Melanie Martinez is back with a new single, “POSSESSION,” a sleek, creep-me-out sort of track that represents a significant change in the ever-shifting alt-pop world of the singer.
It’s a gut-punch of a song that combines sweet hooks with sharp lyrics that call out how power can disguise itself as love. It’s spooky and sharp, embracing the unique blend of charm, mischief, and attitude that has defined the singer’s work. And it also represents a sort of closing of the book on the character that started her entire career: Cry Baby.
Melanie Martinez is a giant in the music industry. Born in New York but of Latin American descent, she has amassed over 30 billion streams worldwide, 5.54 billion official YouTube views, and over 62.2 million followers across platforms since first bursting onto the scene in 2012. In the last decade or so, she has redefined the alt-pop genre into a fully-fledged world that is part fantasy and part reality. She has extended her reach into film, fashion, and fragrance.
Melanie Martinez’s 2015 debut album “Cry Baby” was a cultural phenomenon that earned 2x Platinum certification. The album launched a string of multi-Platinum hits like “Dollhouse,” “Pity Party,” “Play Date,” “Pacify Her,” “Carousel,” “Mad Hatter,” “Soap,” and many more. The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and has spent 208 non-consecutive weeks on the chart to date.
Martinez continued with two more Top 3 debut albums on the Billboard 200 chart. K-12 was released in 2019, accompanied by a musical film that opened at No. 6 worldwide. Portals debuted at No. 2, with the album featuring Martinez’s first original songs, “VOID” and “DEATH,” which appeared on the Billboard Hot 100. All three albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative chart.
Martinez has also ventured into the perfume business. Following the sold-out 2016 release of her self-released Cry Baby perfume, Martinez partnered with Flower Shop Perfumes in 2023 on a new line, which has since expanded to include candles, body sprays, and perfume pendants. Martinez’s fragrances are now among the top five best-sellers at ScentBar, the nation’s leading independent perfume retailer.
Martinez kicked off her first global arena tour, The Trilogy Tour, in 2024, selling out large arenas worldwide, including back-to-back shows at Madison Square Garden in New York. Martinez also headlined Chicago’s Lollapalooza and Mexico City’s Corona Capital Festival in 2024, showcasing her global presence.
