“VOID” is the latest addition to Melanie Martinez’s new album “Portals.” A rock-inspired departure from their previous work, this song has already made a palpable cultural impact. If you haven’t heard the angsty, melodious pre-chorus on Tik Tok, then it’s just a matter of time before you will. Truly, as Martinez has already been known to produce, “VOID” is an atmospheric, experiential song with more layers of meaning and musicianship than you could count.
The song begins with a twinkly set of chords performed by strings. Martinez speaks a few reverb-drenched, mystifying words just before the verse sets in. “Baby, I’m spinning ‘round the corner / It’s tasting kinda lonely / And my mind wants to control me,” they croon over a tight bass/drum groove. The simplicity of the instrumentation really lets the melody breathe, and by association, also the sultry, effortlessly cool delivery. Before long, we’re thrust into that familiar pre-chorus: “Pipe down with the noise, I cannot bear my sorrow.” It’s immediately obvious why this moment has gone viral. The lyrics are poetic yet viscerally relatable. The melody just aches with delightful moodiness, often doubled by a bright synth. Melanie Martinez’s timbre suits this moment incredibly well, peppering in breathy head voice with pithy, low-register rasp. It’s brilliant writing exemplified.
The chorus arrives with a busy drum groove and some unique vocal processing. Martinez’s distorted tune engenders momentum and emotional gravity. As the climax to an already rather exciting song, this hook satisfies every build, every implication, and every desire a listener might have. That being said, don’t hesitate to add this song to all your playlists. It deserves all of the praise it’s received.
Written by Alyce Lindberg
