Unleashing the Beast: Kim Petras' Pop Revolution
Kim Petras steers mainstream American pop back to its glory days. Pop is the beast yearning to be set free, and Kim Petras is ready to do just that.
The much-anticipated release of Kim Petras' major label debut album, Feed The Beast, is definitely a highlight on the pop calendar this year. Riding the wave of international acclaim from her hit collaboration, “Unholy,” with Sam Smith, Petras evolved from a cult pop icon to a GRAMMY-winning sensation. This isn't a Cinderella tale though; Petras' rise is the fruit of perseverance and hard work. This album is the culmination of her journey so far.
Full disclosure here; I have to confess my bias. I've shared many memorable moments with Kim and have been her avid supporter since the early stages of her career. Witnessing her growth as a skilled songwriter, gifted vocalist, and a charismatic live performer, who loves nothing more than to put on a show, has been a delight. Having been brought up on a rich mix of techno and pop in Europe, Petras' inspirations are palpable. Petras has a firm grasp on the connective power of pop, intertwining bold imagination, evocative imagery, vibrant melodies, and resonant storytelling.
Deeply steeped in Euro rave-pop, Feed the Beast is Petras' effort to steer mainstream American pop back to its glory days of the late 90s and early 00s. Her ultra-commercial, glossy, danceable pop promises to not just fire up her existing fan base but also to resonate with those who came of age in the TRL era. Petras' brand of pop is like a pleasant rush of nostalgia, something that's hard to find elsewhere.
Despite the inevitable criticism for producing a 'straight-up' pop album alongside bold imagery, let's remember that this isn't the first time we've seen this. Both Madonna and Lady Gaga, about 15 years ago, embraced their pop personas without hesitation. As Gaga once stated, "Pop music will never be low brow."
And that's exactly the point. Petras is here to serve us entertainment the best way she knows. Collaborating with a star-studded lineup of industry veterans, she has crafted a vision of pop that feels retro in origin, yet is undeniably her own.
Feed the Beast is a non-stop adrenaline rush of high-voltage, synth-drenched pop that perfectly encapsulates Petras' pop ethos. The album effortlessly transitions from the opener "Feed The Beast," to her global hit "Alone," to the irresistible future single, "King of Hearts," boasting a colossal, arena-sized chorus.
Standouts for me are the disco anthem "uhoh," the Breakbot-esque French house stunner "Revelations," and the exquisite, goosebump-inducing "Minute," tailor-made for a nocturnal spin down Mulholland Drive. Another slice of dancefloor euphoria is the Cirkut-produced, vibrato-tastic "Claws" that I adore. Petras' homage to 90s house culminates in "Castle In The Sky," a vibrant post-rave gabber house track.
The term "Feed The Beast," in music industry lingo, implies the relentless churn of content by artists to inundate streaming platforms and keep their fan base hooked. In the context of this album, to me, it's Petras’ way of declaring, "Pop's not dead!" Pop music is that ravenous beast, eager for more, waiting to be unleashed. And there's no one better than Kim Petras to set it free.
Listen to Kim Petras Feed The Beast on Apple Music.