#MusicMonday: King Princess
by Ryan Cassata
King Princess is a name that most of the LGBTQ+ community has heard by now. Maybe you’ve jammed out to one of her songs in your car, sang at the top of your lungs with your friends, or even follow her on Twitter (she has quite the sense of humor). The 20-year-old recently released her long-awaited debut LP Cheap Queen. The record contains 13 tracks and spins for just under 40 minutes.
The opening track “Tough On Myself” seems to come from a vulnerable place. It’s a slow pop ballad that could be compared to the rhythmic vocal delivery style of Lizzo. Next we go to a much shorter track. “Useless Phrases” has a retro feel to it and almost feels like a ride at a haunted carnival before going into a vocal that feels slightly 1990’s in vibe.
King Princess continues to show off her soul and vocal abilities on Track 3. “Cheap Queen” has an affected vocal and a hooky melody throughout its run. It’s another chill track and still very memorable. This takes us to “Ain’t Together.” A guitar strums a simple chord progression, before the pop beat comes in. King Princess sings smoothly about having chemistry with someone, even exchanging “I love you’s” and acting like an item, but still not being an official pair. This seems to be a dilemma in her world and she can’t stop thinking about the lack of a title.
“Do You Want To See Me Crying?” is a trippy track that could fit in with the music of Frank Ocean and Tyler, The Creator. It runs under 2 minutes, with vocals not coming in until the minute mark. A guitar plays chords with a whammy bar effect. The note slides are not an easy thing to sing over but King Princess proves her talent again, and stays in key.
We get to “Homegirl” which feels slightly country and slightly like it’s from the 1950’s. It could perhaps be played on a radio station with the likes of Lana del Rey or gay-rising-star, Myylo. It’s the queer love song that we didn’t know we needed. My favorite lyrics are “And you taste like danger, but I feel so safe in your arms.” This song has a gallop to it and the vocals demand attention throughout the track. There is an authenticity to this track that makes it a standout on the record.
The pace is picked up slightly by the next track. “Prophet” brings listeners back to a more modern pop sound. It’s driven by an electric keyboard and beat that will make the listener sway. Vibes!
Next we get the chance to hear a well-played acoustic piano on “Isabel’s Moment” feat. Tobias Jesso Jr. This beautiful ballad seems to be about a breakup. It definitely carries the emotion of one.
The pace picks up again with “Trust Nobody.” Then dips down again for “Watching My Phone”, another heartbreak ballad. King Princess wears her heart on her sleeve, and is not afraid to expose her true emotions to the public. That’s proven on the trippy track “You Destroyed My Heart.” The record nears its end with “Hit The Back,” a poppy anthem, and suspected fan favorite. Cheap Queen’s finale is a slow jam with soft vocals titled “If You Think It’s Love.”
After listening to the new King Princess record, I could definitely say that it flows well from start to finish, follows a theme like all great albums, and shows off the young artists talent. It’s a treat to the ears, especially for her dedicated fan base. My personal favorite track on the record at the moment is “Homegirl.” Give the record a listen and tell us what yours is!
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/album/00uqjqwLruO346z3cNlNqG?si=K9DbVOGvTD-a4L6sEdpcZw
Mikaela Mullaney Straus, better known by King Princess is a 20 year old singer-songwriter, artist, and producer from Brooklyn, New York. She is signed to Mark Ronson’s label Zelig Records. Find Out More: https://www.kingprincessmusic.com/
About the Author:
Ryan Cassata is an award winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, writer and LGBTQ activist & motivational speaker based in Los Angeles. With features in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, The New York Times, Buzzfeed, and The Daily News, Ryan has made the most of his young career, which started when he was just 13.
As a musician with over 550 performances touring across the United States and internationally, including dates on the Van’s Warped Tour, SXSW and at the worlds biggest pride festivals, Ryan has been praised by The Advocate saying he’s a “Transgender singing sensation”, Paper Magazine put him on the “50 LGBTQ Musicians You Should Prioritize” list, LOGO put him on the “9 Trans Musicians You Need To Get Into” list and Billboard put him on the “11 Transgender & Non-Binary Musicians You Need to Know” list and premiered his most recent music video for “Daughter.” He has also been heard on Sirius XM Radio, BBC Radio 4 and other radio stations around the world. MORE INFO AT: http://www.ryancassata.com/
