Roan's narration throughout the song describes her dislike for dating "hyper-mega-bummer boys" and want for a "super graphic ultra modern girl" like her. "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" was well-received by critics, who praised the song's upbeat nature and lyricism. Commercially, the song peaked at number 16 on Billboard’s US Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and received certifications in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Background and release
Kayleigh Amstutz, later known as Chappell Roan, began posting cover songs to YouTube in 2014. She also posted an original song, "Die Young". This caught the attention of Australian singer Troye Sivan, who advised his fanbase to "go give her some love".[1][2] She adopted the stage name Chappell Roan and signed to Atlantic Records in 2015.[1][3][4][5][6] While under the label, she released her debut EP, School Nights (2017), and three singles in 2020: "Pink Pony Club", "Love Me Anyway", and "California".[3][4][7] She was dropped by Atlantic in 2020 following the release of the singles and moved back to her home state of Missouri following this.[3][4][6]
While still signed with Atlantic, Roan worked with producer Dan Nigro, who would become known for his work with Olivia Rodrigo.[3][4][6] She would return to music in 2022 with the self-released single "Naked in Manhattan".[6] In 2023, Roan signed to Amusement Records, an imprint of Island Records that Nigro started to fund Roan's projects.[3][8][9] "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" was released as the sixth track of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess on September 22, 2023, alongside an accompanying visualizer.[3][8][10][11] A demo version was released with a Tidal reissue.[12]
Roan experienced a growth in popularity after opening for Rodrigo on the Guts World Tour and after the release of "Good Luck, Babe!" (2024).[1] Because of this, "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" would begin to chart almost a year after its release. The song debuted at number 24 on the US BillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 chart for August 17, 2024. It peaked at number 16 on that chart and failed to enter the main Hot 100 chart.[13][14] It was additionally certified silver in the United Kingdom and gold in Australia and the United States.[15][16][17]
"Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" focuses on Roan's dislike for dating men. She has stated that the title of the song was inspired by an Architecture Digest video in which the narrator says a house's architecture is "super graphic and ultra-modern". The lyrics call men "hyper-mega-bummer boys" and condemn them for wearing "fugly jeans", all while Roan "harnesses her power". Roan takes what has been described as a "main-character monologue" by Pitchfork's Olivia Horn in the opening verse. The lyrics also state that Roan is "not overdramatic", and states she needs a "super graphic ultra modern girl like [her]."[20][24][29][30]
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Roan expressed her admiration for Charli XCX and that she wanted to work with Mike Wise. Wise was known for producing the song "Yuck," off of Charli XCX’s fifth studio album, Crash (2022). Roan also said she wanted to make a song that "drag queens can do fully."[29] In an NME interview preceding her album’s release, Roan stated that wrote the song "for the gays" and that she thought listeners would be most surprised by it.[31]
Roan wrote the track with Dan Nigro, Annika Bennett, Jonah Shy, and Mike Wise.[10][32] Nigro handled keyboards, engineering, drum programming, synthesizers, guitar, and produced the track with Wise and assistant producer Shy. Serban Gheneamixed the track with assistance from Bryce Bordone, and Randy Merrillmastered it. Recording took place at Amusement Studios.[10][32]
Critical reception
"Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" has been described as "excellent"[33] and was generally met with positive reviews. Illustrate Magazine called the track a "breath of fresh air in the music world".[34]Vogue[a] and Billboard[b] journalists have praised the song. AllMusic declared that the 80s throwback had one of the best choruses throughout the entire album.[26]DIY’s Otis Robinson says that a track like "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" blends "teen melodrama with queer euphoria".[38] Sam Franzini praised Roan’s lyricism.[20] Dani Maher called both "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" and "Femininomenon" "over-the-top upbeat tracks".[28]Elle said that Roan gave great advice in the song: "Never EVER waste a Friday night on a first date".[39]Vulture said that "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" is a "phrase with perfect rhythm".[40] Deia Penn says Roan dismisses heterosexuality for a 'Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl' that has "high-femme, high-camp energy".[41]
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Notes
↑ Liam Hess stated that it was a "banger that's made for strutting to work",[23] and Alex Jhamb Burns said it was her favorite song on the album.[35]
↑ Stephen Daw stated that the song was fueled by "pop adrenaline",[19] Jason Lipshutz, Joe lynch, and Starr Bowenblank say that the song "represents an eyeroll",[36] and Billboard Philippines states the song "oozes confidence".[37]
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