New Jersey singer-songwriter Juliana Frangella is quickly establishing herself as one of the state’s most intriguing and versatile musical talents. After turning heads with her 2023 debut album, Intrusive Thoughts, Frangella returns with her sophomore effort, Fantastic Funeral, a collection that blends folk and rock sensibilities while exploring darker, horror-inspired themes.
Intrusive Thoughts introduced listeners to Frangella’s sharp storytelling and infectious songwriting. Written largely during her high school years, the album features ten tracks full of poppy, upbeat melodies, clever lyricism, very accessible and relatable teenage angst without the angst. Songs like “Did I Write You?” showcase a sassy, Belinda Carlisle or Liz Phair-like attitude, while “Green Light in the Dark” captures the restless boredom of suburban life with nods to literary classics. Tracks like “Parasite” experiment with sci-fi elements, and “Roadkill” turns heartbreak into playful, ironic fantasy. The album’s honesty and wit resonated with local audiences, earning it recognition as the “Makin Waves Album of the Month” by New Jersey Stage in April 2023, and setting the stage for the artist’s next phase.
Produced by Mike Montrey, who also taught Frangella guitar and contributed instrumentally, Intrusive Thoughts established a foundation of melodic clarity and genre-blending that she carries forward in Fantastic Funeral. The new album takes bold risks, releasing its 14 tracks one at a time as singles to build anticipation and allow each song to shine. Already released singles, including “You’re a Cynic if You Say” and the Halloween-themed “Creature,” showcase Frangella’s duality: tender folk moments juxtaposed with hard rock energy, all infused with gothic and horror motifs. Earlier tracks like “The Bite” hinted at the dark, cinematic storytelling that now defines the album.
Frangella’s work has always celebrated contrasts. Her “girl next door” aesthetic meets lyrics that explore the eerie, macabre, and uncanny. She has embraced these themes visually as well, promoting the album with striking imagery captured in cemeteries and alongside skeletons, emphasizing the album’s gothic personality without ever losing her signature melodic sensibility. Producer Mike Montrey praises her creativity, noting that her songs are as catchy as they are daring, reflecting an artist unafraid to balance playfulness with the macabre.
Fans of Frangella’s debut will recognize the throughline of honesty and storytelling, but Fantastic Funeral shows significant growth. While Intrusive Thoughts focused on personal “diary entries” of adolescence, Fantastic Funeral pushes her sound into darker, more cinematic territories without abandoning the accessible hooks and melodies that made her first album so appealing. It’s an evolution that honors her roots while establishing a bold, forward-looking identity.
Juliana Frangella’s trajectory also aligns with the legacy of great female artists who have navigated genre and identity with ingenuity. From 1980s pop-rock trailblazers like The Go-Go’s and The Bangles, who combined instrumental talent with catchy hooks, to 1990s R&B and pop powerhouses like TLC and Destiny’s Child, Frangella follows in a tradition of women who blend personal narrative with broader musical appeal. Her ability to straddle folk, rock, and pop sensibilities positions her as a versatile voice in New Jersey’s growing music scene.
For listeners interested in following the evolution of one of New Jersey’s most compelling young artists, exploring New Jersey music offers insight into her latest releases, live performances, and the wider creative community shaping the state’s soundscape. Frangella’s work, from the poppy, witty melodies of Intrusive Thoughts to the haunting, adventurous sounds of Fantastic Funeral, highlights an artist with range, vision, and the courage to explore musical boundaries.
Her sophomore album isn’t just a continuation—it’s a reinvention. With its unique blend of folk, rock, and gothic themes, Fantastic Funeral cements Juliana Frangella as an artist who can surprise, delight, and challenge audiences all at once, while her debut remains a testament to her gift for crafting upbeat, clever, and unforgettable songs that capture the spirit of youth and self-discovery.
