album Kim Petras - 'Problématique'

[Freaky Prince]

It’s listed as a studio album on Wikipedia 

[nathanspears]

You're all doing too much for this. It's... fine. Many of the songs sound the same and it's a bit boring. Feed the Beast >>>>>>

 

Sorry!

Edited September 19, 2023 by nathanspears

[Daddy]

Era 1 - mixtape

TOTL - mixtape

Clarity - album 1 

Feed The Beast - album 2

Problematique - album 3

 

for me. 

[Boysdontcry]

21 minutes ago, DevinWylde said:

I see Era 1 (I refuse to call it that ugly title)

 I don't know why people refer to it as that. It was pulled from streaming before it could even hit European & American markets.

 

To me,

ERA 1 is just singles.

Clarity - mixtape

Turn Off The Light - mixtape

S Pop - EP/mixtape

Feed The Beast - Album 1

Problematique - Album 2

[campelo]

It was intended to be release as a compilation with that name, it's the closest we have as the official title opposed to Era 1 

[#Beautiful]

14 minutes ago, Freaky Prince said:

It’s listed as a studio album on Wikipedia 

it technically is because its released under republic. so instead of it being her 1st big label album release, it was her............ second, 3 months after the first one 

[#Beautiful]

to me they're all albums era 1 included

[P!NK2LOVE]

Era 1 is just a compilation. 
TOTL started as an EP; she released pt. 2 as another EP but then just joined them together as an ‘album’. 
I also view Clarity as her debut. 
FTB is an embarrassment 

Problematique is a serve 

 

The end!

[Alex]

Here's all my thoughts put into a review

 

Honestly, it’s a miracle that Kim was able to get this album released to the public with most of the intended album tracks and its original photography. It goes without saying that it would’ve been too logical to just release this album as anticipated back in 2021 but, we’re finally here.

A quick recap if you don't recall.

Kim Petras is a prime example of record label interference getting in the way of what both Kim's target audience and the audience she's trying to appeal to essentially want from her. That being, good quality pop music. I could go further into who Kim associates with and how far she's willing to go to achieve her dreams of being a true pop star, but if you're already a frequent listener, I'm sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Kim signed to Republic Records in 2021, with this album that you're listening to already completed and just in need of some expensive Steven Klein album cover shoot budget that Kim couldn't cough up independently.

However, the album leaked sometime in 2021 and Kim was sent back to the drawing board, along with the album that she was told was "amazing" by the label when she signed on. Fast forward to Kim's most recent effort, 'Feed The Beast', which was her "official" debut studio album, released by Republic Records this past June. The project was a clunky and directionless compilation with a few essential tracks from this album (Hit It From The Back, Revelations, Coconuts) being cherrypicked from this album onto that one. From the SOPHIE sample-pack failed abortion that was "Brrr" and the Nicki Minaj-assisted, presumed TikTok hit-to-be that spiralled into catastrophe "Alone". The album campaign was so nonsensical you can only assume her team was throwing darts at a board blindfolded in hopes that something would stick. Unfortunately for everyone involved, nothing did. Which brings us back to the present day. Now that both projects are out for the world to hear, it's clear to see what Kim's vision was with her debut album versus what her label wanted her to follow.

 

The result? 'Problématique' is Kim Petras’ passion project that is an ode to Europop, French House and Nu-Disco, which is almost exactly what the sonic wave was back in 2020-2021. It’s refreshing to hear Kim actually feel like she wants to sing the songs she’s given us, with this album feeling like there is an actual heartbeat beating behind it. Sonically, there's no second doubt about what this album wants to be, Kim gives it to us on a silver platter for the entire 30 minutes. We finally get to hear career highlights like "All She Wants" which boasts a Paris Hilton feature that ties back to Kim's very first single where Paris made a cameo in the music video. Then there's the infamous title track, slick guitar line standout "Born Again" and my personal favourite cut "Deeper," which boasts one of Kim's best vocal performances over a midtempo sultry and almost melancholic instrumental. It's clear to see why pop stans chose to invest in Kim Petras after hearing this album. It's cute, straightforward pop with attitude and stellar production.

 

However, it's not all celebratory feelings as disappointment arises in a few choices regarding its release and timing. For starters, there seems to be an underlying sense of Kim's label just tossing the album out in order to drive more revenue to her struggling upcoming tour. Rumours circulated a few months ago that the album would indeed be seeing an official release, but not because of the music itself. Rather the alleged justification of why Republic greenlit the release boils down to the fact that the photography of the album photoshoot, recall Steven Klein, aka big budget, was too pricey to simply dispose of. Although this may seem like nitpicking to some, it's a bit worrying knowing that Kim's team still doesn't have their priorities in check for her career, focus on the music!

