Cry Baby | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 14, 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2013–2015 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 46:38 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Producer |
| |||
Melanie Martinez chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Cry Baby | ||||
|
Cry Baby is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Melanie Martinez, released on August 14, 2015, through Atlantic Records. Between September and December 2012, Martinez rose to prominence upon participating in the third season of the American edition of The Voice . After the show's completion, the singer began working independently on original material, which she [lower-alpha 1] says she spent the majority of 2013 writing.
The album was supported by the release of three singles. "Pity Party", was released on June 2, 2015, [1] and, "Soap", was released on July 10, 2015. The third and final single, "Sippy Cup" was released July 31, 2015. Cry Baby is a visual concept album about a character named Cry Baby, who is a fantasy version of Martinez.
Musically, Cry Baby is primarily an alternative pop, [2] electropop, [3] and indie pop [4] record, and received generally positive reviews from critics. In the United States, the album was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, after earning 2 million album-equivalent units (sales, streaming, and track sales). In 2020, the song "Play Date", went viral on video-sharing platform TikTok, causing the album to re-enter charts globally.
Martinez had an extended play completely done around 2013, which she began recording soon after she was eliminated from The Voice and was ready to put it out. However, after creating her song "Dollhouse" in September 2013, she decided not to release the aforementioned extended play. She began conceptualizing her debut album, which differed from the sound of the 2013 EP. In May 2014, Melanie put out her Dollhouse EP, and announced that summer that she hoped to have her album out around October. When October came, Melanie released the video for "Carousel" and postponed her release date for her album, and stated that she hoped to have it out in spring. That spring, Kinetics & One Love announced that all of the vocals for Melanie's album were finished, and Melanie officially announced that her album would be titled Cry Baby. Melanie began teasing some titles for tracks. The first single was "Pity Party" and was confirmed on May 27, 2015. The music video was accidentally leaked by Melanie herself on May 29, but she later tweeted that she was happy and excited for the fans who had seen it and promised there was "more to come" during her live stream on June 1. It was officially released on the day of the live stream. During the live stream, Martinez announced that the release day of Cry Baby would be in August. The second single, "Soap", was confirmed in late June, and it was announced soon before it was to be released on July 10. It leaked a day earlier. The one-shot music video came out the same day.
On July 16, the album art and release date were leaked on Amazon, although the release date was false. On July 17, the album art was officially revealed, and merchandise bundles were available to pre-order on Martinez's website, with the digital pre-order on July 24. Before the 24th, the track list of the album was leaked, although the websites that leaked it replaced "Tag, You're It" with "Jump Rope" and "Play Date" with "Half Hearted". The track list was officially revealed on the 24th with the pre-order. Starting on July 27, Melanie released a snippet of each song (apart from the ones on the deluxe edition) on her Instagram page. On July 28, Melanie released the snippet for "Sippy Cup" and announced that it would be released on July 31. On July 30, Spin premiered the video, and "Sippy Cup" was released the day after. The album was released on August 14. The CD was packaged as a storybook, with jewel case CDs available later. Both a picture disk and a standard black vinyl were released in the future. Cassettes were then released, advertised as being in yellow, blue, and pink. There is also a less common green cassette. All physical copies of the album are the standard explicit, with the deluxe and clean being digital exclusives.
The album is about a character, named Cry Baby, a fantasy version of Martinez when she was a very young child (specifically before she started education), and a representation of her vulnerable and messed-up side. Martinez described Cry Baby as "a child who experiences adult things". She states that many of the things that have happened to Cry Baby are embellished versions of things that have happened in her own life, except the part where Cry Baby gets kidnapped and kills her kidnapper. Each song on the tracklist has a childhood-related title and contains childhood-related metaphors, while the deeper messages being crossed to the listener carry more adult themes and problems. For example, the song "Cry Baby" refers to someone who is teased for openly displaying their emotions (as opposed to an actual baby), and the song "Training Wheels" is actually about taking a relationship to the next level. The storybook available in the pre-order bundle features rhymes and illustrations based on the album, written by Martinez herself. [5]
The album was released on August 14, 2015, by Atlantic Records, through digital download, CD, vinyl, and audio cassette. [6] The vinyl and CD have special packaging, which includes a storybook that follows the album by illustrator Chloe Tersigni. [7] Cry Baby debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200 with 41,000 units sold in its first week; it also debuted at the top of the Alternative Albums Chart. It was announced on August 2, 2016, that the album had sold 263,050 copies. [8] On February 24, 2017, the album was certified Platinum, having sold 1,000,000 copies in the US. [9] [10]
"Pity Party" was released as the first single. The music video was released on Vessel by Martinez on May 29, 2015, for early access users. It was then released three days later, on June 1, 2015, on YouTube. It was certified Platinum by RIAA.
