I think what I love most about Chappell Roan is that her version of femininity is unquestionably female but she manages to skirt the male gaze. For example, take “Pink Pony Club.” How many songs are there (in all the various genres) about female dancers that focus primarily on objectification?? (“Girls, Girls, Girls” in particular comes to mind.) Alternatively, “Pink Pony Club” is written from the inside looking out, and I think the fact that she is coming from a queer perspective makes this especially possible.

As we stand at the top of the hill, reality is sinking in. What awaits us on the other side is an inevitable set of losses.