Renee Rapp drops debut LP, “Snow Angel” | A song-by-song description

By Anna Montoya-Gaxiola

Photos by Erica Hernandez

It is no lie that up-and-coming pop artists are here and ready to take over.

Renee Rapp is an artist like no other, but if you’re a fan of artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift and Lorde, then Rapp needs to be next on your list.

Rapp, a pop singer-songwriter and actress, took time to talk about her music journey at a virtual press conference in the days before her debut LP, “Snow Angel,” dropped on streaming services. Although you may know her from her appearances as an actress in “Mean Girls: The Musical” and “Sex Lives of College Girls,” she is not here to play in the music industry.

Rapp shared love for her acting journey, but recognized that “music was always the goal.” She quickly caught the public’s eye in 2022 after the release of her first single, “Tattoos,” which signified herself as a solo artist.

Rapp is fully blossoming in her new era as a music artist. She has continuously grown with the people who surround her within her personal and professional life. Rapp took time to shed light on the individuals who have helped shape her into the person she is today.

“I’m a product of the people that are around. I am very spoiled, especially with the women that are in my company,” Rapp said. She paid extra gratitude to her best friend, Alyah Chanelle Scott, who has been by Rapp’s side in directing her music videos.

“She has a really big hand in my personal life and my music career,” Rapp said. “She comes to the studio with me and is just incredible. Obviously I wouldn't be who I am without her as my friend but being fortunate enough to work with somebody who is so talented and very thoughtful and also definitely the next big thing feels very spoiled. I feel like YES! I got her first ... she’s iconic.”

Being an extremely successful woman in the music industry early on, Rapp shared her hidden secrets for other individuals looking to expand on their personal dreams. TikTok, in general, has showcased a unique side of Rapp and that is: delusion. That is not to be misinterpreted with the type of delusion that is something that is “not at all going to happen,” but instead the “no matter how much I doubt myself in something, I am going to fucking do it,” Rapp explained.

“I think, especially as girls, you are kinda taught that if you come across confident that is actually not super cool, so like let’s mask it as delusion so that we can giggle with you and not be intimidated by you and not be bothered by your presence,” Rapp said. “So I think a lot of the time when I say delusion it’s to avoid people calling me a bitch for saying that I believe in myself.”

Rapp was transparent about her writing and producing process, saying that it was not smooth. In the end, she agrees that this is a whole new phase in her life. As you listen to each song, you may notice that they may have up-tempo beats, but the lyrics behind them express more heartfelt messages.

The album begins with “Talk Too Much,” a single Rapp originally dropped in July. The single gives listeners an insight on how overthinking leads to self-sabotage. This voice of judgment ruins great potential between relationships because oftentimes we tear ourselves apart when we don’t feel good enough for someone else. Rapp is talking herself out of her “own happiness” because of this voice.

The next track is “I Hate Boston,” a song dedicated to how failed relationships can cause you to view a physical place as that person. Boston in this case will become a constant reminder of the “what we could've been” with that person. Rapp said “the whole thing is haunted” as a reference to not only the way things ended, but how this city will feel moving forward. It is with no surprise that “Poison Poison” is the next song on the album. It calls out the “annoying” and “worst people on earth.”

Following is “Gemini Moon,” the first slower tempoed song on the album. Rapp identifies greatly with her big three signs within her persona. Her Gemini moon in particular is used as an excuse for her sweet and sour behavior in the song. She uses various examples of dualities such as “sour lemons or cinnamon” and “I talk shit, then I bite my tongue” to show that behavior, but in the end recognizes her faults by saying, “I could blame the Gemini moon, but really I should just be better to you.”

Next up “Snow Angel,” “The Wedding Song,” “I Wish,” “Tummy Hurts” and “Willow” share similar emotions of grief, sadness and using pain to grow as a person. The storylines talk about the effects that potential partners leave behind when things go wrong. Learning to be the bigger person and grow with your sadness is a trend throughout the album, but more so in these songs.

Marking the middle point of the album, the single “So What Now” talks about the awkward stage after breaking up with your ex. It’s a denial stage knowing that there’s a mutual feeling of wanting to talk to each other, but you don’t. You want to show others that you don't care in order to “feel like we’re cool.”

UNIA Zine asked Rapp what song best represented what stage of her life she is currently in and “So What Now” was her answer.

“I feel very much like I'm living that,” Rapp said. “So what am I supposed to do now? You wanna talk? Would you like to chat? Like come on. Grow up. I’m very much in that place. It’s about your ex being in the same city that you live in and it’s like, ‘why are you fucking here?’ It’s like, ‘yes you did grow up here, your family is here, you were born here, I don’t give a fuck. Why are you here?’”

Another song on the album is “Pretty Girls,” which is dedicated to situations Rapp has encountered as a bisexual woman.

“It’s a situation where like I’m out and this like straight girl who’s like mutual friends of all of ours is like, ‘you know babe if I wanted to I totally would’ and I'm like, ‘that’s amazing, that’s incredible, I'm so glad that you feel that way and I'm so glad that you feel super comfortable to come and like hypersexualize me in this moment, so thank you so much, that really sat well with me,’” Rapp said sarcastically.

Lastly, the album ends with “23.” This song shares a very specific feeling. The feeling is accepting that you’re growing and things aren't ever going to be the same. “My wish is that I cared less at 23” is the main chorus line. This song represents finding yourself as you grow older but are still young. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. Ask questions and have patience with yourself as you enter new phases in life.

Since the album's release, “Snow Angel” has been recognized as the biggest female solo debut album of 2023 by Pop Crave.

So whether you are having a midlife crisis at 23, in a toxic situation with your ex, or are dealing with grief, this album is for you and everyone.

“Snow Angel” is streaming on all platforms. Listen now! Make sure to also catch Rapp on her Snow Hard Feeling tour (https://www.reneerapp.com/tour/).