Tabitha Wilson
German singer-songwriter Kim Petras has released her highly anticipated studio album Feed The Beast. It features a selection of maximalist Eurodance hits mixed with some more melancholy, introspective tracks.
The 30-year-old artist, based in Los Angeles, California, became the first openly transgender artist to win a major-category Grammy. Alongside Sam Smith last year, she received the award for their viral sensation Unholy.
Feed The Beast is Petras’ first studio album, following a selection of mixtapes and extended plays, including fan favourite Slut Pop, which was released in 2022.
Breaking the mould
The record features a number of high-octane instant club classics, including the powerful, pulsating King Of Hearts, the sparkly, throbbing Castle In The Sky, and the standout, uhoh.
“uhoh could easily be imagined playing at any nightclub across Europe”
With an electronic, oscillating beat and Petras’ confident lyricism filtered through heavy vocal effects, uhoh could easily be imagined playing at any club across Europe. The title track opens the record on a high, with some slick, sexy, sharp vocals and production. Petras’ hallmark raunchy lyrics make Feed The Beast a classic club anthem.
Alone, featuring rap legend Nicki Minaj is up next, having already been released as a single, this track samples the iconic 1990 classic Better Off Alone by Dutch Europop duo Alice Deejay. Minaj’s lyrical versatility accompanies Petras’ silky, smooth vocals well on this track.
The second collaboration on the album is BAIT featuring BANKS, which doesn’t land quite as well as the artist’s track with Minaj. It is a good collaboration with sultry, sanguine themes, but it is ultimately quite forgettable.
More than just Europop
But the album isn’t just full of dance tracks. Petras shows a more vulnerable side on the melancholic Thousand Pieces. This song features a dramatic and swooping soundscape, and on Minute, she shows more emotion and introspection than she has in her previous work.
Claws showcases similar themes through a darker, more brooding lens, with the exploration of unrequited love. Hit It From The Back, whilst appearing relaxed and upbeat at first, hides a deeper message underneath the sex-positive façade.
The high-octane Revelations has a slightly different vibe from the artist’s previous music, with a funky, sustained guitar melody. Sex Talk, however, combines glossy production with breezy vocals and a whimsical, synth-filled instrumental.
“Music doesn’t always have to have a serious and profound message”
Coconuts, a track which has previously gone viral for its fun, light-hearted message, fits perfectly on the album. The sun-soaked disco-pop track reminds the listener that music doesn’t always have to have a serious and profound message.
The theatrical brr features a juddering, prickly instrumental, dripping with sharp, disorienting vocals. It manages to hold its own, despite being followed by viral sensation and certified classic Unholy featuring Sam Smith.
Whilst the album is a strong piece of work, it would be nice to see Petras experiment a little more with her sound. However, when you have a formula this good, it’s not hard to see why Petras decided to play it safe.
The artist will be going on tour to promote the release of Feed The Beast, with her first European show scheduled for February 13 in Birmingham.
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Tabitha Wilson
Tabitha is an MA Journalism student at Sheffield University. She has previously worked as a maritime journalist, and studied politics at Durham University. She enjoys writing about music, culture, and travel.