Renee Rapp answered fan’s prayers with the release of Snow Angel, a 12-track project that takes a deep dive into the labyrinth of her own emotions and experiences.
Following her debut EP Everything to Everyone released in 2022, Snow Angel acts as an expanded window into the young artist’s heart and mind. The album is woven with a thematic pattern of introspection, marked by a quest to find answers to questions surrounding love, mortality, and personal growth.
“The answer I came away [from the album with] is that I am always going to have more questions about myself”
Renee Rapp at °1824 Press Conference
“I Think I Talk Too Much”
The album begins with a gradual pace that evolves into a melodic tune, centered on an inner dialog that results from a dream. The lyrics take the spotlight as they are introspective in nature and aim to rationalize her actions in her dream. Rapp explores the concept of vocalizing her thoughts and not just keeping them internal. In that process, the song’s chorus “I think I talk too much”, becomes the conclusion of her self-evaluation. Electric guitars come in during the second chorus as she acknowledges that she tends to verbalize her thoughts excessively in an effort to understand her actions. The line “I’m here again, talking myself out of my own happiness” ties to this idea that her constant over analysis of threats to her happiness paradoxically leads to the detriment of that happiness.
“The Talk Too Much music video was super fun, but it was a mind f*** to figure out”
Renee Rapp at °1824 Press Conference
“I Hate Boston”
A piano introduces melancholy to the project, painting a somber picture of a memory. Her vocals take a more angelic tone, evoking a sense of longing associated with the feelings past sweet, now bitter memories around a city. The chorus stands out and carries a gospel-like quality as it poses a central question: “How’d you make me hate Boston?” The lyrics suggest there are lingering memories of a romance that have since intertwined with the everyday places in Boston tainting her experience of the city.
“Poison Poison”
This song showcases Rapp’s versatility in tone, as it has a more pop-oriented style compared to the other songs. The lyrics are delivered in a carefree and matter-of-fact manner. They openly convey the strong negative emotions that stem from the actions of someone who could seemingly “Poison Poison”. Interestingly, the instrumental backing track and vocal delivery create a different ambience compared to the lyrical content. In her press conference with °1824, Rapp shed light into the process of making this song stating that she went through three different iterations before the song eventually found its catchy form.
“Gemini Moon”
The vocal pitch from the preceding song is translated into softer spoken lines, embodying another internal dialogue that captures the feeling of inadequacy. Rapp takes her time to vividly illustrate the conflicting thoughts and emotions that ebb and flow within her. The lyrics “I exist on a pendulum” explore the idea, while the chorus “I bet you are sick of it, believe me, so am I” shifts the tonality to reveal her self-awareness is pushing her to “just be better to you”.
“Snow Angel”
Returning to a soft lyrical style, Snow Angel serves as the thesis of this album.The tone is set during a winter journey amidst challenging conditions. Introspection is revisited and paired with sonic gaps between the lyrics. The line, “I’ll angel in the snow until I’m (worthy) worthy” encapsulates her aspiration to evolve into a better version of herself. The progression of her voice from a vulnerable to a gospel-like tone reaches a peak before gently receding into softness, concluding with an abrupt ending.
“So What Now”
In this song, the themes found in “I Hate Boston” are revisited. The emotions expressed are a mixture of residual sourness from the break up entwined with a subtle hint at a desire to try again. This delicate blend of conflicting emotions is an example of the complexity of the human experience, a theme present throughout the album.The line “If we run into each other on the street, should I keep walking?” is a valid question in the context of what seems to be an unresolved conclusion to the relationship.
“The Wedding Song”
Rapp explores the depth of her feelings and the weight of the relationship’s abrupt ending. She reveals her past intention of preparing for a future that seemed destined for marriage. The act of singing “The Wedding Song” serves as a direct expression of the deep connection she once felt.
“We re-recorded The Wedding Song so many times. It’s a really hard thing. And I had breakdowns in the studio.”
Renee Rapp at °1824 Press Conference
“Pretty Girls”
A transition begins with an ominous sound that unfolds into a slowly strummed guitar. Rapp recounts an experience of an attraction between pretty girls, one of whom, to her detriment, merely wishes to experiment. The tone shifts with an upbeat tempo and the lyrics hint at a perhaps routine scenario within the queer community. The chorus, “All the pretty girls, they have a couple drinks… so now they wanna kiss all the pretty girls” serves as commentary to the dynamics of attraction and identity.
“I typically find it easier to write sad songs… Pretty Girls is my most up tempo song.. But it’s a really sad song.”
Renee Rapp at °1824 Press Conference
“Tummy Hurts”
The situation narrated in this song revolves around a sense of regret and anticipation of karma directed at a past lover who caused her pain. Rapp draws her experience with an unreliable partner who has since begun another relationship. She notes the potential repercussions that this person might face. Specifically, the probability of fathering a daughter who’s heart will be hurt like he has done to other girls in his past.
“I Wish”
An acoustic guitar sets the ambience, evoking a journey through a sad memory. Rapp delves into the idea of death and how it impacts our way of thinking into adulthood. In her reflection, she acknowledges the ever present feeling of sadness, metaphorically referred to as “blue” which seems to keep its vibrancy, while other colors fade. There is a longing for the innocence and simplicity of youth as the finality of death births the question “How could the person who taught me to breathe, take their last breath not in front of me?”.
“Willow”
“Willow” emerges as a song of empathy. Rapp engages in the tender act of observing a young individual navigate life and offers gentle advice. The chorus serves as a harmonious cocoon of layered vocals, giving the song a soothing quality. The backing track completes a feeling of landing safely on a bed of pillows giving this song the intended effect of reassurance for Willow.
“23”
The album closes on a final reflection of self and the passage of time. A sentiment following an unchanged birthday wish “ to care less” which offers a glimpse into Rapp’s motivations and aspirations. The idea of acting your age is explored in the lyrics “So, how old do you have to be to live so young and careless?”. Rapp seems to want to unearth a feeling to set her free from the anxiety that comes with caring too much. This desire to embrace a classic careless youth seems interwoven with other explored feelings of inadequacy and constant reflective narratives found throughout the album.
Renee Rapp is on the Snow Hard Feelings Tour Sept – March tickets here.
Emily is a southern bred writer and devoted bike-rider from Mission, Texas. She is known for crafting the finest assortment of playlists for every occasion. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin. Emily enjoys dabbling in a variety of hobbies and is always out to learn something new. She is an ISFJ (Defender Personality) according to 16 Personalities, do what you will with that information.
