K-12 | Melanie Martinez
American singer Melanie Martinez came back with a brand new album “K-12” in September 2019. Instead of publishing music videos, the album is released with a 90-minute music film of the same name.
The “K” in “K-12” stands for kindergarten and the “12” represents the twelve grades. Every track in the album conveys the school life of different grades. The film basically describes the school life of Crybaby and how she and her friends fight against a morbid school, which uses drugs to control students. It is full of creativity and Melanie’s dark, pastel gothic style. In my opinion, Melanie probably came up with the concepts of the film before producing the album and the way she presents the songs are very surprising. Although the song titles, like “Class Fight” and “Detention”, revolve around schools, the music is not limited only to this theme but also have some deeper meanings and describes more far-reaching concepts with Melanie’s own way of expression.
The plot of the film flows along each track, and the story behind K-12 continues the story of Melanie’s previous album “Crybaby”.
In the music video of the last song in “Crybaby”, “Mad Hatter”, Melanie’s fictional character Crybaby wakes up from her dream and her eyes turn all black. Picking up where it left off, the start of the film explains the reason behind the black eyes: superpower.
The opening track “Wheels On the Bus” plays while Crybaby is on her way to kindergarten. The arrangement of this song even uses the melody of a traditional children song of the same name. The lyrics unfolds the societal problem that people are neglecting troubled teens at school.
And I’m trying not to look across the aisle
’Cause Maya’s letting Dan put his hand up her skirt
And she’s got her hand down his pantsI know the driver sees it
I know he’s peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it’s fu*king boring
I’m quietly observing, I’m saying nothing
The verse and pre-chorus are revealing the disregard of the education system for teenagers and the stress that they go through while trying to go about the days. The lyrics also allows us to catch a sight of how difficult it is for them to do everyday activities, such as riding a bus, while adults are constantly ignoring the situation and avoiding their responsibility to solve the problem. Another indication of issues in the education system is the disturbing fact that the bus driver is drunk driving in this scene in the film.
Moving on, a male teacher dressed as a woman appears on screen and tells the Principal that he is “transitioning” and he would like to be addressed as a woman. But in return, he is being laughed at and got fired by the principal. This scene touches on the issue of sexuality and how queer people often experience disadvantages. While Crybaby uses her superpower to peep into the principal’s office, it brings us to the 3rd track “The Principal”.
The song revolves around the principal being incompetent and selfish, but in fact, it is metaphorically judging the current President of the United States, Donald Trump.
It’s not just me, it’s everybody who thinks that you’re fu*king ugly
The line above refers to the situation that the appearance of Trump is repeatedly being mocked and made into memes, from Cheetos to a Troll.
I’ve tried to make you listen, but you won’t, it’s your way, right?
Killing kids all day and night, prescription pills and online fights
Shooting at the angels while claiming you’re the good guy
All you want is cash and hype
Fu*k our dreams and that’s not right
The chorus specifically makes references to Trump’s lack of action taken in regards to school shootings. The public has continuously called on him to restrict gun law and ownership but he has not responded with any protocol.
In this part of the film, instead of acting out the lyrics, Melanie presents the song with a dance sequence. Despite the dark and grim lyrics, she and the dancers are wearing 18th-century gowns and dresses in pastel colours. The whole aesthetic is uncanny but very unique.
Other tracks in the album discuss different problematic topics as well. For instance, “Show And Tell” , “Drama Club”, “Detention” and “Recess” talk about the struggles Melanie faces as a public figure and how she suffers from depression while people criticise her. They are also reflexive, in which they address issues relating to the music industry.
The teachers don’t care about me
Fu*k how I feel as long as I make money
They let them do whatever they want to me
They’re the customer, I’m chopped meat
The verse in “Detention” uses teachers as a metaphor for music companies and record labels who do not care about anything as long as the artists are making profit for them. Just like how a customer can buy chopped meat and make it into dishes that they want, artists are treated in a way that customers decide everything about them.
Meanwhile “Strawberry Shortcake” and “Orange Juice” bring up the challenges faced by women nowadays. Melanie uses strawberry shortcake as a symbol of women’s body, describing how teenage girls are unconfident of their bodies because of the extremely high standard of beauty in the society.
Also, cakes sometimes have a sexual meaning and Melanie uses this sexually suggestiveness to depict harassment. In this scene of the film, her body becomes a literal cake and the boys are feasting on her without her permission. She is taking a stand on the rape culture that encourages the objectification of women.
Got boys acting like they ain’t seen skin before
Got sent home to change ’cause my skirt is too shortIt’s my fault, it’s my fault ’cause I put icing on top
Now, the boys want a taste of the strawberry shortcake
That’s my bad, that’s my bad, no one told them not to grab
Now, the boys want a taste of the strawberry shortcake
The lyrics mentions that people tend to blame the victims when it comes to cases of sexual assault. Women are often held accountable for it because of they are wearing form-fitting or revealing clothing.
All in all, the album K-12 examines controversial issues in the current society such as the rigid education system, gender identity, bullying, eating disorders, etc. On the other hand, Melanie also asks people to stop conforming to traditional stereotypes, and encourages us to accept our imperfections and love ourselves even if others don’t acknowledge. Being a singer-songwriter, a director, an actor, as well as a dancer, Melanie Martinez is a talented, all-round artist.