When 20-year-old New Yorker Mikaela Straus, aka King Princess, was asked recently how she feels about the idea of becoming a queer spokesperson, she replied: “I’d rather put out good art and allow my gayness to be an added bonus of that art.”
Though she’s boldy made up like a drag queen on the cover of her debut album, inside it’s a more conventional musical tale. There’s no sign of her unsubtle single Pussy Is God among the 13 tracks or indeed her breakthrough song 1950, which was inspired by the Patricia Highsmith novel that became the gay romance film Carol. Here, songs such as Ain’t Together and You Destroyed My Heart offer breakup themes that will work for people across the sexuality spectrum.
As surprises go, the strangest moment comes when Useless Phrases, a twinkly tune that looks set to be the catchiest thing here, fizzles out after just over a minute. Elsewhere, her sound flits from soulful trip hop on Prophet to waltzing acoustic balladry on Homegirl. Her sad, rich voice suits some old-fashioned moments, such as Hit The Back’s shift from piano torch song to disco number.
Mark Ronson has been an early champion, releasing her first EP on his own label, and like him she favours dotting the predominantly retro with modern touches, such as the digital layering of her voice on the memorable title track. But there’s nothing here that wouldn’t follow smoothly from an Adele song on a playlist for the newly single.
