Adore Delano LLC
Pop Rock, 2017

Adore Delano didn’t have a good 2017. She sued her producer for those people allegedly paying her far less than she was supposed to receive, and then there was that embarrassing flop of a stint in RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars. Mind you, the latter is likely to be a blessing in disguise, considering the levels of self-parody the show has sunk into. Furthermore, she still doesn’t get any respect that she feels she deserved. So, can you blame the poor dear when she flicks her unwashed wig in disgust and say Whatever?

Yes, that’s right, Ms Delano has decided to reinvent herself, to showcase her “true artistry” by releasing an album full of radio-friendly tunes containing elements of grunge, heavy metal, and punk. A reinvention into a queer punk icon isn’t a bad move, really, but come on, we have all seen her in action and “tough riot grrl” isn’t something that comes to mind when one thinks of Adore Delano. The same element of sulky petulance that made her previous outings so much fun in a bubbly, vapid way now just seems… well, petulant in an attractive way. The way she growls about how she is now free to do whatever she wants, et cetera is too much like the antics of a sulky brat who has just been grounded by her parents.

Mind you, there is nothing particularly awful about the tracks here. They are all serviceable in a “that rock cover band you hire to sing at your wedding” way. At the same time, there is nothing here that feels genuine – Whatever is like a well-polished effort of someone who tries very hard to emulate the real deal.

Adore Delano, please come back and party.