Lily Holbrook
She’s known all over the world for her soft bedroom lullabies and explorations of feminism that are universal in appeal, so it’s hard to believe that Hold On Baby is only the second offering from Brooklyn-born Mikaela Straus. The emergence of 1950 in 2018 undeniably cemented King Princess as a queer icon, and her latest record is the beginning of a new era for the pop star.
Filled with a husky urgency, Hold On Baby undoubtedly preserves the soothing quality of her previous work, whilst simultaneously capturing the uniquely arousing energy that has come to define King Princess.
The Art of Expression
Opening track I Hate Myself, I Want To Party is a song of contrasts; balancing the affliction of self-hatred with an underlying desire for escape. Heavier, rockier synths on this track prove that Straus has mastered the art of experimentation – a theme that translates to other areas of her life, from identity and music to politics and sexuality.
“spiritual connotations are strongly interwoven”
Consistent throughout her discography, Straus is deeply concerned with the conflict between love and religion. From earlier works Holy and Prophet to newer offerings Cursed and Dotted Lines, spiritual connotations are strongly interwoven as the battle for romantic and platonic acceptance runs deep. Evident in her lyrics but also the vision of wings in her album artwork, Straus’ need for metaphorical flight indicates her ongoing pursuit of authentic expression.
— King Princess (@KingPrincess69) July 2, 2022
Love in Lockdown
Despite some nods to external forces, previous examinations of social hierarchy on 2019’s Cheap Queen are only touched upon in this record, with a closer emphasis on the domestic aspects of modern relationships; a theme that reflects the many months spent locked away at home as our regular lives drew to a halt in 2020.
“the ultimate late night bedroom music soundtrack”
Peppered with self-reflection, Straus’s muted streams of consciousness on this record are the perfect accompaniment to the dreamy sounds that make her music the ultimate late-night bedroom soundtrack. Glittering, ethereal and transient, Hold On Baby Interlude feels like a moment of tentative clarity amid the swirling warmth of the tracks it bridges together.
Connection and Collaboration
Working most notably with Mark Ronson on the album’s production, it’s not surprising that the record has been widely praised by music critics for its instrumentals. Needing very little else to accentuate her natural talent, Little Bother is the only track on the record to involve overt collaboration: with the soulful vocals of R&B artist Fousheé.
Documenting the tangled web between friends and lovers in fleeting interactions that are impossibly intimate at the same time, For My Friends, Crowbar, and Cursed openly celebrate the highs and lows of real love and friendship. Anchored by the love of women as Straus comes to terms with her authentic self, feelings of inferiority are soon overridden by the acceptance of those who validate her truth.
Breaking the Mould
“perfectly depicts the power of King Princess”
Building on the foundations laid out by Too Bad – an assertive track with rocky undertones and a level of self-assurance that continues to flourish as the album progresses – Let Us Die is a defiant outro to the record. It is a track that perfectly depicts the power of King Princess in her ability to be unapologetic and exposing in her declaration of true authenticity. Acknowledging the pain that can come with living one’s truth – “If the only way to love you is to let us die” this track’s existential nuance boldly encourages us towards acceptance in a world that repeatedly conditions us to believe that heteronormativity is the default.
Whether it’s the melodies or lyrics that resonate with personal experience, listening to King Princess feels like coming home to yourself. Whatever stage of your journey towards self-acceptance, letting go of old expectations is a must. But, to mirror the sentiments of the powerful second offering from this rising queer star, so is holding on.
Featured image courtesy of Jiroe (Matia Rengel) on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
Lily Holbrook
Lily is passionate about combining her environmental values with her love of music, the natural world and culture.