Nostalgia Alternative

Written by Alex Enigma – April 28, 2024

Writing when uninspired is a nearly impossible task. My passion for it has been dead for some time now. Many artists have tried and failed to ignite this feeling in me. Only the sound of a monumental, mind-blowing record like Slayyyter’s STARFUCKER could bring me back to life again, and force my hand to the keyboard, to tell others about why it is so f*cking incredible.

From the first time I heard the first single ahead of the album’s release- I knew Slayyyter had entered her ’80’s era’ in the best way.

For the uninitiated, Slayyyter is considered a hyperpop artist, with her earliest release playing on the ‘it girl’ and ‘y2k’ tropes like leaked sex tapes on TMZ and partying at the Playboy mansion. This tracks with some of the pop divas & stars she cites as inspiration, such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Heidi Montag. The album cover even features her sprawled on a hot pink tanning bed, showing a tramp stamp of her own name, and flowing platinum blonde hair. I think the Girls Next Door would approve.

Her first full-length album, Troubled Paradise, took on a harder edge on tracks like the opener ‘Self-Destruct’, but overall kept the same hyperpop sensibility as her debut mixtape, with cleaner production. It showed her growth as a songwriter, and solidified Slayyyter as a figure in non-mainstream electronic & pop music.

I have been a fan of hers since I first heard the collaboration with Ayesha Erotica, ‘BFF’. I love the gratuitous early 2000’s references and the fast-paced, bubble gum hyperpop that is her earlier work. I would have been content for her to continue making this kind of music forever. But, as someone obsessed with 80’s aesthetics and dark synths, I am absolutely over the moon with the sharp change in direction she took on STARFUCKER.

Going back to that first single I mentioned, “Out of Time” is a synth-pop stunner, with lyrics that tell the story of a modern, club-going Cinderella. She’s on top of the world, desired by all, dancing the night away- but when the bar says ‘last call’ and the lights go on- the fantasy is over and the magic is gone. She’s out of time. From the first time I heard it, it spoke to something deep in my 80’s new wave heart, with its nostalgic, beautiful synth melody, and the story of a girl who lives for the escape of dance clubs, and being someone else for a night. Needless to say it is my favorite track on the album, and got me so excited about the possibility of 80’s synth-pop making a comeback in conjunction with catchy, slay hyperpop.

STARFUCKER opens with the ironic, tongue-in-cheek “I Love Hollywood!”. It is a thumping dance track, with fun dialogue samples such as “I’ve never done drugs in my life.” “You’re doing coke right now”. Slayyyter tells us how she really feels about the fakeness that is commonplace in Hollywood, but she does it in a loving way. It’s a hot mess and everyone lies to make themselves seem superior, but it’s also a big party and so fun to get caught up in.

“Miss Belladonna” is some heavily Madonna-inspired nostalgia-pop, that tells of a femme fatal who just wants to have fun and doesn’t care who gets hurt. It is upbeat and danceable, while talking about taking advantage of an unassuming man and looking good while doing it. Don’t worry though- he loves every minute of it.

Among other 80’s films, Slayyyter cited Blue Velvet as one of her inspirations for the themes on STARFUCKER. This is apparent on the next track “Dramatic”. This is where the ’80’s opulence’ comes in to play too. It’s the story of a forbidden romance, full of sexy taboos, and it all takes place in an ‘art deco million dollar mansion’. It’s classy yet raunchy. It reeks of frosted glass, leather furniture, and tying up your lover with a corded phone. Slayyyter has created her own, sensual neo-noir film in a 3 minute song.

I would be absolutely remiss if I did not mention the beautiful and anthemic, “Memories of You”. Taking a small step back from her 80’s vibe for the moment, Slayyyter gives us a more recent dose of nostalgia here, with a sound reminiscent of early 2010’s EDM-laden pop. Maybe it sounds crazy to be nostalgic for an era that happened so recently, but hey- that’s what this blog is all about. The early 2010’s has become known as a microcosm of pop, when DJs like David Guetta, Zedd, and Afrojack ruled the charts. Some have even said that “Memories of You” reminds them of Zedd’s “Clarity”. With melancholic lyrics, but an upbeat melody, and that quintessential bass drop- this song fits right in with any DJ’s nightclub set circa 2013.

Moving back to that 80’s-inspired sound again, but making it darker and more aggressive- “Erotic Electronic” cranks up the heat so high we all want to get naked. Short and sweet, Slayyyter knows what she wants and she wants it now. Dancing close in a latex dress, with things getting hot & heavy, it feels like a natural progression from the seductive 80’s synth-pop of Depeche Mode, with a more modern club beat. The cover art for the single also has an 80’s reference, to the film Body Double, which she also cited as an inspiration for the album.

Two highlights on the back half of the record are the certifiable gay club bangers “Purr” and “Plastic”. The lyrics take a turn from the serious themes for a moment, to the wild & camp, “drugs make this kitty go purr” and “brand new tits”. In some ways it is a callback to Slayyyter’s early hyperpop days, but the sound and production are leagues above her older work. It is clear Slayyyter doesn’t take herself too seriously, and she knows her audience doesn’t either. She can do deep and meaningful, and vapid and fun at the same time. That duality is precisely why I love STARFUCKER so much.

Before we’re “Out of Time”, something has to be said for the sole, slow ballad on the album “Tear Me Open”. Slayyyter mentioned that she took inspiration from modern darkwave groups like Boy Harsher, and that is most obvious on this song. The somber synth melody matches the energy of the yearning, masochistic lyrics- longing to be with someone, even if you know they’re going to hurt you. It is devastatingly beautiful and vulnerable, and speaks to the darker parts of our hearts we usually keep hidden.

STARFUCKER is so many things- 80’s nostalgia, dark synths, club bangers, beautiful ballads… It is an immersive, decadent escape from the ordinary and mundane world we live in. Slayyyter captures the best of 80’s opulence and depravity, but makes it something completely unique and her own. There isn’t another album out there that sounds like STARFUCKER, and that is a damn shame. I am hopeful though that Slayyyter will continue to hone this nostalgic, dark-synth brand of hyperpop, and I am so excited to see more from her.

I was fortunate enough to see Slayyyter perform all of the album live on her Club Valentine tour, playing a sold out show for the House of Blues, Chicago. Needless to say it sounded just as incredible live as on the record, and she really knows how to put on a show.

Thank you for reading, and be sure to check out all of STARFUCKER (and its three bonus tracks) wherever you stream / buy your music!