To be honest - Christine and the Queens
Christine and the Queens tells a story of freedom, heartbreak & grief on 'To be honest'
Christine and the Queens has always been known for the expressionist nature of his music, with moments where you're left transfixed by the performance on stage. From performing at iconic venues like the Hammersmith Apollo to collaborating with legendary producers and artists like Madonna, his journey has been about finding freedom in the music. However, in the last few years, this journey was clouded by a story of heartbreak, exploration, and freedom that was thrown into a tailspin by grief.
The story of Chris, as he's popularly known, takes us through his journey of finding freedom while trying to control and tell his story. His late mother's sudden death in 2019 came in amongst his already started journey of gender and name changes. A storm of uncertainty that was enough to break anyone, let alone a person with as much emotion to give as Chris.
Last year, fans were expecting to learn the story of the chaos through an album that featured one song every day for two weeks. While it acted as a snapshot of where Chris's life was at, it didn't quite explain the full story. However, he always stated that it was a prologue for what's to come this year.
In the midst of this, Chris announced his fourth album, titled PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, produced at the beginning of 2021. The album features 20 tracks and is set to release on June 9th. To kick off the announcement, he released a brand new track titled "To be honest," which sets the tone for where we're at in 2023.
"To be honest" is a sublime track that's sincere, simple, and magnificent. The way it builds is so transfixing and sets the tone for an album that brings closure and peace to what has been a chaotic few years. The video for the track, where Chris dances on the beach amidst the waves, is an image that encapsulates the last few years for the artist, exhausted but ultimately hopeful.
Christine and the Queens' fourth album promises to take us through the journey of grief, transformation, and freedom that Chris has experienced in recent years. With the sublime music and collaboration with legendary producers and artists, this album is set to be a true masterpiece. "To be honest" is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see what else Chris has in store for us.