Ground-breaking sapphic icon – known for hits like and , alongside collabs with “lesbian Jesus” – reveals in latest single ‘Boy’ that she kissed a boy and liked it.

This came , and was perceived as another blow to LGBT representation in the music industry (with queer icon also her relationship with a man.)

FLETCHER sings that whilst she doesn’t know “how to label it”, she is embracing her feelings and “following [her] heart.” Seeming to pre-empt negative reactions, she follows on with “I’m scared to think of what you’ll think of me.” 

Her decision to release ‘Boy’ at the beginning of Pride month drew particular criticism, amidst the attack on and more broadly worldwide. 

Whilst sadness over the loss of visual representation of queer identities in the media is valid, pointing the gun inwards is unhelpful. Nobody owes anyone representation, and the main message FLETCHER evangelises with her new album is that the only person you need to be authentic to is yourself. 

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Describing it as her “heart split open on record”, this album is worlds apart from her previous work. It’s toned down, stripped back and vulnerable. 

In a haze of dreamy, acoustic pop, each of its 11 tracks pensively ruminate on identity, embracing change and practising self-love. ‘Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me’ is that part of a concert when the lights dim and the artist brings out an acoustic guitar. 

In ‘Party’ FLETCHER sheds her old skin of party girl ballads, marking a new era in her artistic journey; on ‘Hi, Everyone Leave Please’ Fletcher laments “bye to who I’ve been, hi to who I’m next.” 

Interjecting the heartfelt ballads with an upbeat chorus and catchy melody are tracks like ‘The Arsonist’, ‘All Of The Women’ and ‘Congratulations’.

Fletcher finishes the album with the titular track ‘Would You Still Love Me’ where she questions whether fans would still love her if they really knew her… and if not, whether she would still love herself. In the form of spoken word poetry, FLETCHER ends her new album with the message of authenticity to oneself before anyone else, advising fans to welcome the ebb and flow of identity and embrace change. 

7/10

Words: Kaitlin Willoughby

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