Album Review: “A Fearful & Wondrous Thing” by Melanie Herrera
By Shannon Durta
On Thursday, May 28, indie-pop singer-songwriter Melanie Herrera released her debut album, A Fearful & Wondrous Thing. Strong lyrical storytelling, dreamy vocals, and melodic choruses mark this first entry into Herrera’s own brand of storybook pop.
The album opens with There Was Me (Don’t You Remember?) - an orchestral track that opens slowly, setting the stage for the rest of the album. The lyrics, “this morning felt like theater camp / A warm sort of coolness to the air,” reflect on the innocence of youth and the simplicity of growing up.
Another track near the beginning of the record is I Think I Lied. The lyrics conjure fantastical, storybook imagery, such as, “I was surprised that all tables and chairs didn’t start weeping / It was the sweetest thing.” The pre-chorus includes breathy, slightly distorted vocals that give the track a serene feel. Lyrically, the track also explores wrestling with the decision of removing someone from your life or going back to them. With lyrics like, “Don’t call me back / forgot you ever heard my name,” and, “I wanna know you like I did,” it’s up to the listener to figure out how to feel.
Near the middle of the record is Strangers Again. An upbeat, dance-oriented track, you’ll recognize it instantly if you’ve ever listened to any tracks by Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn. What’s even better is that this track includes a nod to the singer, who is name-dropped halfway through. Strangers Again stands out for its pulsing electro-pop sound and lyrics that capture the pain of becoming strangers with someone following a breakup. Sonically, this one is pure electro-pop with a standout, headnodding beat that creates a vibrant, energetic track.
Near the back half of the album is Whatever’s Left, a track full of moving lyrics. “Grass is greener, and in this case, it’s hard not to think they should have stayed,” highlights how the present can show us the wrongdoings of the past. As humans, we all learn from mistakes, and that is what the track is telling us so that we can remember. Whatever’s Left was a single off the album, and Herrera took to social media to explore more about the track during its release: “I wanted to write a song to help children of divorce feel seen. It’s no easy thing to dive into, and I debated sharing the inspiration for this song at all.”
Shouldn’t the Flowers Stop Growing is another poignant track about wanting to stop time to remember someone close: “The sun could hang low and the rivers not run to remember that you’re gone.” This sweeping orchestral track reminds listeners that moving on after loss is hard; however, navigating life afterward is even more difficult. This track invites listeners to pause and remember someone they might have been forgetting. Sonically, the mellow piano and warm strings complement the lyricism, and together these elements create a powerfully emotional track.
Overall, throughout A Fearful & Wondrous Thing, Herrera has crafted a successful entry into her own genre of storybook pop. Many of the tracks feel familiar and are easy to listen to. While many tracks include lyrics that are heavy and heartfelt, there’s also a lot of joy and heart on this album. Listeners can expect to be invited into Herrera’s storybook world and find something they will surely connect with on one of these tracks.
