back-and-better-than-ever/ . live .
  8. Web site: Rivera . Kelsey . February 22, 2023 . A look into Melanie Martinez's alien-inspired new album 'Portals' . March 10, 2023 . . March 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230310234448/https://en.as.com/entertainment/a-look-into-melanie-martinez-alien-inspired-new-album-portals-n/ . live .
  9. Web site: Mier . Tomás . February 22, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Transforms Into a Pink Creature for New Album 'Portals' . March 10, 2023 . . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311022712/https://sports.yahoo.com/melanie-martinez-transforms-pink-creature-202038185.html . live .
  10. Web site: Krishnamurthy . Chaitra . February 22, 2023 . Melanie Martinez's merch featuring Portals album cover art is selling out . March 10, 2023 . . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311023450/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/02/23/melanie-martinezs-merch-featuring-portals-album-cover-art-is-selling-out/ . live .
  11. Web site: Portals Lyric Reveal . March 16, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Music . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316193542/https://www.melaniemartinezmusic.com/lyricreveal . live .
  12. Web site: DeWald . Mike . March 30, 2023 . Album Review: Melanie Martinez comes to life on 'Portals' . Riff Magazine . March 31, 2023 . March 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331040538/https://riffmagazine.com/album-reviews/melanie-martinez-portals/ . live .
  13. Web site: Frank. Lovence. Baldwin's Melanie Martinez to headline Radio City show. Newsday. April 3, 2023. April 4, 2023. April 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404082105/https://www.newsday.com/amp/entertainment/music/melanie-martinez-portals-jvn0m4qi. live.
  14. Web site: Melanie Martinez 'Portals' album analysis, review. Collegian. April 13, 2023. June 30, 2023. Eckburg. Bella.
  15. Web site: Drake, Blink-182, Billie Eilish Are Headlining Lollapalooza South America In 2023 . 2023-04-01 . Nylon . October 11, 2022 . en . December 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205001727/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/lollapalooza-chile-argentina-brazil-2023-headliners-dates . live .
  16. Web site: Melanie Martinez looks terrifying at Lollapalooza Argentina 103.5 KISS FM . 2023-04-01 . The Fred Show . en . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401204145/https://1035kissfm.iheart.com/featured/the-fred-show/content/2023-03-19-melanie-martinez-looks-terrifying-at-lollapalooza-argentina/ . live .
  17. Web site: Hernandez . Jeanette . 2022-10-11 . Estéreo Picnic Festival's Lineup Just Dropped & It's Epic . 2023-04-01 . Remezcla . en-US . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401204143/https://remezcla.com/music/estereo-picnic-festival-lineup-just-dropped-its-epic-bogota/ . live .
  18. Web site: ¿Quedan entradas? Melanie Martínez llega con toda su música al sideshow de Lollapalooza . 2023-04-01 . RedGol . February 27, 2023 . es-ES . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401204148/https://redgol.cl/tiempolibre/Lollapalooza-Chile-Quedan-entradas-para-Melanie-Martinez-20230227-0073.html . live .
  19. Mier . Tomás . April 3, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Announces Portals Summer Tour . April 5, 2023 . Rolling Stone . April 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404205548/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/melanie-martinez-portals-tour-1234708850/ . live .
  20. Web site: Rivera . Kelsey . March 15, 2023 . Melanie Martinez to release first single 'Death' from upcoming album 'Portals' on Friday . March 15, 2023 . Diario AS . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311021526/https://en.as.com/entertainment/a-look-into-melanie-martinez-alien-inspired-new-album-portals-n/ . live .
  21. Web site: Vigil . Dom . March 17, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Returns With New Single, "Death" . March 17, 2023 . Prelude Press . en-US . March 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317162443/https://preludepress.com/featured/2023/03/17/melanie-martinez-death/ . live .
  22. Web site: Alternative Future Releases. All Access Music Group. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405093547/https://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases. April 5, 2023. April 7, 2023.
  23. Web site: Fabris . Andres . March 29, 2023. Melanie Martinez releases 'Void'. April 15, 2023. The Music Universe. en-US.
  24. Web site: Melanie Martinez PORTALS album review – a psychedelic trip to a new dimension. June 27, 2023. Brig Newspaper. Victoria Jenky. Emma. April 3, 2023.
