K-12

For the sequel to her 2015 musical and visual album *Cry Baby*, the singer-songwriter brings us up to speed with the title character, now in her teens, navigating a pastel-colored world of cruel kids and drugged-up school authorities. *K-12* tells a contemporary tale of self-acceptance. The pop-driven narrative has matured along with Cry Baby, approaching topics like bulimia (“Orange Juice”), self-worth (“Strawberry Shortcake,” “Show & Tell”), and social pressures (“Lunchbox Friends”) with sensitivity and humanity.

The sophomore full-length album from Melanie Martinez, 2019's K-12, finds the arty pop singer offering yet more darkly emotive anthems centered on adolescence and growing up.