When most people think of Milwaukee Rap music, they would probably think of Slap beats or Low End music. These sounds have been popular in the last few years and have helped drive the scene. Milwaukee Hip Hop goes way beyond those sounds though, with many up-and-coming artists making something completely different. One such artist is Marie Valentine. Instead of that, Marie Valentine opts for Melodic R&B Trap music. Her sound is very distinctive in Milwaukee’s music landscape, and she is carving out her own lane. Over the last couple of years, she has been very prolific in her artistry and has carved out her own lane. Has released several singles and a couple of EPs, all while staying eclectic and diverse with her sound. Recently, Marie Valentine released an album called Girls Want Bands. This album has a larger-than-life sound that certainly stands out. Below, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite songs from Girls Want Bands, as well as give some thoughts on the project as a whole. Please let me know in the comments below what you think of Marie Valentine as this project! 

2009 (feat. Guap Gyal)

There are a few songs on this record that remind me of classic Lil Uzi Vert music. ‘2009 is one of them, and it may be my favorite of the bunch. ‘2009’ has an analog-style melody that definitely feels a bit nostalgic. The tone of the melody is so bright and warm, and it has this fuzzy element to it that really stands out. The beat for this track is slow and heavy. It goes so well with the feeling of the instrumental. Speaking of matching the melody, both Marie Valentine’s and Guap Gyal’s vocals on this song sound so good as well. Their vocals bounce off of each other, and their chemistry is palpable. ‘2009’ is a track that fans of early SoundCloud Trap music would really love. 

Paper Cuts (feat. Superstar Sel)

Whereas the first song I wrote about has more of a classic Melodic Trap sound, ‘Paper Cuts’ with Superstar Sel seems so much more current, or even futuristic. The sound of this song is very ultramodern. It is a pretty short song, but it really makes an impact. The melody for ‘Paper Cuts’ is so sweet and vibrant. The synths that drive this track have a twinkling feeling to them that sounds very cool. The melody has so much depth, and there are backing vocals that add strength to the track as well. The timing on the beat is pretty quirky, and it goes very well with the sound of the instrumental. The high and delicate tones in which Marie Valentine and Superstar Sel sing go well with each other and with the melody. They add to the futuristic nature of the track. ‘Paper Cuts’ is a super fresh take on modern Trap music. 

SLIMETYME

‘SlimeTyme’ is another brief song with a sound that feels very fresh and futuristic. It definitely reminds me in a lot of ways of the song preceding it on this list. The instrumental for this song is so smooth and groovy. The synths that drive this melody are very balmy and soothing. Like some of the other tracks, the melody has an analog feeling to it that is very cool. The beat for this track is pretty laid-back and calm. It has an R&B tempo that is very nice. Marie Valentine’s vocals on this one are just as sultry as the melody. Her vocals make this song feel so full and atmospheric. At 1:29, ‘SlimeTyme’ is actually the shortest song on this project. I wish it were longer, because the sound of the track is so nice. 

ROSEWATER ( FEAT. EF AY)

If you follow this blog, you probably know how much I dig whenever Ef Ay is featured on a Milwaukee music track. Like in so many other cases, he adds a lot to the song ‘Rosewater.’ This is an additional song with a very mellow and inviting sound to it. ‘Rosewater’ is driven by a sugary keyboard riff that is complemented by various synths that add so much life to the track. The melody is a bit glitchy, giving it a futuristic element. The beat for this track is pretty intricate and has a faster pace than a lot of the other beats on the project. Marie Valentine and Ef Ay both add integral and cool elements to this song. They kind of contrast each other’s vocals, which in turn helps both of them pop off. ‘Rosewater’ is a track where Marie Valentine and Ef Ay bring out the best in each other, and it is fun to listen to. 

CONCERNEDBADDIE.MP3

If there is one song on this record that is probably the most unlike the others, it has got to be ‘ConcernedBaddie.MP3.’ Whereas pretty much every other song has some sort of Trap sound, this one almost feels like a fusion between UK Garage music and DnB. This song is pretty short, but it hits so hard in its briefness. The melody for this one is very deep and sort of dark. It has a sound that kind of makes me think of a rainy day. As I mentioned, the beat on this song is so cool. Its glitchy nature and fast pace make the song so danceable in an undeniable way. I love the vocals on this one. Marie Valentine’s soft delivery and sweet tone mesh with the melody so nicely. ‘ConcernedBaddie.MP3’ is a standout for sure, and I loved hearing Marie Valentine go in this direction. 

Admittedly, before listening to Girls Want Bands, I did not know a ton about Marie Valentine’s music. I had definitely heard of her from being in tune with the Milwaukee music scene, but I was not as exposed to her music as I should have been. After listening to this project, I can completely say that I was missing out. Marie Valentine has a sound and style that is recognizable and captivating. A lot of the time, this record feels like a new take on the Melodic Trap music I came to love in the mid 2010s. The melodies and beats are inspired by that sound, but still feel unique. My favorite moments on the album are where she goes a little more outside the box, especially on the song ‘ConcernedBaddie.MP3.’ Marie Valentine proves that she is a very diverse vocalist on this project. There are several moments where her vocals take on a new style, and she pushes herself throughout. She slides on every instrumental and always meshes well with the energy of the instrumental and of her collaborators. Speaking of the features, they all kill it as well. Each feature adds something special to their respective tracks that really makes their performances special. Overall, Girls Want Bands is a fun project that shows the major potential of Marie Valentine. I will be enjoying this one for a while, and am excited to see what she can do next.