★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
DISCLAIMER: fashionably late to the party.
German singer-songwriter Kim Petras has been rightfully experiencing a breakout, critically acclaimed 2018. The young artist followed vapid yet addictive, Dr. Luke-produced “I Don’t Want It At All” with the equally as impressive “Heart To Break” this year. The latter song helped the artist achieve her highest position to date on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. Petras has also been enjoying an opening act stint on Troye Sivan’s high-energy Bloom tour.
To further capitalize on the recent hot streak, tide fans over until the release of a proper debut album, and embrace the Halloween season, Petras released a collection of spook-inspired tracks earlier this month. The appropriately titled Turn Off the Lights, Vol. 1 features four mostly instrumental tracks, alongside four cleverly crafted pop tunes, one featuring the Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira.
The new extended play highlights Petra’s carefree approach to pop music, pushing a fun sensibility to the forefront, while also displaying a talent for songwriting and creating a thriving dance environment.
Following the eerie, serial killer theme track “o m e n”, Petras dives head first into “Close Your Eyes”, a synth-driven warning to potential suitors about getting too close for comfort. Petras plays the role of a sinister lover with ulterior motives. Possessed by a hungry beast, as she admits to wanting to take a chunk of flesh with her as she departs, the artist speaks of the horrors one would experience when having sex with her.
Title track "Turn Off the Light" continues the themes of cautioned sensuality and sexuality. Walking the thin line between pain and pleasure, darkness and enlightenment, Petras sings of embracing fear and taking risks. “Midnight under moonlight, chills down your spine, fear in your eyes, feelin' malicious, heard you like it vicious, all your dirty wishes, we were made to do it,” she playfully sings on the opening verse, before Elvira tackles the spoken word bridge, a la Vincent Price.
“i don’t wanna die” is drenched in synth-perfection, setting up the story for “In The Next Life” as Petras comes to terms with the evil force that she truly is. After setting her lovers’ heart on fire, devouring every piece, the artist appears to find herself in the pits of hell, content with her choices. “First time in my life, I'm not afraid, first time I remember feeling anything, anything,” she belts on the chorus while unleashing a violent second verse in her native German tongue.
The project closes out with “Boo! Bitch!”, an instrumental extension of the previous effort. It closes the dark chapter book with an infectious outlook, a similar experience as to when Michael Jackson looks back at the camera in “Thriller” with glowing yellow eyes. Who's ready for the sequel?
Turn Off the Light, Vol. 1 is a fun project, despite the gory subject matter embedded into the proper lyrical tracks. Petras is enjoying her demented rollercoaster ride, leaving desecrated bodies behind, while showcasing sharp, imaginative pop songwriting skills alongside Dr. Luke and rising star Jesse Saint John. While the Halloween-appropriate tone and subject matter are definite highlights, what makes the extended play, and Petras’ career for that matter, stand out the most is the effortlessness that encompasses it all. Not since Lady Gaga’s debut, have we seen an artist so comfortable with their artistry and image, someone just being their authentic self. All featured tracks are knockouts, further paving a road for super stardom once that debut album arrives.
Tracks to Hear: "Close Your Eyes", "Turn Off the Light" feat. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and "In the Next Life"
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