K-12 [CD/DVD], Melanie Martinez, CD

Melanie Martinez’s sophomore album, K-12, is another ambitious triumph for the artist. As with her debut album Cry Baby, K-12's music is a vibrant and singular melting pot of low-key hip-hop, soulful pop and indie-leaning electro. K-12's universe is an expansion of the one introduced in Cry Baby. Using lyrics rich with metaphor, songs address the struggle to find a place to belong —including within friendships, the physical world and romantically — even when fitting into society feels like an uphill battle.