Melanie Martinez, POSSESSION | Song Review

Alternative pop singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez has us under her spell with her mysterious but enticing single, “POSSESSION.”

Melanie Martinez was a huge success story as an alum of The Voice. The kicker? She didn’t even win! For a show that has propelled very few stars, Martinez has carved out success regardless, recording captivating alternative pop.  Once again, Martinez strikes gold on her mysterious but incredibly enticing single, “POSSESSION”.  Martinez composed “POSSESSION” with producer CJ Baran.

“POSSESSION” begins with an enigmatic guitar riff.  Melanie Martinez enters the mix, singing in her signature breathy undertone in the first verse. The lyrics are engaging, conceptual, and thought-provoking from the jump: “He’d dust me off each day, I’m made of porcelain clay / I feed him kisses so I don’t break down to pieces.” After a modest instrumental accompaniment initially, a rhythmic drum groove provides a mighty anchor, intensifying the record. Keyboards and synths enter, filling out the production during the pre-chorus (“And now he’s hungry, I’ll feed him candy /You’re screamin’ at me loud…”). By the chorus, “POSSESSION” has transformed into an intense, bright wall of sound comprised of programming, keys, drums, guitar riffs, etc.  Expectedly, the chorus is the crème de la crème, with memorable lyrics and tuneful melodies.

“Baby, I’m your possession, handle me like a weapon

Gaslight me, right, tell me, ‘Keep quiet.’

I’ll go along, di-di-dum…”

Oh, snap! The post-chorus is intriguing with its entertaining “dum, dum, di-di-dum(s).” An awesome drum roll leads into the second verse, which begins much more developed compared to the first. Notably, Martinez is also saltier: “He leaves me all alone, from dusk to fuckin’ dawn / I’ll clean up after all his shit, I’m the housekeeper.” The rest of the song falls in line with the first, save for the distinct outro, with Martinez leaning in more in her undertone “…A concussion reversin’ all the damage I had / May be bruised, but it’s not that bad.” Ooh-wee, “POSSESSION” is some type of trip. And guess what? We wouldn’t have it any other way with the mysterious and talented Melanie Martinez!