Review: "Blow Up My Life" - Frankie Orella
- Kyler Griggs
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Everyone has experienced FOMO – or fear of missing out – at some point. Whether its for a concert, trip, party, or something else, its likely that you were consumed by regrets or “what-if” thoughts. Something that isn't as frequently talked about is the fear of missing out on life. It is easy to feel as if you are falling behind compared to those around you or missing out on certain experiences because societal pressures can exacerbate internal struggles and complicated thoughts. Frankie Orella does not shy away from sharing raw thoughts in her vulnerable single “Blow Up My Life". Every lyric and every line of the song holds such deep weight, reflecting those tough thoughts that everyone has experienced, but rarely vocalized to others. From the very opening line “I didn't eat for a week. Wanted to feel skinny. Look pretty" to the line “All of the boys I could have kissed, parties missed. I'm still that kid held hostage by the habit…”, each lyric serves as a heartfelt confession of thoughts people tend to store away in their mind under lock and key. The added worries of being judged for your impulsive thoughts that others might not understand can be overwhelming to grapple with. So overwhelming that you might have the urge to simply disappear, pause time, or as Frankie Orella conveys in her song, blow up your life to have a moment of peace.
“Blow Up My Life" is a deeply personal, vulnerable song. The soft sound and soft vocals add to the song's overall intimate vibes. There is a guitar that is strummed gently, adding a sense of comfort to the very heavy lyrics. Frankie Orella's voice is as gentle as the guitar. Her tone is quite soft and reminds me of hesitant, whispered confessions of secret struggles shared with someone in private that you have never divulged before. However, her voice can also best be described as a tender hug that brings a lot of comfort. The music and her voice combined all feels very quiet and calm, like the vulnerable, personal thoughts conveyed through the lyrics are meant to be shared in whispers to protect an inner sense of peace. Around halfway through the song, the rhythm of the song picks up and becomes a bit brighter, even with the emotion-packed lyrics. The shift from a slower, more melancholic tune to one that is more energetic reminds me of a “so what" moment. It's a moment when you realize your struggles don't have to define you because it would be easy to just “blow up your life" and get away from everything troubling you.
Nashville native Frankie Orella grew up with a love of music and was immediately immersed in music-performing. She played in churches at a young age, studied The Beatles' discography, and performed alongside her jingle-writing father. Frankie Orella has created an incredible sound for herself, with raw songs that perfectly encapsulates the complicated and beautiful emotions of the human experience. Her latest single, “Blow Up My Life", is another example of this, with honest, transparent lyricism that she has quickly become known for. Orella creates music that is deeply personal, yet universally relatable, making her a source of inspiration and comfort for many of her devoted listeners. In 2020, Orella released an EP, “Stages of Grief", which explored the grief as she grappled with her adolescent loss of her mother. In 2023, she released an alt-pop EP, “Sad in Paradise", that explored themes of mental health through unforgettable orchestral moments. Her forthcoming EP, "It's Kind of a Mess in Here", will feature five tracks that highlights struggles with anxiety, growing pains, and fear of losing control. Frankie Orella continues to create incredible, unfiltered music discussing various struggles that resonates with many people from all over the globe.
Written By Kyler Griggs
FOLLOW FRANKIE ORELLA: