Iconic global pop artist and award-winning songwriter Darren Hayes is today sharing another hit of addictive synth pop with 'All You Pretty Things'. . . Taken from the upcoming, just announced new album 'Homosexual'.
'Homosexual' is Darren's first album in ten years, out this October.
“I named my album ‘Homosexual’ for a variety of reasons. The most obvious, is that I’m a gay man who grew up in an era when that word was used to shame and vilify people like me, so I wanted to reclaim it,” Darren says.
“I’m also a recording artist who came up in an era where being openly gay was frowned upon and I experienced first hand, the attempted erasure of my true identity from the marketing department of a major record label.
“But perhaps the most important reason I chose this title is that in 2022, I’m living in a time and in a country where the freedoms of LGBTQI+ people are more at risk than they’ve ever been. Moments like the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Florida, or the constant attacks on trans people, have made it clear to me that now is the time to be as loud as possible about who I am.”
The new single 'All You Pretty Things' is a tribute to queer pioneers who have influenced Darren's life and music, as well as a celebration of the activists who have fought – and continue to fight – for the freedom he enjoys today.
It's written and produced entirely by Darren – a queer dancefloor anthem dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in 2016. Sonically, 'All You Pretty Things' gets its influence from the likes of Patrick Cowley, Daft Punk and Madonna.
A driving force behind the new album is Darren's renewed strength and confidence, something he's gained and embraced from being a part of the queer community.
“On the front cover of my album, I’m proudly lounging upon my version of a stairway to heaven. Emblazoned across me, in the brightest hot pink neon, is a word the 11-year-old me used to be terrified of,” Darren says.
“I lounge proudly underneath the electric buzz of this symbol, this term that used to be used to denigrate people like me. Now it’s my word. Now it means whatever I want it to mean. If you haven’t worked it out yet, I think it means something magical, amazing, unique and essential.
“My name is Darren Hayes. And I’m a proud 'Homosexual'.”
'All You Pretty Things' is out now. 'Homosexual' is released 7 October.
Darren Hayes 2023 Tour Dates
Tue 31 Jan - RAC Arena (Perth)Sat 4 Feb - Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Melbourne)
Tue 7 Feb - Aware Super Theatre (Sydney)
Wed 8 Feb - Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Sat 11 Feb - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sun 12 Feb - Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
This story originally appeared on our queer sister site, FROOTY.
