Chicago-based queer indie rock group Pinksqueeze has written a beautifully merged collection surrounding queer life, connection, and joy in their latest album, Be Gay Have Fun!
Exploring themes such as mental health, community, and healing this album is as complex as it is delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed every song of this 13-track release, but I was totally enraptured by ‘Holy Critter.’ Saying this song is wholesome or curative is just not enough, it is so much more that than. I cried out of sheer happiness after hearing a song I have needed since I was a kid. An acoustic hug delivered directly from the universe thanks to Pinksqueeze. If you need comfort, ‘Holy Critter’ is the track for you.
The next transformative anthem lies in the third track, ‘Queer for Clout.’ This song delves into the pain of having your identity and sexuality challenged and degraded and then transmuting that feeling into essential fuck you energy. Utilizing punk yelps and impressive guitar accompaniment, Pinksqueeze introduces a difficult topic but leaves the listener with an overriding wave of confidence by the end.
‘WTF is Bubblegrunge’ is a fun riot grrrl offering halfway through the album. While it’s the shortest track on Be Gay Have Fun!, it’s a gorgeously gritty analysis of the treatment, and often dismissal, of women and femmes in heavier music institutions and culture. The roaring vocals and rapid tempo made an irresistible combination and put this song on repeat for a much-needed afternoon pick-me-up.
Making our way toward the end of the album lies the vulnerable and lovely track, ‘Midday Midnight.’ Leading with soft vocals and steady, supportive instrumental backing, this song pulls at the heartstrings. As someone who experiences dissociation and being strictly homebound for the last 3 years, ‘Midday Midnight’ spoke to me on multiple levels. It also speaks for the collective trauma we all experienced during the pandemic in a profound and succinct way. If you’ve struggled through the last couple of years and are yearning for comradery and understanding, this is a song for you.
Overall, Be Gay Have Fun! is a queer album of true depth and captivation. Bravely traversing the pains and fully exalting in the joys, I adored every second of it. Teeming with authenticity and outrageous talent, Pinksqueeze is now a forever resident on my playlists. Make sure to check out their latest album and current Pride Month Fest tour for upcoming live show dates.
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