Fresh off her run as opener for Olivia Rodrigo on the “GUTS World Tour,” singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has released her sassy new single, “Good Luck, Babe!” Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Roan has increased in popularity in recent months, making it an ideal time to release the song.
“Good Luck, Babe!,” which Roan described in an Instagram post as “the first song of the next chapter,” thematically fits within her discography. Following the release of her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” in September 2023, the singer’s work has come to be defined as pop that’s dramatic, very queer and a little bit unserious. “Good Luck, Babe!” checks off all the boxes with its confidence, humor and bright synths.
The song’s lyrics are brutally honest with Roan addressing an ex-lover who struggled with coming to terms with their sexuality during their situationship. While the song sounds like it’s wishing them well, Roan digs at the fact that the ex will “kiss a hundred boys in bars” but refuses to call her babe.
Roan’s vocals are on point throughout the whole song, but she sounds especially angelic in the chorus where she sings in a high, breathy register paired with layered harmonies, strings and percussion.
She’s yet another artist who excels at writing bridges, so, as expected, the bridge on “Good Luck, Babe!” is the most stunning part. It offers a switch-up in tempo and vocal tone along with a searing indictment of her ex, telling her “I told you so” for being unhappy about being “nothing more than his wife.”
Roan’s year is only getting started, with upcoming headline shows and a festival run that includes Coachella, but there doesn’t seem to be a new album in sight yet. “Good Luck, Babe!” simply comes as a perfect addition to Roan’s setlist, as well as fans’ playlists, for the warmer months.
5/5 stars
rgatherc@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @chappellroan, Instagram
