Reneé Rapp’s “Snow Angel” is a Hauntingly Beautiful, Healing Ballad
Photo: Katia Temkin
Reneé Rapp once again proves she’s capable of making you stop what you’re doing and listen.
With Rapp’s career taking off like a whirlwind in all directions, it’s hard to believe she has found a second to breathe, let alone process the emotions that come surrounding these life changes. But she continues to impress, and while her newest single “Snow Angel,” the first single from her forthcoming debut album of the same name, comes from a place of deep pain, the track is a triumphant, self-aware masterpiece from the young powerhouse artist.
“Snow Angel” starts off with a deceptively serene piano intro that floats around Rapp’s voice like snowfall; however, the song builds up to a flurry of emotion as she asserts her strength and transforms the song into a powerful mantra of resilience. Her voice effortlessly traverses between delicate vulnerability and raw power, captivating listeners with its emotional range. In "Snow Angel," Rapp showcases her incredible control honed by years in musical theater, effortlessly belting out soaring high notes while also delivering intimate, whisper-like passages. Her vocal dynamics perfectly complement the song's ethereal production, creating a soundscape that is both haunting and breathtaking. The lyrical motif “I’ll make it through the winter if it kills me” in unison with the piano ties the song together from beginning to end.
Reneé shared the inspiration behind the track in an Instagram post, and explained that this song was her lifeline for coping through an undisclosed traumatic experience. The lyrics reveal heartbreaking lows, such as putting on a brave face for others but not even being able to recognize yourself in the mirror. However, Rapp shows us through her songwriting that she has the ability to weather the seasons and turn adversity into art.
Produced with the help of Alexander 23, “Snow Angel” is the titular track from her debut album to be released this August. Rapp continues to expand on her artistry, in music and in her fan-favorite role as Leighton in The Sex Lives of College Girls. She is also due to make her film-acting debut in Paramount+’s Mean Girls Musical, where she will reprise her Broadway role of Regina George. As we eagerly anticipate all of Rapp's future endeavors including this upcoming album, "Snow Angel" serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength that can be found within vulnerability.
Listen to "Snow Angel" below:
