If Tumblr got rid of all of the ads, Melanie Martinez might make a comeback on the platform.
Martinez joined Billboard‘s Hannah Dailey for a new episode of In Conversation, a video series that invites the biggest names in music to speak on their creative processes, personal journeys and careers. In the interview, the “Play Date” singer and former Tumblr icon shared how much she misses being on the social media platform (“I love the format, and I love being able to create a layout. It’s such a creative platform”), who she’s listening to (Big Thief and Mitski) and her favorite artist of all time (Fiona Apple).
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Martinez also opened up extensively about the process of writing her fourth studio album, Hades. Released March 27, Hades introduces listeners to the singer’s newest fantasy world. With the new universe, Martinez decided to kill off her old alter ego, Cry Baby, a character that she first introduced with the album of the same name in 2015. In Cry Baby’s place, Martinez created a new main character, Circle, whose journey listeners follow throughout Hades and who will also be the protagonist of a film Martinez is working on.
The new LP is one half of a two-part project on which Martinez is building one dystopia and one utopia. Hades, of course, is the dystopia. Though the album creates a fantasy world, the songs’ themes are inspired by real life. In the In Conversation interview, Martinez goes through the Hades tracklist and explains what from the real world influenced each song. Themes such as toxic relationship dynamics, performative allyship, feminine rage and beauty standards are all featured on the album. Martinez also pulled inspiration from the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing crisis and Hollywood’s commodification of women.
“I do think it’s important as well to try to create melodies and sonnets around important topics to open up new perspective to people,” Martinez tells Billboard.
Though the themes on the dystopian album are pulled from real life, Martinez also acknowledges that there is also so much to be grateful for in the world — hence, why she will also be releasing the utopian album.
“There’s so much beauty in the world. There’s so much to be grateful for,” she says. “Human connection is palpable and potent and juicy.”
Watch the new episode of In Conversation featuring Melanie Martinez above.
