Ca$hrina’s album Trauma Queen is the perfect encapsulation of growing up and growing into yourself. It’s an angsty carefree experience of self-reflection. Following in the footsteps of pop punk icons from the empire state, Ca$hrina launches herself into the pop music scene unabridged and hungry for more.
Beginning with “DON’T GET MARRIED”, fast drums and moody guitars introduce Ca$hrina’s signature lyrical style as she sings “haters gonna hate but it’s okay at least you got one. Don’t let them dim your flame let them know how you have fun.” Hearing a woman artist take reign in a genre where their presence is usually diluted is noteworthy. And as the album starts, you know you’re in for something you will never forget.
Ca$hrina’s previously released song “Main Squeeze” sets up a familiar vibe and is a perfect complement to the album’s next track – “GIRLS!”. The beginning of GIRLS! Sounds like Mayday Parade’s “Jamie All Over” – a possible tribute to the artist’s east coast roots. She sings “We’re GIRLS! We make our own rules. Feet on the dashboard, breeze of the summer, we’re ready to let go”.
One of my personal favorites, “what r ur parents like?” is a reflection on deeply personal matters to the artist, she discusses difficult topics surrounding the idealization of a perfect family life. In the chorus, Ca$hrina sings “I wish my life was like a tv show. Perfect family. House with a porch and a dog. Dinner on the table looking like a catalogue. Everyone smiling head never in a fog. But you know its not realistic.” She sings “you were never there for me and I feel it.” Her ability to bring her feelings to life in a way that is relatable and still allows for you to scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs is special.
“Help me, there’s an ugly feeling again. I know I should be learning, but I like to pretend”. In “empath vs energy vampire” Ca$hrina embodies that tension of both wanting someone and wanting them to stay away from you, she sings “everybody needs me” and “please leave me alone”. This song discusses the battle of being a person that everybody goes to when they need help, but a person people usually ignore when they need someone. The end of this song is a classic pop punk breakdown which features a slowdown that builds previewed by echoes of people screaming “seeing your name pop up on my phone, really makes my mind blown”. It is the mark of nostalgia.
In a fun acoustic intermission, Ca$hrina sings “I wish they cared, but they don’t so I wont” in a way that feels very personal and fun as if you are sitting in the studio with her as she fleshes out the rest of this body of work.
“By YOUR side” is a stand out track. The start is a fun jolt of melody as she sings “my mom says don’t slam the door, sorry I’m on coffee, I can’t focus on anything. I try hard but I’m not me.” The chorus on this song is simple yet full of feeling and definitely one of the best choruses of the entire album. She sings “I can’t wait to be your side!”
The sound leads into another star track, “bedroom thoughts”. It is the song that the album has been building up to – the song that makes your stomach sink. She quietly sings “when I see you, I’m sorry my room is a mess, as long as I sleep on your chest, then you can pick the VHS” – a true marker of Ca$hrina’s personality and aesthetic as her visuals are always y2k/ 90’s based. She sings about wishing she was good enough for this person and being in her room reflecting on her relationship with this person. The chorus is one of those “this hurts so good” moments: “I try not to trip from what you said, but you were in my house inside my bed. Your new song stuck inside my head, when you drink soda I picture you dead.”
“Run and hide” gives Ashley Simpson vibes as Ca$hrina does some serious heart spilling singing “I need a place where I can run and hide – connect my body, soul and mind”. With a mellow guitar and cool kick drums she sings “I know I’m meant for more but I’m wounded pretty badly.”
A cool powerpuff girl-esque track is “deal with me”, with a swirly guitar Ca$hrina sings “something’s wrong with me, I’m gonna miss you when you leave, but if you do then it’s alright with me”. I imagine listening to this song as you walk into a Zumiez and instantly doing a little dance to the movement of the music. “We both know its hard to forget me.” The song fades perfectly into the last track “PROUD”.
As an album ender, “PROUD” could not have been a more perfect choice. She screams her name Ca$hrina! In a crazy punk and fucking cool way. It is the perfect encapsulation of who she is as she sings “11 year-old me is fucking proud”. It is an ode to herself and she sings “she stands up for things she believes in, she wears what she wants and doesn’t need a reason – she’s okay she’s gonna make it through the day”. It is the song of a person who knows they’re on the brink of bigger – standing on the edge of stardom. And guess what, it also has the coolest guitar solo.
Trauma Queen exceeds all expectations of artist Ca$hrina and feels like old fans’ biggest secret finally making its way into the world – watching with excitement. Ca$hrina carves out her signature sound with production from TNVR, brutally honest lyrics, and energy fueled reconciliations. These songs satisfy our sentiments of growing up, breaking up, and wanting the whole world to know our name.
Listen to Trauma Queen here:
Velvet Noise 