Music Monday: Beautiful Trauma

I never want to have to wait 5 years for a new Pink album ever again. 

I am standing firm in my statement that Pink is incapable of creating bad music. My favorite thing about Pink has always been the fact that we’ve seen a clear progression in her music. We met her as the rebellious artist and right before our eyes she has become an extraordinary woman worthy of the title: “role model”. Though the subject matter remains as wonderfully-chaotic as it’s ever been, her musical journey has been one that I am proud to announce I’ve been a part of since the beginning.

Beautiful Trauma has all of the magic from previous Pink albums; a funny song (“Revenge” ft. Eminem), a song worthy of a car dance party (“Secrets”), songs that break your heart (“For Now”), songs that put you back together (“Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken”) and songs that remind you why you exist (“I Am Here”).

Every single Pink and Eminem collaboration has been a magical music ride and “Revenge” is no exception. Pink raps, Eminem sings and the lyrics are relatable (if you’ve ever plotted revenge against an ex).

Like Leo in The Revenant
Abel in that Bible bit
Revenge is sweet, isn’t it?
I really, really hope for it
I know that it won’t fix a thing
A song like this that I could sing for you
All the feels you make me do
A nightmare fucking coming true
I wish I was a lawyer, I would sue you
Sue you, take your dog, take your house, take your shoes, take your heart

Do you know how often throughout the week I wish I was five years old again? (TOO OFTEN). “Barbies” is about feeling that nostalgia, it’s about the moments when you feel overwhelmed with life and playing with Barbies feels like a better alternative. Since the ability to travel back in time and be five years old again seems out of reach, we will have to settle by taking the 3 minutes and 44 seconds of this song to breathe.

“For Now” is by far my favorite song on the album. The melody, the lyrics, the chorus, the story that I can clearly see when listening to the song; it’s perfect.

Freeze, frame, pause, rewind, stop
And get back to the old familiar thoughts
Can we just freeze, frame, pause, rewind, stop
And get back to the feelings we think we lost
For now

This song is about a woman admitting to being at fault for the demise of the relationship. She is coming back to her partner to ask for forgiveness and the vulnerability in which in the song is delivered, that’s what truly captures you with this song.

Speaking of vulnerability, “Better Life” is the definition of unapologetic honesty. This is where Pink sits in her truth; this is where she gives us a glimpse into her insecurities and this song is the reason why Pink is so special.

But I can’t shake the feeling
That you picture a better life, better wife, better nights, better high
I can’t shake the feeling
Do you picture a better life?

A Pink album isn’t complete without a song that reminds you why existing in this world matters. She is the Queen of life anthems, the leader of the ones who feel unheard and the necessary thing that keeps me from falling apart when it all feels overwhelming.

I am here, I am here
I’ve already seen the bottom, so there’s nothing to fear
Know that I’ll be ready when the devil is near
I am here, I am here
All of this wrong, but I’m still right here 

Being that I’ve been a consistent fan of Pink’s for a few years now, my expectations were extremely high. I should’ve known better than to worry; Pink is incapable of releasing sub-par music. Beautiful Trauma is five years of life wrapped into magical melodies, extraordinary vocals and poetic words. I have lived with this album since it’s release and the lyrics feel as if they’ve embedded themselves into my soul and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Go listen to Beautiful Trauma then come back and tell me what you thought.