"Soap" was released as the second single. It was released on July 10, 2015, along with a music video. It was certified Gold by RIAA. As of the end of 2017, "Soap" became an online trending song on the application TikTok (formerly known as Musical.ly), and a challenge known as the "Soap Challenge" gained speed, which saw users play Martinez's song while using liquid dish soap on makeup wipes to blow a stream of foam with their mouth.
"Sippy Cup" was released as the third single on July 31, 2015, with a music video. It was the darker side to the music video of her 2014 single, "Dollhouse".
Martinez said in an interview that she would be releasing music videos for all tracks of the album. [11] The song "Training Wheels" had a music video released on November 18, 2015, as a double-feature with a new video for "Soap", but "Training Wheels" was not announced as a single by Martinez. [12] "Alphabet Boy" received a music video on June 2, 2016. [13] A double feature music video for "Tag, You're It" and "Milk and Cookies" was released on August 23, 2016. [14] The song "Pacify Her" had a music video released on November 15, 2016. [15] The song "Mrs. Potato Head" had a music video released on December 1, 2016. [16] The song "Mad Hatter" had its music video released on September 23, 2017, serving as the conclusion to the Cry Baby visual story. [17]
In April 2020, Martinez's song "Play Date", one of the deluxe edition's bonus tracks, reached the "Viral 50" songs on Spotify and subsequently had risen on the charts. This resulted from a popular trend on multiple platforms where users make an edit of a celebrity with the song playing in the background. [18] [19] Martinez posted on Instagram, addressing the song's success as the "best birthday present ever". [20] On May 1, 2020, the song was certified Gold by RIAA and as of December 8, 2020 the song has been certified Platinum. [10] In an interview with Idolator on May 8, 2020, Martinez revealed plans to record a music video for the song from home. [21]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
ABC News | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Billboard | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Outlet Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Popdust.com | 4/5 [2] |
Spin | 8/10 [25] |
Under the Gun Review | 9.5/10 [4] |
Cry Baby received generally positive reviews from music critics. Allan Raible at ABC News gave the album 4.5 stars out of 5, describing it as "a jarring, affecting record that will stick with you days after listening. It's not for passive listening. It is a rare pop record that is both catchy beyond belief and an artistic triumph." [3] Jason Scott at Popdust.com described the album as "13 tracks of pure hypnotic bliss [that] tests the absolute bounds of alt-pop, puncturing and bleeding out of [Martinez's] Lesley Gore and Purity Ring influence," highlighting "Sippy Cup", "Mrs. Potato Head", "Soap", "Cry Baby" and "Alphabet Boy". [2] AllMusic's Matt Collar compared Martinez to Björk and Beyoncé, and said that "her songs also fit nicely next to the work of contemporaries like Lorde and Lana Del Rey." Emma Guido at Under the Gun Review gave the album a 9.5 out of 10, calling the album "a journey with Martinez’s creepy alter ego as she battles her demons and obsessions", calling her songwriting methods "expressional, passionate and marvelously creative" and writing that "the haunted carnival-esque ambience of Cry Baby...takes on a new form of indie-pop music that the world has been waiting to hear." [4]
Spin named the album number 22 on their list of "The 25 Best Pop Albums of 2015". [26]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Cry Baby" | One Love | 3:59 | |
2. | "Dollhouse" |
| One Love | 3:51 |
3. | "Sippy Cup" |
| One Love | 3:15 |
4. | "Carousel" |
| One Love | 3:50 |
5. | "Alphabet Boy" |
| One Love | 4:13 |
6. | "Soap" |
| Shearer | 3:29 |
7. | "Training Wheels" |
| Babydaddy | 3:25 |
8. | "Pity Party" |
| Baran | 3:24 |
9. | "Tag, You're It" |
|
| 3:09 |
10. | "Milk and Cookies" |
|
| 3:26 |
11. | "Pacify Her" |
| Keenan | 3:40 |
12. | "Mrs. Potato Head" |
| Kinetics & One Love | 3:37 |
13. | "Mad Hatter" |
| 3:21 | |
Total length: | 46:38 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "Play Date" |
|
| 2:59 |
15. | "Teddy Bear" |
| Snow | 4:05 |
16. | "Cake" |
| Baran | 3:19 |
Total length: | 57:01 |
Notes
Production
