Fallingwater (album)

After the viral success of her 2016 single "Alaska," Rogers faced intense pressure to craft a full-length follow-up. She enrolled at NYU's Clive Davis Institute, where she studied music production and engineering, which shaped her hands-on approach to the album. The title track was inspired by a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, where she felt a profound connection between the architecture and her own creative process. Recording sessions took place in various studios, including Electric Lady Studios in New York, with producers like Greg Kurstin and Kid Harpoon, but Rogers retained significant creative control, co-writing every track and often engineering herself.¹

The album's sound is a fusion of organic instrumentation and electronic textures, reflecting Rogers's folk roots and her love for dance music. Songs like "Give a Little" and "Burning" feature driving beats and layered harmonies, while ballads such as "Past Life" and "Light On" showcase her introspective songwriting. Lyrically, the album grapples with themes of self-acceptance, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Critics praised Rogers's ability to balance vulnerability with anthemic choruses, noting that the album's production highlights her distinctive voice and poetic lyrics.

Fallingwater debuted at number 31 on the US Billboard 200 and topped the Heatseekers Albums chart, marking a strong commercial start. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many highlighting the album's cohesive production and Rogers's growth as a songwriter. The album was nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, recognizing the meticulous work of Rogers and her engineering team. Singles "Give a Little" and "Light On" received significant airplay, with "Light On" becoming a fan favorite and a staple of her live performances.²

One notable detail is that the album's title track "Fallingwater" was written after Rogers visited the actual house, but she initially kept the inspiration secret, fearing it would seem pretentious. The album's cover art, a photograph of Rogers submerged in water, was shot by photographer Ryan McGinley and reflects the album's aquatic themes. Additionally, the track "Overnight" was co-written with Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow, and "On the Page" features a sample of a field recording from a 1960s NASA mission, a subtle nod to Rogers's interest in space. The album's engineering team included Shawn Everett, who won a Grammy for his work on Kacey Musgraves's Golden Hour, further cementing the album's technical pedigree.

Heatseekers Albums

A Billboard chart that ranks new or emerging artists' albums.

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

A Grammy Award category recognizing excellence in recording engineering for non-classical music.

Debay Sounds

An independent record label founded by Maggie Rogers and her management team.