2019 EP by Divina de Campo
Decoded is the debut EP by Divina de Campo. It was released by PEG Records on 29 November 2019. Divina de Campo is the stage name of Owen Farrow, a British drag performer who competed in the first series of "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" (2019). The EP consists of six songs, which were written by Tomas Costanza, Paul Coultrup, Farrow, and Ashley Levy. "A Drag Race Song" and "Gratify" were released as singles and received music videos as well as remixes. "Decoded" received positive reviews from music critics.
Composition and lyrics.
Approximately 18 minutes long, "Decoded" has six tracks, with them being performed by Divina de Campo (the stage name of British drag queen Owen Richard Farrow) and written by Tomas Costanza, Paul Coultrup, Farrow, and Ashley Levy.
"A Drag Race Song" parodies music released by previous "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestants. Divina de Campo described it as a "tongue-in-cheek poke at everybody", and "Attitude" called the song a "catchy pop tune" that showcases her "high soprano and 4-octave range". The song's lyrics mention fellow "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" contestants Blu Hydrangea, Crystal, Gothy Kendoll, Scardey Kat and The Vivienne, and suggest Divina de Campo feels disliked by "Drag Race" judge Michelle Visage.
"Gratify" was described by Sam Damshenas of "Gay Times" as an "operatic dance anthem" and by "Out in Jersey"'s Michael Cook as a "dance stomper". Divina de Campo said of the song: "Lyrically, it's that desire to give people exactly what they want. Musically, it's a mixture of what my career has been up until this point; classical and mainstream pop work. It's quite personal, but also not that personal!" Damshenas called "Pocket Rocket Princess" a "pop anthem", while Cook described "Down with You" as a "dance floor bopper showing definite influences" of Blondie and the Scissor Sisters.
Release and promotion.
"Decoded" was released on 29 November 2019, following the release of "A Drag Race Song" as the lead single on 22 November. In April 2020, Divina de Campo included the song on her "self-isolation playlist" published by "Billboard Pride". A 12" format of "Decoded" was released for Record Store Day in 2020. The "SIBS Music Remix" of "A Drag Race Song" was released on 15 May 2020, and the "Gratify" EP featuring the original track and three remixes was released on 26 June.
The music video for "A Drag Race song" was released on 4 December 2019, coinciding with the airing of the final episode of the first series of "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" in the United States. The visual has features from "Drag Race" and music videos released by other contestants, and sees Divina de Campo "spinning them into a fourth-wall breaking extravaganza, as she constantly changes outfits and even seems to [mimic] well-worn lip sync dance moves from the show". She showcases multiple looks, including one in which she has an orange beard and hairy armpits, and wears various red wigs. Damshenas described the video as "hilarious", and said that it "pays tribute to camp, burlesque, femme and punk performers".
"Gratify" served as the single from the EP and received a music video as well. Damshenas said the video "serves superhero-realness" with fashion inspired by Elizabeth I and has a "sickening squad" of dancers from the House of Suarez vogueing. He called the "eerie" visual "one of the fiercest (and batshit crazy) music videos of the year".
Critical reception.
"Decoded" was met with positive reviews from music critics and "Drag Race" fans, according to Damshenas, who described "A Drag Race Song" as "hilarious" and "Gratify" as "infectious". "Billboard"'s Stephen Daw also called the former track "hilarious". Cook said "A Drag Race Song" has all the characteristics of a "quintessential" "Drag Race" song and complimented Divina de Campo's "growling and impressive" vocal performance. He said the EP "turns the standard "Drag Race" competitor albums on their ears" and showcases the drag queen's versatility as a singer. Cook called "Validation" an "electronica gem" and considered "Down with You" the EP's best song.
Track listing.
Track listing adapted from AllMusic and the Apple Music
References.
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