Maggie Rogers’ debut album defied genre and developed the artist’s style.
Maggie Rogers’ debut album defied genre and developed the artist’s style.
Across eight months, two states, a mile hike to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a six-hour wait for the House of Blues, I’ve seen Maggie Rogers three times.
Each show was completely unique — defined by the people I went with, the current events of my life and Rogers’ ability to make each show feel like the first. Despite the tour being named after her most recent album, “Don’t Forget Me,” I also heard most of her debut album, “Heard It In A Past Life.”
“Heard It In A Past Life” technically falls into the indie-folk category, but Rogers’ skills are apparent, merging genres and embracing pop, folk, R&B and soul influences to create a distinct record.
The album navigates relationships — from their establishment to their dissolution, and the lasting impact people have on each other.
“Give A Little” and “Overnight,” the album’s first two tracks, are examples of Rogers’ relationship theme. Partly inspired by student activism across the country, “Give A Little” implores listeners to embrace empathy by giving people the chance to reinvent and renew themselves, while “Overnight” explores how quickly this change can occur.
Third track “The Knife” cements Rogers’ thesis via prudent lyricism. “The Knife” balances lyricism and production, establishing the beginning of Rogers path to musical fame.
“The knife of insight tore its way in me / A brash collision without sympathy,” Rogers sings.
During a class as an undergrad, Rogers had the opportunity to play “Alaska” to acclaimed producer and New York University’s then Artist-In-Residence Pharrell Williams. Williams’ reaction to Rogers’ lyrics and production style went viral on YouTube, kickstarting her musical career.
Across the shows I’ve seen, Rogers has performed “Alaska” in different variations, including a synth remaster and an acoustic version.
During Rogers’ Oct. 24 show at the United Center, Shay, the owner of the Instagram account @maggierogersontour, brought small squares of red, blue, yellow and green paper to be held over phone lights during “Light On.” It being her fourth fan project, Shay said she wanted to celebrate Rogers’ first arena tour.
“It truly just felt like this project was not only a way to give something back to Maggie, but to celebrate the success she’s had,” Shay wrote in an Instagram DM to The Phoenix. “Like we are truly leaving the light on for her. I hope she remembers it during her well-deserved break.”
As Rogers began the song, I looked at my close friend Sarah, with a red paper over her phone, looking around at the crowd as white confetti fell upon her. Though Rogers’ sings of being terrified of a quick rise to fame in “Light On,” I think about my friends — as long as they leave the light on, I’ll leave mine on too.
“If you keep reaching out / Then I’ll keep coming back / But if you’re gone for good / Then I’m okay with that / If you leave the light on / Then I’ll leave the light on,” Rogers sings.
Backed only by piano, “Past Life” allows Rogers to showcase her vocal prowess. She croons across the song, backed by her own past lives.
“Say It” is the ultimate crush song. A new crush evokes a sparkly feeling of possibility, which Rogers depicts through heavy snares, abrupt beats and electronic production.
“And every time our fingers touched / I felt like it would be too much / And too little to hang onto,” Rogers sings.
“On + Off” speaks of finding stability and chemistry with another person. Alongside “Say It” and the penultimate track, “Burning,” “On + Off” always finds its way onto my playlists when I have a new crush.
When I listen to “Fallingwater,” I picture my grandma, whom I call Grama, fully enamored with Rogers’ performance and clapping along to the beats.
In May, I dragged her with me to see Rogers perform at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Despite barely listening to Rogers, my Grama spent the day with me attending Rogers’ pre-show ice cream party, making friendship bracelets and walking uphill to our seats.
“Retrograde” and “Back In My Body” have gotten me through the past three years of college. From a personal “reckoning” to staying and “fighting,” these two songs are the ones that play when I’m unsure of my life path and need a realignment.
Through the many lives I’ve lived and have yet to live, “Heard It In A Past Life” will be on the soundtrack.
“Heard It In A Past Life” is available on all major streaming platforms.
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