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [55] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [56] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [57] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [58] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [59] | Platinum | 300,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [60] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Edition | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 14, 2015 | digital download | Standard | Atlantic | [61] |
Clean | [62] | ||||
Deluxe | [63] | ||||
Clean deluxe | [64] | ||||
streaming | Standard | [65] | |||
Clean | [66] | ||||
Deluxe | [67] | ||||
Clean deluxe | [68] | ||||
Argentina | CD | Standard | [69] | ||
Canada | [70] | ||||
United States | [71] | ||||
Australia | September 18, 2015 | [72] | |||
Europe | October 2015 | [73] | |||
Brazil | November 11, 2015 | [74] | |||
United States | November 27, 2015 | LP record | [75] | ||
Europe | [76] | ||||
United States | Picture disc | [77] | |||
United Kingdom | May 6, 2016 | CD | HMV exclusive | [78] | |
United States | November 11, 2016 | LP record | Hot Topic exclusive | [79] | |
Various | 2016 | Cassette tape | Blue | [80] | |
Green | [81] | ||||
Pink | [82] | ||||
Yellow | [83] | ||||
November 25, 2022 | LP record | Deluxe pink/blue | [84] | ||
United States | January 19, 2023 | Walmart exclusive | [85] |
Cry Baby's Extra Clutter EP | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
EP by | ||||
Released | November 25, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2013–2015 | |||
Length | 13:51 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Melanie Martinez chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Cry Baby's Extra Clutter EP | ||||
|
Cry Baby's Extra Clutter EP is the third extended play by American recording artist Melanie Martinez, released on November 25, 2016. The EP is a physical vinyl release and her first EP without a digital release of the three bonus tracks from Cry Baby as well as the limited-release 2015 Christmas single, "Gingerbread Man". [86] [87] The vinyl was only available for purchase via Urban Outfitters and Martinez's website. [88] The EP's cover art was drawn by Chloe Tersigni.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Play Date" |
| 2:59 | |
2. | "Teddy Bear" |
| Snow | 4:05 |
3. | "Cake" |
| Baran | 3:19 |
4. | "Gingerbread Man" |
|
| 3:28 |
Total length: | 13:51 |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | November 25, 2016 | LP record | Atlantic | [89] |
Tour by Melanie Martinez | |
Associated album | Cry Baby |
---|---|
Start date | August 26, 2015 |
End date | April 2, 2017 |
Legs | 9 |
No. of shows | 98 in North America 4 in Oceania 5 in Latin America 17 in Europe 124 in total |
Supporting acts |
|
Melanie Martinez concert chronology |
The Cry Baby Tour was the second concert tour by American singer Melanie Martinez, in support of her first studio album Cry Baby. The tour consisted of nine legs and 124 shows, beginning on August 26, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina, [91] and concluded on April 2, 2017 in Santiago, Chile. [92]
Encore
Notes
Priscilla Renea Hamilton, known professionally as Muni Long, is an American singer and songwriter from Gifford, Florida. Under her birth name, she signed with Capitol Records to release her debut studio album Jukebox (2009), which was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart. She then spent the following decade co-writing songs for other artists, including the hit singles "Promise This" for Cheryl, "California King Bed" for Rihanna, "Worth It" for Fifth Harmony, "Love So Soft" for Kelly Clarkson, "Imagine" for Ariana Grande, "Who Says" for Selena Gomez & the Scene, and the global hit "Timber" for Pitbull.
Melanie Adele Martinez is an American singer and songwriter. Born in Astoria, Queens, and raised in Baldwin, New York, Martinez rose to fame in 2012 after appearing on season 3 of the American television talent show The Voice. Following the show, she was signed to Atlantic Records and released her debut single "Dollhouse", followed by her debut extended play of the same name (2014).
Jeremy Dussolliet, known professionally as Kinetics is a rapper and songwriter based in New York City who has been releasing hip-hop projects since 2008. He has collaborated with R.A. the Rugged Man, Skyzoo, Remedy from Wu-Tang Killa Bees, Termanology, Accent, the Unknown Prophets and others, but is best known for his work with friend and longtime collaborator, NYC producer One Love. In 2009, Kinetics & One Love started releasing experimental hip-hop projects and writing and producing for other artists.
American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez has released three studio albums, four extended plays, twelve singles, two promotional singles and thirty one music videos.
