The Blonde & Pink Albums

The Blonde & Pink Albums
Studio album by
Trixie Mattel
ReleasedJune 24, 2022 (2022-06-24)
StudioGoldWave Studios
Genre
Length37:46
LabelProducer Entertainment Group
Producer
Trixie Mattel chronology
Full Coverage, Vol. 1
(2021) 		The Blonde & Pink Albums
(2022) 		Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous
(2023)
Singles from The Blonde & Pink Albums
  1. "Hello Hello"
    Released: November 12, 2021
  2. "This Town"
    Released: January 28, 2022
  3. "C'mon Loretta"
    Released: April 15, 2022
  4. "White Rabbit"
    Released: August 19, 2022

The Blonde & Pink Albums are a double album and collectively the fourth studio album by American drag queen and singer-songwriter Trixie Mattel,[1] released on June 24, 2022, by Producer Entertainment Group.[2] The album was promoted by the singles "Hello Hello", "This Town", and "C'mon Loretta" prior to release and includes collaborations with Shakey Graves and Michelle Branch.[3]

Composition

[edit]
Michelle Branch
Shakey Graves

The Blonde & Pink Albums primarily consist of power pop, pop rock, and alternative rock songs, a departure from her earlier country and folk style.[4][5][6] Many songs evoke new wave bands like Cheap Trick, Blondie, and The Romantics.[4] "Goner" is a "breezy, '90s-meets-'70s acoustic pop anthem" inspired by Sheryl Crow.[4] "Hello Hello" combines surf and garage rock and echoes the "addictive, shout-til-you drop hooks" of The Go-Go's.[7] Texas Monthly described "This Town" as "an aching tribute to the Wisconsin town that made her". The magazine said, "The song is both nostalgic for the simple pleasures of small-town life and a bittersweet reflection on the darker aspects of her hometown: the limited options, alcoholism, and abuse."[8] "C'mon Loretta" was described by MTV upon release as "a sun-soaked, buzzy rock jam similar to Trixie's recent singles",[9] while American Songwriter called it a "mind-melding homage tune" with "an early 2000s rocking feel in the vein of New York rockers The Strokes"[10] and Billboard called the concept "strange" but said the garage rock song was a "slam-dunk for Mattel".[11]

When interviewed by Out Mattel said that the two albums "aren't meant to be starkly different as much as they're meant to be companions. There aren't songs on one that couldn't belong on the other". On the albums including covers of songs by The Go-Go's and Cheap Trick, Mattel said she "had to" cover "Vacation" because she was "obsessed" with the band[12] and sought to reimagine it as "something a little more somber and reflective" after performing it as a ballad on tour; she decided to cover "I Want You to Want Me" on the album because Mattel and her producers had already used the song as a reference point for the production of many of the songs and she was told the song would sound great with her voice.[13]

Promotion

[edit]

Mattel released "Hello Hello" on November 12, 2021, as the lead single from The Blonde & Pink Albums.[14] The song's music video, directed by Mattel's frequent collaborator Assaad Yacoub with choreography by Laganja Estranja, was released on the same day[15] and went on to win a Queerty Award in the Indie Music Video category.[16] "This Town" featuring Shakey Graves followed as the second single on January 28, 2022[17] and received a music video directed by Matt Amato.[18][19][20] On April 8, 2022, Mattel announced the tracklist of the two sides of the album via social media;[21] a week later on April 15, 2022[22] "C'mon Loretta", inspired by the story of Loretta Lynn,[23] was released as the album's third single.[24] The music video, released the same day and also directed by Yacoub,[25] takes inspiration from Billie Jean King's 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" tennis victory against Bobby Riggs.[26] "Stay the Night" was featured in the trailer for Mattel's Discovery+ series Trixie Motel, released on May 4, 2022,[27] and was used as the series' opening theme; Mattel said that she wrote the song before the television deal had been struck but believed that a network would purchase the rights to it and wrote "Stay the Night" as the theme song.[28] On May 31, 2022, Mattel performed "This Town" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with Shakey Graves.[29] On June 6, 2022, Mattel published a video on her YouTube channel announcing the release of a mini merchandise box set in support of the album, featuring items including a lyric book, a press-on nails kit, a tote bag with the album cover printed on it and a "Hello Hello" keychain.[30] A music video for "White Rabbit" was released on August 17, 2022, again directed by Yacoub[31] and featuring Mattel as a "Playboy bunny, a bandleader, and a fashion model",[32] with the song being officially released as the album's fourth single two days later on August 19, 2022.[33]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]

AllMusic contributor Matt Collar wrote, "Part of Mattel's appeal is that while her drag style is often over-the-top high-concept glam, her music is charmingly straightforward and The Blonde & Pink Albums are hooky, sugar-coated pop fun".[4] Olivia McCormack, writing for The Washington Post, pointed out that the double album "highlights her new, sunny style" and that Mattel's music stands out among drag performers for "zeroing in on the importance of lyricism".[34]

