Heterosexuality

Shamir is an artist whos always uncovering new territory -- and on Heterosexuality, its different parts of himself. Ever since he left behind the mainstream success he stumbled into almost accidentally with his debut album, Ratchet, hes dedicated himself to creating the musical space he needs to express himself to the fullest. On his eighth album, he addresses the trauma hes experienced as a non-binary person of color living with bipolar disorder more directly than ever before. Self-released by Shamir -- another sign of his need for musical freedom -- Heterosexuality trades some of his previous albums 90s punk and grunge influences for subversively eclectic pop produced with the help of Strange Ranger member Hollow Comet. Shamir sounds equally at home on "Gay Agenda," where his need to be "livin free" is backed by massive, distorted beats and synths reminiscent of Arca or serpentwithfeet, as he did on his country-tinged album Be the Yee, Here Comes the Haw. On each of Heterosexualitys tracks, he defies being easily categorized by the issues outlined on the big-picture song titles, bringing different colors to his unrepentant honesty. His need to live outside of boxes and labels is particularly poignant when he sings "I dont know how to make you comfortable" over "Cisgender"s densely beautiful shoegaze. On the standout "Abomination," he reclaims some of Ratchets cheeky wordplay and rapping, spitting "burn it all down/and release the kraken" over a seething industrial backdrop. Hes too happily independent to give himself completely to someone else on "Marriage"s strutting R&B, while "Cold Brew"s crystalline alt-pop reflects his emotional clarity. Heterosexualitys quick-shifting moods and sounds keep the album refreshingly unpredictable, veering from "Father"s hushed confessions to "Nuclear," a breezy 21st century update on Burt Bacharachs loungy pop. While its seeming contradictions make it a slightly more challenging listen than Shamir was, Heterosexuality acknowledges how complicated just existing can be with the wit, creativity, and unguarded emotions that have been a vital part of Shamirs music since the beginning. ~ Heather Phares