K–12 (album)

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"High School Sweethearts" redirects here. For the reciprocating phrase for a relationship between young persons, see Childhood sweetheart.
"Nurse's Office" redirects here. For the medical care facility, see First aid room.

K–12
Studio album / Soundtrack by
Melanie Martinez
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2019 (2019-09-06)
Recorded2015–2017[1][2]
Genre
Length46:27
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Melanie Martinez chronology
Cry Baby's Extra Clutter EP
(2016) 		K–12
(2019) 		After School
(2020)

K–12 (pronounced "K through twelve"[3][4]) is the second studio album by American singer Melanie Martinez. It was released with an accompanying film of the same name on September 6, 2019,[5] through Atlantic Records.[6] Martinez played the main character, "Cry Baby," in this film that she[a] wrote and directed.

Background[edit]

Martinez began writing the album in 2015.[7][8][9] In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Martinez said that her then-untitled second album was finished and would be accompanied by a film that she was writing and directing.[2] In a February 2019 Instagram post, she wrote that the album "had been done for like two and a half years now", that it would likely be released at the end of summer and that no singles would be commercially released before it.[10] however, on an Instagram story in January 2020, Martinez revealed that “Lunchbox Friends” would be the album's lead single.

On January 7, 2020, Martinez announced through her Instagram stories that she would be releasing an EP titled After School that is attached to K–12 and will also be released as the extended deluxe. She originally planned to release the project in the spring of 2020, but the project ended up being released on September 25, 2020.[11][12] Martinez also revealed that she had planned two more films, both of which were supposed to be accompanied by albums however, both were scrapped due to Martinez’ decision to close the CryBaby storyline, and because the projects would be too expensive to create.[13][14]

Promotion[edit]

Main article: K–12 (film)

A teaser video of Martinez in a pastel classroom was released on May 15, 2019.[15] On May 16, she unveiled the album cover through her social media accounts.[16] Martinez revealed the release date through Instagram on May 29.[17]

On June 18, a TV spot was released, which included a snippet of "Nurse's Office".[18] This was followed by weekly promotions, or "assignments", beginning in late June 2019, followed by snippets usually a few hours or a day later. Despite no singles being released from the album, Martinez released snippets along with respective animated videos for every song from the album to different location hotspots called "assignments," later uploading them to her social media and YouTube accounts.[19]

On July 23, the official trailer for the K–12 film was released alongside the album tracklist and pre-order. It reveals some of the plot, while a snippet of "Show & Tell" plays at the end of the trailer. It also reveals that the film would be released in select theatres for one day only on September 5, 2019.[3] Martinez will embark on the K-12 Tour in support of the album from October to December 2019, starting in Washington, D.C.[20]

On September 25, 2020, Melanie Martinez released the After School EP, which was also included at the end of K–12 as a deluxe version of the album.[21] "The Bakery" was released as the lead single from the EP, therefore becoming the first official single from K-12.[22] This was following planned lead single from the album, "Lunchbox Friends", failing to be released as a single, and planned singles from After School, "Copy Cat" (with Tierra Whack) and "Fire Drill", failing to be included on the EP itself.

Promotional singles[edit]

Prior to the announcement that "Lunchbox Friends" would be the first official single from the album, Martinez pushed both "High School Sweethearts" and "Strawberry Shortcake" as promotional singles in July 2019 via vinyl release. She performed both tracks on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, alongside album track "Recess", on 16 September 2019, 10 days after the album release.[23][24]

Music[edit]

K–12 was mostly produced by Michael Keenan, who had previously collaborated with Martinez on a few tracks on her previous album, Cry Baby. One track, "Drama Club", was co-written and produced by Martinez's frequent collaborators, Kinetics & One Love. A concept album,[25] it has been described to be an alternative pop,[26] dark pop,[27] and art pop record.[28] Martinez's official website describes the album's sound as "a vibrant and singular melting pot of low-key hip-hop, soulful pop and indie-leaning electro".[29] AllMusic also notes influences of hip hop and R&B.[30]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Albumism[31]
AllMusic[30]

Matt Collar of AllMusic wrote that the album is a "more sophisticated production, with better hooks showcasing Martinez's growth as a songwriter".

Awards and nominations[edit]

Award Year Category Result Ref.
Billboard Music Awards 2020 Top Soundtrack Nominated [32]

Commercial performance[edit]

Despite no singles being released prior to the album, K–12 debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with 57,000 album-equivalent units, of which 30,000 were pure album sales. It is Martinez's second US top-10 album[33] Additionally it topped the alternative album chart becoming her second consecutive top charter. Elsewhere the album reached the top 10 of eight different countries including the UK, Australia and Canada.

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Melanie Martinez and Michael Keenan, and produced by Keenan, except where noted

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Wheels on the Bus"
 3:40
2."Class Fight"  2:41
3."The Principal"  2:56
4."Show & Tell"  3:35
5."Nurse's Office"
[34]		 3:22
6."Drama Club"
One Love3:45
7."Strawberry Shortcake"
  • Martinez
  • Keenan
  • Warren
 3:04
8."Lunchbox Friends"  2:49
9."Orange Juice"  3:37
10."Detention"  3:56
11."Teacher's Pet"  4:01
12."High School Sweethearts"  5:11
13."Recess"
  • Martinez
  • Keenan
  • Warren
 3:51
Total length:46:27
After School - Deluxe Edition[35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Notebook"  2:30
15."Test Me"  2:54
16."Brain & Heart"
 3:23
17."Numbers"  4:39
18."Glued"  3:12
19."Field Trip"  3:00
20."The Bakery"
  • Martinez
  • Blake Slatkin
Slatkin2:34
Total length:67:19
iTunes / Physical bonus video and DVD[36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."K-12" (the film)Martinez
Tyler Zelinsky
92:06
Total length:138:33
Limited edition bonus vinyl single[23]
No.TitleLength
1."High School Sweethearts"5:11
2."Strawberry Shortcake"3:04
Total length:8:15

Notes

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for K–12
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[72] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for K–12
Region Date Version Format(s) Label Ref.
Various September 6, 2019 Standard
Atlantic [73]
September 25, 2020 After School – Deluxe Edition
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 [35]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Martinez uses she/her and they/them pronouns. This article uses she/her pronouns for consistency.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wass, Mike (November 30, 2015). "Melanie Martinez On Concept Albums & The Future Adventures Of Cry Baby: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (August 15, 2017). "Melanie Martinez Celebrates 'Cry Baby' Chart Success, Looks Ahead To Elaborate Album/Film Project". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Melanie Martinez - K-12 (Official Trailer)". Retrieved August 30, 2019 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Wass, Mike (September 4, 2019). "Film Review: Melanie Martinez's 'K-12' Is A Twisted Pop Musical". Idolator. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "K-12 💗 SEPT 6". May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (May 23, 2019). "LI Sound: Melanie Martinez readying new album, movie". Newsday. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  7. ^ "littlebodybigheart Instagram Stories". ISDB PW. July 22, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
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  9. ^ Rosenzweig, Mathias (September 14, 2019). "The Second Coming Of Melanie Martinez". V Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  10. ^ "Been dying to give you all an Album/Movie update..." February 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2019 – via Instagram.
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  12. ^ Kim, Madeline (February 16, 2020). "Melanie Martinez - After School". The Tartan. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  13. ^ "Melanie Martinez reveals plans for two more movies after K-12". PopBuzz. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
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  28. ^ Samways, Gemma (February 18, 2020). "Melanie Martinez review: Pop princess loses her way in fairytale settings". Evening Standard. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
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  30. ^ a b Collar, Matt. "K-12 – Melanie Martinez". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
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