Track listing

[edit]
The Blonde Album track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Goner"Brian FirkusNick Goldston2:36
2."Boyfriend"
  • Levy
  • Costanza
2:19
3."C'mon Loretta"
  • Levy
  • Firkus
  • Costanza
  • Levy
  • Costanza
2:53
4."Love You in HiFi"
  • Levy
  • Firkus
  • Costanza
  • Levy
  • Costanza
2:24
5."Hello Hello"
  • Levy
  • Firkus
  • Costanza
  • Levy
  • Costanza
2:36
6."I Want You to Want Me"Rick NielsenConstanza3:38
7."New Thing"
  • Levy
  • Firkus
  • Costanza
  • Levy
  • Costanza
2:11
The Pink Album track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."White Rabbit" (featuring Michelle Branch)
  • Firkus
  • Goldston
Goldston2:55
2."Stay the Night"
  • Levy
  • Firkus
  • Costanza
Constanza2:23
3."Who Loves You Baby"FirkusConstanza2:46
4."Girl of Your Dreams"
  • Levy
  • Firkus
  • Costanza
Constanza2:35
5."Wake Up"
  • Firkus
  • Goldston
Goldston2:44
6."This Town" (featuring Shakey Graves)FirkusGoldston2:48
7."Vacation"
Goldston2:58
Total length:37:46

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for The Blonde & Pink Albums
Chart (2022) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[35] 50
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[36] 17
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[37] 66

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Trixie Mattel drops new song featuring Shakey Graves before ACL live show". Austin360. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  2. ^ "Trixie Mattel - The Blonde & Pink Albums (CD)". Target. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  3. ^ "The Blonde & Pink Albums by Trixie Mattel". Tidal. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Collar, Matt. "Trixie Mattel - The Blonde & Pink Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "Trixie Mattel - The Blonde & Pink Albums". New Releases Now. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Moura, Rob (June 24, 2022). "PINK TURNS TO BLONDE: TRIXIE MATTEL ON THE DUAL NATURE OF HER NEW RECORDS". PopMatters. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Kirkland, Justin (November 12, 2021). "Trixie Mattel Has Gone Go-Go". Esquire. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  8. ^ "TM Recommends: An Austin Musician and a Drag Star Walk Into a Bar..." Texas Monthly. February 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "Bop Shop: Songs From Camila Cabello And Willow, Sophia Bel, Onew, And More". MTV. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Uitti, Jacob (April 15, 2022). "New Song Friday! Hear New Music From Trombone Shorty, Lizzo, Willie Nelson, Cardi B, Phoebe Bridgers, SAULT and More!". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Daw, Stephen. "New Pride Music: Phoebe Bridgers, Conan Gray & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  12. ^ Sim, Bernardo (June 24, 2022). "Trixie Mattel Talks 'The Blonde & Pink Albums' & Her Success in Music". Out. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Park, Kelly (June 24, 2022). "Trixie Mattel Breaks Down The Blonde & Pink Albums Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  14. ^ "Hello Hello - Single by Trixie Mattel". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  15. ^ "Trixie Mattel - Hello Hello (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Indie Music Video Nominees". The Queerties. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  17. ^ "This Town (feat. Shakey Graves) - Single by Trixie Mattel". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  18. ^ "Trixie Mattel - This Town feat. Shakey Graves (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  19. ^ "Trixie Mattel's "This Town" video captures the sweetness and darkness of rural Wisconsin". Milwaukee Record. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  20. ^ Anderson, Carys (January 27, 2022). "Trixie Mattel Shares the Origins of Nostalgic New Shakey Graves Collab "This Town": Exclusive". Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  21. ^ "@trixiemattel on Twitter: "14 songs, 2 features, 1 incredibly thin supermodel. The Blonde & Pink Albums drop this summer!"". Twitter. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  22. ^ "C;mon Loretta - Single by Trixie Mattel". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  23. ^ Freeman, Jon (April 15, 2022). "Trixie Mattel Silences a Tennis Foe in 'C'mon Loretta' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  24. ^ Rowley, Glenn (April 15, 2022). "Trixie Mattel Serves Up New Single "C'mon Loretta": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Trixie Mattel - C'mon Loretta (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Dodson, P. Claire (April 15, 2022). "Lizzo, SEVENTEEN, Phoebe Bridgers: This Week's Best New Music". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "Trixie Motel - Official Trailer - discovery+". YouTube. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  28. ^ "@TrixieMattel - "did you hear me in the opening titles ?? @trixiemotel is streaming now on @discoveryplus"". Twitter. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  29. ^ Bouza, Kat (June 2022). "Trixie Mattel Teams With Shakey Graves for 'This Town' on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "Unboxing My New Blonde & Pink Album Merch - Dropping June 24!". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  31. ^ "Trixie Mattel - White Rabbit (feat. @Michelle Branch) [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  32. ^ Freeman, Jon (August 17, 2022). "Trixie Mattel Becomes a Playboy Bunny in 'White Rabbit' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  33. ^ "White Rabbit (feat. Michelle Branch) - Single by Trixie Mattel". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  34. ^ McCormack, Olivia. "For Trixie Mattel, drag is an art form. It's also her empire". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  35. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  36. ^ "Trixie Mattel Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  37. ^ "Trixie Mattel Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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