  25. Web site: Melanie Martinez is reborn in her new concept album "PORTALS". The Cavalier Daily. Herold. Emma. April 17, 2023. June 30, 2023.
  26. Will Melanie Martinez's 'Portals' Open at No. 1 on the Billboard 200?. June 27, 2023. Billboard. Unterberger. Andrew.
  27. Caulfield . Keith . 2023-04-09 . Morgan Wallen's 'One Thing at a Time' Notches Fifth Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 . 2023-04-10 . . en-US.
  28. Melanie Martinez & Boygenius Rule Billboard Rock Album Charts. June 27, 2023. Billboard. Rutherford. Kevin.
  29. Web site: Discography Melanie Martinez. charts.nz. March 1, 2020.
  30. Br . Lars . le . 2023-04-07 . Melanie Martinez Defeats DMA'S For Australian Chart Crown . 2023-04-15 . Billboard.
  31. Web site: Melanie Martinez brings 'Portals' album to life with over the top production. July 8, 2023. The Music Universe. Iahn. Buddy. June 10, 2023.
  32. Web site: Melanie Martinez Melanie Martinez takes on the persona of Cry Baby for the entire show. Portals . 2023-05-31 . Melanie Martinez . en.
  33. Web site: Melanie Martinez Shares New Video for "VOID" — New Tour Dates for Europe, Australia, New Zealand. July 8, 2023. Grimy Goods. June 14, 2023. Olinger. Sandra B.
  34. Web site: Melanie Martinez Kicks Off the Portals Tour in Denver . 2023-05-31 . setlist.fm . en.
  35. Web site: [Part 2: AMULET] ]. 2023-04-04 . Genius . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405155429/https://ads.assemblyexchange.com/doh/ingest?partner=adkernel&uid=371e0011-5a5f-446e-80b3-3b87deaf2ee8&property_id=genius.com&app_version=web_0.0.1&lib_version=web_2.1.3&partner_uid=A6307035566741057985 . live .
  36. Web site: Lista prodaje 15. tjedan 2023. (03.04.2023. – 09.04.2023.). April 22, 2023 . HDU. hr. April 22, 2023.
  37. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 31/2024). IFPI Greece. August 7, 2024. August 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240807062328/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html. dead.
  38. Web site: Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 14 – 2023. Plötutíðindi. is. The Music – Albums – Week 14 – 2023. April 15, 2023.
  39. Web site: 2023 14-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. April 7, 2023. April 7, 2023.
  40. Melanie Martinez Chart History (Top Rock & Alternative Albums). Billboard. 11 April 2022.
  41. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.
  42. Top Rock & Alternative Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.
  43. Portals release formats:
    • Web site: Portals CD . March 10, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Music . February 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230224062539/https://store.melaniemartinezmusic.com/products/standard-cd . live .
    • Web site: Portals Digital Album . March 28, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Music . March 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230327210644/https://store.melaniemartinezmusic.com/products/portals-digital-album . live .
    • Web site: Portals Vinyl . March 10, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Music . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311005915/https://store.melaniemartinezmusic.com/products/vinyl . live .
  44. Web site: Portals (Target Exclusive) Vinyl . March 10, 2023 . . March 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230310234438/https://www.target.com/p/melanie-martinez-portals-target-exclusive-vinyl-ruby-red/-/A-88627730 . live .
  45. Web site: Portals (Urban Outfitters Exclusive) Vinyl . March 10, 2023 . . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316193513/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/melanie-martinez-portals-limited-lp . live .
  46. Web site: Portals (Walmart Exclusive) Vinyl . March 10, 2023 . . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316193531/https://www.walmart.com/ip/Melanie-Martinez-Portals-Lavendar-Vinyl-Walmart-Exclusive/1049400603 . live .
  47. Web site: Portals Digital Deluxe Album . April 5, 2023 . Melanie Martinez Music . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405155413/https://store.melaniemartinezmusic.com/products/portals-digital-deluxe-album . live .
  48. Web site: Martinez . Melanie . April 5, 2023 . Portals (Deluxe) . April 5, 2023 . Apple Music (US) . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405064310/https://music.apple.com/us/album/portals-deluxe/1680490456 . live .

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