She didn’t make it to the finals on The Voice‘s third season, but New York native Melanie Martinez might be the NBC show’s first real breakout star. The 18-year-old former Team Adam Levine contestant has released her debut single “Dollhouse” on iTunes, and posted an accompanying music video.
The photography student known for her two-toned hair has been compared to alternative crooner Fiona Apple, and her sound could easily match Grammy-winning prodigy Lorde.
Martinez’s new tune is dark as she sings about a picture-perfect family that is much more troubled under the surface. She co-wrote the song with NYC writing team Kinetics & One Love (responsible for B.o.B’s “Airplanes.”)
“Mom, please wake up. Dad’s with a slut and your son is smoking cannabis,” she sings. “Everyone thinks that we’re perfect, please don’t let them look through the curtains.”
Martinez became a fan favorite on the third season of The Voice when Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green turned their chairs for her captivating rendition of Britney Spears‘ “Toxic” in the blind auditions. The young singer gave several memorable performances, including her emotional rendition of Alex Clare‘s “Too Close,” which she chose after a painful breakup with her longterm boyfriend.
Levine, 34, has always been encouraging of his former contestant, even noting that her fashion and style has influenced fans. Her artistic flare is apparent in the “Dollhouse” music video, in which Martinez dresses as a slightly demented doll.
With one side of her hair pink and the other black, her exaggerated makeup and giant pink bow look straight out of a Tim Burton film.
Though The Voice has brought NBC impressive ratings, many critics note that the show has yet to produce a real breakout star akin to American Idol‘s Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, or Jennifer Hudson.
Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope went on to release her country album Frame By Frame and single “Wasting All These Tears,” which performed well on the country iTunes chart. And season 4 winner Danielle Bradbery had mild success with her self-titled debut album. But no Voice star has been able to break the mainstream barrier and produce a chart topper.
Watch the video and tell Us: Do you think Melanie Martinez could be the show’s first breakout star?