 

Of course, I can't forget to mention the cries of multiple fans regarding the missing album tracks. As previously mentioned, we know a few album staples ended up on Feed The Beast, but there are still a few lost tracks that surprisingly are absent from this final tracklisting. Most notably, the album's original lead single and mission statement "Future Starts Now." The track received a fancy music video (which is already very here and there for Kim) of Kim partying in the Eiffel Tower but its exclusion seems to be the biggest mystery as it fits on the album like a glove, and it's already been released so why not just tack it on? Other leaked tracks such as "Your Turn To Cry" and "Left My Body" didn't make the final cut either but personally, I find that they are less essential to most songs on the album.

 

Regardless, the album *can* feel picked apart in its final form for the fans who have been following this era closely for the past two years. You have Kim perform Future Starts Now, Coconuts and Hit It From The Back at the VMAs/EMAs for one album just to remove them and pretend they're for another album rollout. The final offering can be "fixed" with a fanmade playlist boasting a complete edition of the album, but you're left wondering why they didn't just go the extra mile and give us everything on the same album as it was intended to be. At the same time, there's a possible reality where we could've never gotten this album either so I guess it's time to accept the small victories as they come.

 

Problématique is Kim Petras' true major label debut album, albeit somewhat skimmed down from its original conception, but its a victory nonetheless to both Kim and the fans who have been waiting for this to hit their Spotify accounts since the summer of 2021.

 

Spoiler

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/dangerousalex/album/745372-problematique/ 

[Bubble Tea]

I really couldn't care less about how y'all classify her albums but she definitely has an ecclectic style of releasing. I do loathe singles without albums though it has to be said, poor "Malibu," "The Future Starts Now" and "If Jesus Was a Rockstar."  Gaw jus tracks without a home.

 

Y'all did too much for IJWAR, literally a beautiful touching song. I fear the "Max Martin produced" teasers got everyone a biT overly hyped. 

[Bubble Tea]

3 minutes ago, dangerousalex said:

the alleged justification of why Republic greenlit the release boils down to the fact that the photography of the album photoshoot, recall Steven Klein, aka big budget, was too pricey to simply dispose of. Although this may seem like nitpicking to some, it's a bit worrying knowing that Kim's team still doesn't have their priorities in check for her career, focus on the music!

Great review, kinda all known stuff for me. However this bit - where has this justification been "alleged"? It's just a fan theory trying to understand how this tease came about. Certainly it makes good sense, why shelf finished music and a high end photo shoot? But alas, I don't think we have any evidence that this photo shoot is what they're worried about utilising over the music, no?

[Freaky Prince]

They arent selling any physicals, so I doubt they are doing this to “pay off” the photo shoot 

[Whis]

The way they put CRACK into Dirty Things 

[unino]

releasing this might be her best decision in years.

[P!nk]

Her voice on Dirty Things is heavenly.

 

[#Beautiful]

33 minutes ago, dangerousalex said:

Here's all From the SOPHIE sample-pack failed abortion that was "Brrr" and the Nicki Minaj-assisted, presumed TikTok hit-to-be that spiralled into catastrophe "Alone"

had to stop reading to have a LAUGH FJISDJFDSJFIIDS

 

[#Beautiful]

37 minutes ago, dangerousalex said:

Here's all my thoughts put into a review

 

Honestly, it’s a miracle that Kim was able to get this album released to the public with most of the intended album tracks and its original photography. It goes without saying that it would’ve been too logical to just release this album as anticipated back in 2021 but, we’re finally here.

A quick recap if you don't recall.

Kim Petras is a prime example of record label interference getting in the way of what both Kim's target audience and the audience she's trying to appeal to essentially want from her. That being, good quality pop music. I could go further into who Kim associates with and how far she's willing to go to achieve her dreams of being a true pop star, but if you're already a frequent listener, I'm sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Kim signed to Republic Records in 2021, with this album that you're listening to already completed and just in need of some expensive Steven Klein album cover shoot budget that Kim couldn't cough up independently.

However, the album leaked sometime in 2021 and Kim was sent back to the drawing board, along with the album that she was told was "amazing" by the label when she signed on. Fast forward to Kim's most recent effort, 'Feed The Beast', which was her "official" debut studio album, released by Republic Records this past June. The project was a clunky and directionless compilation with a few essential tracks from this album (Hit It From The Back, Revelations, Coconuts) being cherrypicked from this album onto that one. From the SOPHIE sample-pack failed abortion that was "Brrr" and the Nicki Minaj-assisted, presumed TikTok hit-to-be that spiralled into catastrophe "Alone". The album campaign was so nonsensical you can only assume her team was throwing darts at a board blindfolded in hopes that something would stick. Unfortunately for everyone involved, nothing did. Which brings us back to the present day. Now that both projects are out for the world to hear, it's clear to see what Kim's vision was with her debut album versus what her label wanted her to follow.