Dollhouse is the debut extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez, released on May 19, 2014, by Atlantic Records and Warner/Chappell. The EP was primarily produced and co-written by hip hop duo Kinetics & One Love. Dollhouse peaked at number four on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.
"Pity Party" is a song by American recording artist Melanie Martinez based on the 1963 Lesley Gore hit "It's My Party". It was released as the lead single from her debut album, Cry Baby (2015), on June 2, 2015. The music video was released on June 1, 2015. It impacted contemporary hit radio on March 22, 2016.
"Soap" is a song by Melanie Martinez, featured on her debut studio album, Cry Baby. The song was released July 10, 2015, along with a music video the same day. It was released as the second single of her album Cry Baby, being set to impact Alternative radio outlets according to Warner Music. The song was featured in the 2016 film Nerve.
"Carousel" is a song by Latin American recording artist Melanie Martinez. The song was featured on Martinez's debut EP, Dollhouse (2014) and her debut studio album Cry Baby (2015). "Carousel" was released on September 1, 2014, as the second single from Dollhouse. A music video accompanying the song was released on October 15, 2014. The song was used in the trailer for the fourth season of the horror anthology television series American Horror Story.
"Mrs. Potato Head" is a song by American recording artist Melanie Martinez from her debut album, Cry Baby (2015). Lyrically, the song deals with plastic surgery, its consequences, and the struggle for beauty in the modern world, especially for women. It was written by Melanie Martinez, Jeremy Dussolliet, and Tim Sommers, and was produced by Kinetics & One Love.
"Sippy Cup" is a song by American recording artist Melanie Martinez, released as the third single from her debut album, Cry Baby. A music video featuring fashion designer Stella Rose Saint Clair was released July 31, 2015.
"Cry Baby" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez from her debut studio album of the same name (2015). The song's music video was released on March 14, 2016.
"Dollhouse" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez. Written alongside production duo Kinetics & One Love, the song was released on February 9, 2014 as the lead single of her debut EP of the same name, and later featured on her debut studio album, Cry Baby (2015). Lyrically, "Dollhouse" is about a dysfunctional family, who, according to Martinez, is "hiding being a perfect plastic facade". Martinez has also stated that "Dollhouse" is a metaphor for how people view celebrities and their seemingly perfect public lives.
Sajeeb Saha, known professionally as Jai Wolf, is a Bangladeshi producer. He is best known for his singles, "Indian Summer", "Like It's Over", and "Starlight". He is currently signed to Mom + Pop Music.
"Play Date" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez from the deluxe edition of her debut album, Cry Baby (2015). In April 2020, the song gained popularity due to its use in an edit of actor Timothée Chalamet which led to its widespread use on the video-sharing app TikTok, receiving over 1.9 billion views for the month. On May 1, 2020, the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 units in the United States. This was followed by Platinum and later 2× Platinum in 2022, for selling over 2,000,000 equivalent units in the United States.
K–12 is the second studio album by American singer Melanie Martinez. It was released with an accompanying film of the same name on September 6, 2019, through Atlantic Records. Martinez played the main character, "Cry Baby," in this film that she wrote and directed.
K–12 is a 2019 American musical fantasy horror film written and directed by Melanie Martinez and co-directed by Alissa Torvinen. The film accompanies Martinez's second studio album of the same name and stars Martinez, Emma Harvey, Zión Moreno, Megan Gage, Zinnett Hendrix, Jesy McKinney, Marsalis Wilson, and Maggie Budzyna. The film follows Cry Baby, a brave-hearted girl, and her charming best friend Angelita (Harvey), who make a bewitching pair as they embark on a mission to take down the oppressive schooling system of K–12.
After School is the fourth extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez. It was released on September 25, 2020, through Atlantic Records. "The Bakery" was released as the lead single the same day. The EP was also released as the deluxe edition to Martinez's second studio album, K–12. Martinez says this EP is "much more personal and steps outside of the Cry Baby character box for a moment".
"Death" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez. It is the lead single from her third studio album, Portals. It was released as a single on March 17, 2023, through Atlantic Records. It is her first song to chart in the Billboard Hot 100 since 2012, peaking at number 95.
The Trilogy Tour is the fifth concert tour and first all-arena tour by American artist Melanie Martinez in support of all of her three studio albums, Cry Baby, K-12 and Portals. It started on May 10, 2024, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, United States, with shows across North America. It will conclude on November 16, 2024, at the Corona Capital festival in Mexico City, Mexico, comprising 53 shows. Men I Trust, Beach Bunny, Sofia Isella, Elita and Lola Young serve as opening acts.