Powerhouse entertainer Todrick Hall is kicking off Pride Month with the release of his vibrant new album “Algorhythm”, out now via frtyfve/AWAL. The 80s-inspired new record features the singles ‘Breath’, ‘Dance Forever’, ‘Pre-Madonna’, plus the uplifting anthem ‘Gay Excellence’ and future floor-filler ‘Sorry Barbie’.
For such a colourful decade in music, the 80s were painfully short on out and proud LGBTQ artists in mainstream media. With “Algorhythm”, Todrick captures the pop nostalgia of the era and fills it with unapologetic messages of empowerment, Pride and inclusivity.
As one of the world’s most prominent LGBTQ+ entertainers, Todrick has self-sustained a multi-disciplined career anchored in music, with over 1.9 million monthly Spotify listeners. Chaka Khan, Brandy, RuPaul, Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Scherzinger, and Ciara are some of the stars who have jumped on his records. Consistently demonstrating his versatility as a singer-songwriter and performer, Todrick has blazed a path of his own by weaving together hip-hop, pop, house music, with his life-long love for musicals.
“Algorhythm” marks a new chapter in Todrick’s discography where he is leaning further into soulful vocal performances, as highlighted by the standout single ‘Breath’. The ‘Purple Rain’-inspired R&B power ballad delivers Todrick’s most spine-tingling and emotional performance yet. It is also the most vulnerable song the US star has ever written, inspired by a toxic relationship he couldn’t forget.
Todrick said: “Algorhythm is an 80s inspired record that while still being on brand with my most popular work, it reveals a side of my voice I have never accessed in my previous music. I want this album to get back to good traditional music, no gimmicks, no smoke and mirrors, just great music, beats and rhythms. My goal is not to create a replica of 80s music but an evolution of my music infused with 80s nostalgic instrumentation.”
The album is written by Todrick with Jeeve and Wiidope, the former having worked with Giorgio Moroder and Bruno Mars. Energetic synth-driven bangers like ‘Dance Forever’ and ‘Higher’ sound like MTV staples from the 80s, giving a nod to Todrick’s idols like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul.
Elsewhere, wistful pop ballads like ‘Tomorrow’ were made for late night drives in your DeLorean, while ‘Gay Excellence’ is a love letter to the queer community, a life-affirming reminder that it is Pride Month every month. It hears Todrick rap, “Blossom homo sapiens have bloomed for generations / phenomenally brilliant minds create interior designs / the lingo that they use is ours / we make the moves that make the stars / we photograph, we shape the hair / we make the gowns that divas wear / we fight the fight, we win the race / we paint the lips, we beat the face / our legacy’s no mystery, we leave our heels in history.”
3. Call You
4. Higher
5. Tomorrow
6. Sorry Barbie
7. Pre-Madonna
8. Breath
Todrick recently completed the first leg of his high-energy Femuline Tour, which spanned North America, Europe and the UK. You can watch the show, recorded live from the London Palladium, exclusively on Todrick’s YouTube channel on 2 June, 8pm GMT. Watch here.
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