Chappell Roan has done it again. The self-proclaimed Midwest Princess of pop has released her new single, ‘Good Luck, Babe!’, fresh off her run as an opener for Olivia Rodrigo. The track is as brazen and sparkling as its predecessors, as she once again seamlessly injects camp into classic pop. The song also officially marks a new era for Roan as she moves away from the sound of her debut album – as she introduces the song to fans as “the first song of the next chapter” in a teaser.
The 26-year-old singer has become an internet hit, as clips of her captivating performances, whether in drag or in some equally flamboyant outfit, have gone viral. In a word, she’s entrancing, and this is reflected in her new single as the synthesiser works over her dreamy vocals to give the song an almost hypnotic quality. This is paired with full theatrics, as she illuminates the chorus with a bold falsetto.
The combination of rage and passion in her lyrics (“you can say that we are nothing, but you know the truth”) echoes her best-known song, Casual, of TikTok fame, as she has once again had her feelings belittled as she is placed into a ‘situationship’ – a case that’ll resonate with many of her Gen Z fans.
This song specifically looks to her partner denying her sexuality, as she seeks to “kiss a hundred boys in bars” instead of coming to terms with her homosexuality. This is thematically consistent with many of Roan’s songs, as she often sings about her own queerness in a way that’s refreshingly open. She is belting over her experience of being hushed in a total power move.
Her lyrics, weighted with accusation and mockery, have a violent sting to them that even the magical-sounding synth can’t overpower – one most evident as she takes down her pitch in her final “you’d have to stop the whole world just to stop the feeling”. The full force of this blow is felt by the listener. It’s as haunting as it is taunting.
‘Good Luck, Babe!’ is an instant hit, a dreamy sucker punch on repeat. It’s only upwards for Roan, with an ever-growing cult following and an upcoming string of sold-out UK headline shows. Catch her while you can – this Midwest Princess is going places.
Words by Zahra Hanif
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