PORTALS Tracklist
PORTALS is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez, released on March 31, 2023, through Atlantic Records.
Following her second extended play, After School, on September 25, 2020, she went through a hiatus that lasted nearly three years until the beginning of February 2023. She teased song snippets along with mysterious and ethereal-like photos and videos on her Instagram, beginning on February 18, 2023, from her then unknown music project. On February 22, 2023, she revealed the album title and release date, along with a 24-second video called “THE HATCHING” on her Instagram, and a day later, she revealed its cover.
On March 17, 2023, the first single, “DEATH,” was released and accompanied by a visualizer. On that same day, she revealed the album’s tracklist on Instagram along with a link to a lyric reveal from her official website that would reveal the lyrics to each song daily.
On March 29, 2023, Melanie surprised released a second single, “VOID,” with an audio-only video. Later that day, she discussed the albums themes on an Instagram post:
All of the songs on this album are based on past life regression therapy books I’ve been reading for a few years now, particularly the in between phase of death and life. All of them disguised with earthly themes for double/triple meaning, to create a frequency for humans to relate to while still here on earth.
On April 5, 2023, the deluxe edition of the album was released, with three exclusive songs. “MILK OF THE SIREN” has been highly anticipated by fans to be released in the standard edition of PORTALS, but simply named as “SIRENS” instead. Melanie reworked and finished the track and included it on the deluxe’s tracklist.
“PORTALS” Q&A
-
Translations
-
Is there official animated artwork?
Yes, Apple Music features animated artwork for this release.
-
What has the artist said about the album?
all of the songs on this album are based on past life regression therapy books I’ve been reading for a few years now, particularly the in between phase of death and life. All of them disguised with earthly themes for double/triple meaning, to create a frequency for humans to relate to while still here on earth.
—via Instagram
-
What message did Melanie want to send forth with this record?
I hope grief becomes easier for people while listening to this record. That they can enjoy this life to the fullest knowing we’re all just here to grow, create, feel, and have shared experiences with one another to help each other evolve.
—via Apple Music
-
What has Melanie said about the album?
I wanted to challenge my listeners’ perspective by essentially saying: Just like us, after Cry Baby’s vessel on earth has died, she lives on as a spirit in the cosmos. It was important for me to show the immortality of being a human with this record—to give people hope that there’s life after death.
—via Apple Music
