The first step is admitting you have a problem. I have a drag queen obsession. When I learned last year that the most underrated queen, Mimi Imfurst, paired with two other gorgeous women to form the most unconventional girl group ever, I was more than excited.
Together, Mimi, Rony and JC make up XELLE, a pop supergroup that is all about having fun and creating guilty pleasure, catchy tracks. Preceded by three amazing singles, the group’s debut release, Queens, grabs attention from the very beginning and never wants to let it go. Parties, love and acceptance are the underlying themes for the project. Try not to dance to what you hear.
Together, Mimi, Rony and JC make up XELLE, a pop supergroup that is all about having fun and creating guilty pleasure, catchy tracks. Preceded by three amazing singles, the group’s debut release, Queens, grabs attention from the very beginning and never wants to let it go. Parties, love and acceptance are the underlying themes for the project. Try not to dance to what you hear.
After a short intro to get listeners ready for what is to come, the fun starts with “Queen”, a song that assures fans who command the dance floor. Rony and JC exchange verses about what to expect when you walk into a nightclub, while Mimi spits out a rap-like verse explaining why she is the royal queen that she is. Get on your knees and worship them. The song is the perfect start for the album.
The lovely trio’s breakout single “Party Girl” began my unhealthy obsession. I am glad I came across it. XELLE have always said they are the party girls of pop music and this song cemented that statement. “While the bar guy mixes liquid and ice,” Rony sings with vocals that deserve more recognition than they have been getting. The track is enjoyable, it’s hardcore pop and it’s damn good.
“Sweat” is as sexual as the trio gets on the project. The girls want to make sure their lover in bed loses control, bust out your animal. While the track may not be as show-stopping as their previous releases, it features top notch vocals and a structure that is reminiscent of pop music ripped straight from the 90s. I knew they could get dirty. Glad they included it.
The almost comical “Love Affair” was a risky inclusion, but the risk certainly paid off. The song starts off with every cheesy line a man could use on a girl and I could not help but smile. “Are you from Tennessee? Cuz you’re the only ten I see,” is just one example of the silliness that surprisingly works with the perfect chorus that accompanies it. Just another step in the right direction.
Every album needs a ballad – even The Fame had “Brown Eyes”- and XELLE knew their EP would not be complete without one. Instead of face-paced beats and production, the trio settles for loud, drum pounding assistance on “The City” that highlights their vocals on a track about a city full of sin. A guitar solo is thrown in for good measure, the most unexpected moment from the group.
The only thing wrong with “Hologram” is having to wait so long for the music video. To be honest, the song did not draw me in as fast as “Party Girl”, but it has certainly won me over. I take this piece a little more seriously than the rest of the track list. Comparing a love to just an illusion, a figment of one’s imagination, is a terrible diss. Don’t cross these ladies.
The unfortunately small effort concludes with “Invincible”, an uplifting song with a message of strength, about not letting anyone knock you down. When it was released, it was another hit for the group, showing off their wide range and vocal ability. “No one can love you, better than you love yourself,” XELLE sings to their fans struggling with bullying and identity issues.
Queensis a strong debut effort I Wish was just a little bit longer. I already knew half of the tracks were perfect; it was the four new additions I was patiently waiting to listen to. XELLE did not disappoint. The album is fun, ventures into every aspect of the music industry, and will certainly have fans singing along. Does the project have its flaws? Of course. Just like every other debut, but the group makes up for them with their vocal performances, fun lyrics and charm. Since day one I have been slightly addicted and this new release only makes me want more already. Queens receives an 84%.
Tracks to Hear: “Queen”, “Love Affair”, “Hologram”, and “Invincible”
If the album release was not enough to please fans, the group set to take over the world released a fun and interesting video to accompany their new single “Queen”. Featuring appearances from many contestants of RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Pandora Boxx, Raven and Manila Luzon, the visual is trippy as it is beautiful. Many special effects are used to showcase the girls, and even though at times it got to be a bit much, I enjoyed this new, rather simple, video. Dedicated to the late Sahara Davenport, I am sure the girls came together to pay tribute to a true queen. Watch the epicness if you have not done so 100 times as I have already.
If the album release was not enough to please fans, the group set to take over the world released a fun and interesting video to accompany their new single “Queen”. Featuring appearances from many contestants of RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Pandora Boxx, Raven and Manila Luzon, the visual is trippy as it is beautiful. Many special effects are used to showcase the girls, and even though at times it got to be a bit much, I enjoyed this new, rather simple, video. Dedicated to the late Sahara Davenport, I am sure the girls came together to pay tribute to a true queen. Watch the epicness if you have not done so 100 times as I have already.
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