★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
We've come to expect it. Once a contestant from RuPaul's Drag Race is told to sashay away from the main stage, they automatically think the next logical step is to record an album of "original" material... someone needs to tell them all only a handful should actually move forward with those plans.
Thankfully, season five runner-up and fan favorite Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 from the planet Glamtron is one of those talented few. The performer's debut album, properly titled Anus, is everything one would expect from the comedy queen, a mix of over-the-top dramatics, hilarious ad libs and unnecessary concepts.
Preceded by a slew of original singles, including "Your Makeup Is Terrible" and "Nails", the full length effort keeps Alaska in her inappropriate comfort zone, while shedding light on opportunities to showcase unheard talents and giving a whole new meaning to "drag music". If one were to dive in with an open mind, the new album turns out to be better than expected, a crazy ride from beginning to end.
Opening up with a spoken-word experiment as opposed to a traditional song, the informative "Hieeee" features Miss Alaska's signature catchphrase/salutation as the queen details the struggling, sometimes glamorous life of a drag performer. Over a sick, impressively produced dance beat, the artist lays out the rules for the critics, fans and naysayers while giving a lesson on how to show compassion and running through her career highlights thus far.
The artist unexpectedly goes deep into hip-hop/trap territory on the album's title track. "Anus" is deliciously vulgar, encourages listeners to drop it to the beat until they feel it in their boy parts and throws in some gagworthy lyrical content for good measure. The overall tone screams fun and sarcasm, but the short track does not do much for the album as a whole. It smells of Alaska's essence, but ultimately becomes filler.
"Pussy" is the first unexpected surprise on the album. Built as a sweet, summery love song, Alaska declares she loves every part of the person who has currently stolen her heart. "Whisper, sweetly in my ear, eat pizza watch Golden Girls, we fit so perfectly together, you opened up my whole wide world," she sings on the clever verses before an explicit, Katy Perry-leaning chorus comes through. Clearly, the artist is poking fun at pop, and we are joining in.
Who said facial hair was only for men? On "Beard", the drag performer welcomes a new age where the controversial subject can be worn by the masculine or the feminine. With another hilarious concept, Alaska takes it, runs with it and throws a sickening dance beat on top of it. Thoughts of a sickening music video run through the listener's mind as they give fierce hair flips to the rave-inspired creation.
Current single, "This Is My Hair", is not the most complex addition to the album, the same eight words are repeated throughout the three-minute track, but it does make for a killer drag performance. Alaska warns spectators to never disrespect a drag queen by claiming their "platinum blonde" hair is merely a wig. Rude. The production causes the destruction of the "replay" button, but as a single, it could have been much better.
Alaska turns another iconic catchphrase into an infectious club track on "Nails", the album's second single. Preceded by a beautiful, piano-driven introduction, the darker, edgier creation is original and creative, even though it contains some questionable lyrical content and a decent chorus. "Shave and file, like you're Selina Kyle, reflect your style, just keep it versatile," the artist sings on the innocent, commanding and catchy tune.
It's pretty funny to hear season six villain Laganja Estranja featured on "Gimme All Your Money" following a hilarious parody of the queen from Alaska herself, and while the collaboration is supported by an intriguing trap-inspired beat, the finished product unfortunately falls flat. From the repetitive chorus, uninspiring verses and Estranja's forced flow, the track easily gets squashed to the bottom of the track list.
"Everything Tonight" sounds to be Alaska's answer to a mainstream radio pop track, complete with an infectious hook, a low vocal performance and weekend-inspired lyrics. Though mostly a repetition of an earworm of a chorus, and only two verses, the track embodies what top-of-the-charts, dumbed-down music has become. "We are one, we are with the light, we're the sun, through the darkest night," she sings.
The artist uses different vocal styles to give "Best Night Ever" a unique, layered feel. Again, there's not much going on in terms of songwriting or underlying meaning, however, Alaska's additional ad libs carry a bulk of the track's positive weight. Clocking in at under three minutes, the party song is ultimately a carefree, production-heavy banger that borders on the line of upbeat dance track and comedy parody.
Fellow American Apparel Ad Girls Courtney Act and Willam Belli assist Alaska on "The Shade Of It All", a pleasant surprise for its piano-driven ballad approach. As Act and Belli serve as hilarious backing vocal angels, Alaska reminisces on a past relationship, maybe her time with Sharon Needles, giving a whole new meaning to the "no shade" term. While there are no hard feelings between the two parties, Alaska clearly vents her hurt and frustration.
Inspired by those artists who became icons under unfortunate, tragic circumstances, Alaska contemplates life after death on "Legendary". The artist has come to terms with Lady Death as her narrative songwriting and a breezy beat tells the story of her ultimate demise. With a solid vocal delivery, the track has its radio-friendly edge while staying true to the artist's humor which every listener may not be able to wrap their heads around.
Listeners would not immediately associate the Drag Race star with deep, heartfelt ballads, but Alaska hits a homerun with the alt rock-leaning "Killer", the artist's acceptance of time and how everything can be gone in the blink of an eye. "You caught me trying to figure out, all these things I used to care about, trying to get ahead, trying to win the race, such a waste of time, such a waste of space," she sings with despair on the album's main highlight.
The album closes out with "Your Makeup Is Terrible", the first sign of Alaska's eventual takeover. Inspired by a Pit Crew member during a season five Drag Race challenge, the electronic-influenced party song is the perfect blend of spoken word and infectious beats. The hilarious premise and genius songwriting grab the attention of the listener within the first few seconds and never lets go. The single is a strong closer and never seems to get old.
Anus is the album only Alaska Thunderfuck could deliver, that's why it is a successful debut effort. The artist could have released a mainstream-ready project that everyone could have enjoyed, but staying true to her devoted fan base and her drag aesthetic allows Alaska to go above and beyond musical expectations. While it's nice to hear the performer has not lost her comedic chops or her likable and one-of-a-kind personality, the album easily maneuvers around serious subject matter and topics buried deep within the Drag Bible. While most of the album comes off as unnecessary yet satisfying empty calories, it shows glimpses at the artist's future pop chart reign.
Tracks to Hear: "Hieeee", "Beard", "The Shade Of It All", "Killer" and "Your Makeup Is Terrible"
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