Melanie Martinez released Hades on March 27th, 2026 through Atlantic Records. This album represents a major shift from the typical fantasy-driven storytelling of her previous work. Instead of focusing on the Cry Baby character, the album explores real world issues through a more dystopian lens. Martinez incorporates themes such as power, corruption, social control, technology, beauty standards, and religion. The album is designed to encourage listeners to question systems and beliefs that are apparent in modern society.
Hades combines melodies like dark pop and electronic to establish an unsettling yet immersive atmosphere. Unlike the more whimsical sound of some of her other albums, Hades uses darker tones and intense instrumentals to enforce the theme of emotional isolation as well as social corruption.
Tracks such as “Is This a Cult?” and “Possession” explore manipulation, control, and being loyal to someone or something without having a clear understanding of it, whereas “Monopoly Man” and “White Boy With a G*n” addresses issues of power, privilege, and inequality, how your social class can decipher how people and more specifically the government treat you. Other songs, including “Disney Princess” and “Weight Watchers,” challenge and discuss unrealistic beauty standards and the toxicity of it all. Throughout these tracks, Martinez encourages her listeners to think critically about the messages she’s trying to convey.
The album also explores more psychological themes. Songs like “Avoidant” and “Grudges” focus on emotional struggles, vulnerability, trauma, and the everlasting effects of unresolved pain. “Chatroom” and “Uncanny Valley” examine how technology and social media shape identity and form relationships. Although the album critiques larger societal systems, it also highlights emotional consequences these systems have on the world and individuals.
Overall, I rate Hades a 8/10. I typically prefer Martinez’s more dreamy and whimsical albums, but this had a greater impact on me as it had changed my perspective on society and my own personal issues, making me feel more connected to her music as I can relate to it far more.
