Oh, RuPaul. How you never cease to amaze me. It's like every time we think that he can't do something fresh and new, he proves us wrong -- usually in the funnest way possible. In the down time from the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race it looks like he's put together a new album. This time, he's wanting you all to get in the Christmas spirit. Who cares if it's not even Halloween yet? Since when has Ru followed anybody's rules?
Now before you go jumping to any conclusions, Slay Belles is a fully fleshed out album. It isn't just some work slapped together with hot glue and duct tape. Listening through this piece, it's obvious that Ru took his time in crafting this work. Producer Lucian Piane is back, and notably so, as the music is very throwback to the first two albums that came out of Ru's revived RPDR career. It makes for a very fun romp through the holiday season.
What I love the most about the album is that it doesn't really feel like a Christmas album. Sure the lyrics are all about Xmas, bells, and snow, but it doesn't have that traditional holiday cheer backing to it, making it more of a pop album inspired by the holidays than anything else. I really feel like when pop singers do a holiday album, too often do they just make the same song over, but much like Aqua with their non-traiditon "Spin Me A Christmas", Slay Belles really separates itself from the norm. With tracks like "Jingle Dem Bells", it's obvious that it's not meant to be taken seriously as a lover of Christmas, but instead just enjoyed for what it is.
Slay Belles also comes packed with an impressive list of guest appearances. Ru invited previous besties Michelle Visage and Big Freedia, as well as other fun guests such as Markaholic, Ellis Miah, Siedah Garrett, and even Todrick Hall himself. Now if an album doesn't skyrocket in notoriety from having the king of Youtube music on it, I don't know what will. Also, let's not forget that Ru himself is a vocal powerhouse, too. I guess what I'm trying to say is, this may be the best Xmas album of all time.
No, really.
Then again I'm not much of a Christmas person.
You can get the album on iTunes now! Do it!
This review definitely makes me want to check this thing out :)
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