 

The result? 'Problématique' is Kim Petras’ passion project that is an ode to Europop, French House and Nu-Disco, which is almost exactly what the sonic wave was back in 2020-2021. It’s refreshing to hear Kim actually feel like she wants to sing the songs she’s given us, with this album feeling like there is an actual heartbeat beating behind it. Sonically, there's no second doubt about what this album wants to be, Kim gives it to us on a silver platter for the entire 30 minutes. We finally get to hear career highlights like "All She Wants" which boasts a Paris Hilton feature that ties back to Kim's very first single where Paris made a cameo in the music video. Then there's the infamous title track, slick guitar line standout "Born Again" and my personal favourite cut "Deeper," which boasts one of Kim's best vocal performances over a midtempo sultry and almost melancholic instrumental. It's clear to see why pop stans chose to invest in Kim Petras after hearing this album. It's cute, straightforward pop with attitude and stellar production.

 

However, it's not all celebratory feelings as disappointment arises in a few choices regarding its release and timing. For starters, there seems to be an underlying sense of Kim's label just tossing the album out in order to drive more revenue to her struggling upcoming tour. Rumours circulated a few months ago that the album would indeed be seeing an official release, but not because of the music itself. Rather the alleged justification of why Republic greenlit the release boils down to the fact that the photography of the album photoshoot, recall Steven Klein, aka big budget, was too pricey to simply dispose of. Although this may seem like nitpicking to some, it's a bit worrying knowing that Kim's team still doesn't have their priorities in check for her career, focus on the music!

 

Of course, I can't forget to mention the cries of multiple fans regarding the missing album tracks. As previously mentioned, we know a few album staples ended up on Feed The Beast, but there are still a few lost tracks that surprisingly are absent from this final tracklisting. Most notably, the album's original lead single and mission statement "Future Starts Now." The track received a fancy music video (which is already very here and there for Kim) of Kim partying in the Eiffel Tower but its exclusion seems to be the biggest mystery as it fits on the album like a glove, and it's already been released so why not just tack it on? Other leaked tracks such as "Your Turn To Cry" and "Left My Body" didn't make the final cut either but personally, I find that they are less essential to most songs on the album.

 

Regardless, the album *can* feel picked apart in its final form for the fans who have been following this era closely for the past two years. You have Kim perform Future Starts Now, Coconuts and Hit It From The Back at the VMAs/EMAs for one album just to remove them and pretend they're for another album rollout. The final offering can be "fixed" with a fanmade playlist boasting a complete edition of the album, but you're left wondering why they didn't just go the extra mile and give us everything on the same album as it was intended to be. At the same time, there's a possible reality where we could've never gotten this album either so I guess it's time to accept the small victories as they come.

 

Problématique is Kim Petras' true major label debut album, albeit somewhat skimmed down from its original conception, but its a victory nonetheless to both Kim and the fans who have been waiting for this to hit their Spotify accounts since the summer of 2021.

 

  Hide contents

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/dangerousalex/album/745372-problematique/ 

[#Beautiful]

listened to my final version of the album with my airpods after finding the lossless your turn to cry as well and i have to say, this is so well produced. its heaven. if only it wouldve came out after slt pop shortly after like it was originally planned. better late than never but the music deserved better. at the end of the day we got the tracks finished and in hq + the artwork

[TrueBlood]

The definitive tracklist, you’re welcome.

 

01. Problématique

02. Future Starts Now

03. Revelations

04. All She Wants

05. Coconuts

06. Born Again

07. Deeper

08. Dirty Things

09. Sex Talk

10. Je t‘adore

11. Something About U

12. Hit It from the Back

13. Confession

14. Love Ya Leave Ya

15. Ur Turn to Cry

 

WHEW, a debut album. This way Feed the Beast could have been a decent follow up with some of the unreleased tracks (like Lolita and Try Again) replacing the Problématique tracks. 

[Solgayleo]

With the best tracks having been poached for FTB, there is not much left to write home about here. The production is incredible (grudgingly giving props to Luke) and is the only redeeming aspect of most of the songs, but the songwriting is so uninspired. The songs are nearly indistinguishable from each other and all sound like they were written in 30 minutes. Someone needs to tell Kim that repetition doesn’t inherently make a song catchy

[Bencharmer]

I was happy she scrapped that project and i'm still convinced it's not very good.

 

It sounds like dated europop music with everything clichés about it (the blond girl naming brands, cheap Daft Punk effects, heavily sexual references...)

 

Nothing about this projet feels fresh...

[wantedyoutogrow]

I'm kinda obsessed with Je t'adore, like i gotta give her her 10's

[Mke1979]

The only songs from here I like and think should have been on Feed The Beast album is All She Wants and Love Ya Leave Ya. 
 

Your Time To Cry not on here is a crime! 
 

[BMURDA617]

6 minutes ago, wantedyoutogrow said:

I'm kinda obsessed with Je t'adore, like i gotta give her her 10's

Honestly the only song on this that’s on REPEAT

[BMURDA617]

Show me the BAGUETTE.