Has it actually been five years since Destiny Frasqueri, also known as Princess Nokia, last released an album? The double album ‘Everything Sucks’/’Everything is Beautiful’ didn't align with what fans anticipated. It wasn't merely a continuation of her debut album ‘1992’… but it also wasn't a typical pop record. While it was enjoyable, it didn't resonate as deeply as it could have. Since then, she has put out three singles and a mixtape. Expectations have been high for Nokia’s next album to deliver. Fortunately, ‘Girls’ does just that. It re-establishes her alongside her contemporaries and confirms that the initial excitement surrounding her was warranted. “It supports women’s rights – and wrongs,” she asserts.
‘Girls’ kicks off with ‘Girl FM 1’. This brief 45-second introduction includes a sample of Courtney Love from the 1998 MTV Awards responding to a journalist's question about her glamorous appearance at the Oscars: “We, as females, have thousands of years of fashion in our DNA. We want to wear nice fucking clothes; it’s part of what we do. So, I don’t have an issue with it. If you get the chance to attend the Oscars in an amazing gown and be fabulous, you’re going to take it. I don’t need to follow a rule. Who made that rule? Some dumb guy!” At this moment, it’s clear that “It’s ON!” Princess Nokia has returned, ready to express herself.
‘Blue Velvet’ is the first standout track on the album, serving as an homage to David Lynch. Princess Nokia elevates Twin Peaks’ Laura Palmer through her signature rapid-fire lyrics, addressing themes of abuse and the contradictions of being female in 2025. The sound features tight beats, minimal bass lines, and haunting synths. Against this backdrop, Frasqueri delivers some of her best lines: “I am so disgusting, I am so salacious, I am pure evil with the sweetest hint of fragrance” and “If I were a man, I could get away with murder / But I’m a girl, so I have a mental disorder.”
‘Medusa’ continues in a similar vein, amping up the intensity and darkness. ‘Matcha Cherry’ slows the tempo and highlights her vocal and rap abilities. Nokia sings, “I’m in love with her, see myself in her, I think I am that girl (Girls are so great)” and “Girls are so pretty, girls are so sweet (Lemon girl, kiss, kiss) / Girls are so perfect even when they are mean (Lemon girl, kiss, kiss)”. At its core, ‘Girls’ maintains a hip-hop foundation similar to ‘1992’, but it embraces pop and dance influences in a previously unimaginable way.
One of the notable tracks is ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’. The backing is a blend of pop and club music, featuring prominent bass lines and beats. Lyrically, she’s unapologetic, thought-provoking, and humorously existential, reminiscent of a cultural fusion between M.I.A. and Charli XCX. This is where Frasqueri shines. ‘Pink Bronco’ feels like the best song Lana Del Rey never released, characterized by understated beats, references to the American dream, melodic vocals, and captivating melodies. Perfect!
‘Girls’ concludes with Frasqueri discussing the creation of the album: “I don’t enjoy collaborating with writers or many producers. The secret to my success is silence, isolation, and stillness,” and emphasizing how much fun she had making it. “I know what I’m doing; I trust my process.”
The album is filled with cultural references and name drops, including Lana Del Rey, Chapel Roan, David Lynch, Sonic Youth, Disney’s Descendants, Tim Burton, Howling Wolf, the cult horror film Maxine, and Phoebe Philo, among others. These references aren’t about showing off her ‘coolness’ (which she possesses!) but rather serve as cultural touchstones, expressing, “I appreciate the same things you do.” Each reference draws listeners further into her world, enhancing their enjoyment of the album.
Princess Nokia has occasionally found herself overshadowed by her own success. ‘1992’ was such a groundbreaking album that many expected her to replicate it. Thankfully, she ventured out on her own; at times this worked beautifully, while occasionally it felt slightly off. ‘Girls’ stands as her most focused work since ‘1992’. The 2020 double album ‘Everything Sucks’/’Everything is Beautiful’ was entertaining but inconsistent, with some tracks feeling weaker than others. On ‘Girls’, she comes alive with passion and confidence. Her strongest songs often emerge when she’s a bit frustrated, providing fierce responses with a wry smile.
On ‘1992’, the track ‘Tomboy’ addressed body positivity and her experiences being compared
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Has it truly been five years since Destiny Frasqueri, known as Princess Nokia, put out her last album...? The double album ‘Everything Sucks’/’Everything is