Jessica Winter’s ‘My First Album’: A Bold Dive Into Campy Queer Pop

Jessica Winter’s ‘My First Album’ cements her place in the campy queer pop scene with vibrant glam, bold emotion, and playful neuroticism.

A Theatrical Glam-Pop Debut with a Queer Twist

Jessica Winter, the underground queer pop sensation from Portsmouth, kicks off her debut album in a way that feels like stepping into a spooky David Bowie western. But just as quickly, the sound morphs into indulgent farmyard cathedral electronica — a wild and unexpected ride. Having always hovered on the fringes of pop, Winter’s My First Album is a thrilling, head-scratching adventure that blends fun with a little weirdness.

The opener, “Nirvana,” sets the tone for this glam-pop journey. The album rarely veers off its course, aiming for pure enjoyment wrapped in eccentricity. If you’re used to Winter’s music, prepare for new corners of your imagination to light up.

From Theatrical EP Roots to Full Album Flourish

Before this full-length, Winter dropped the theatrical ‘Limerance’ EP in 2023, a grand expression of blinding infatuation. That project firmly established her as one of the UK’s most exciting alt-pop oddballs and showcased her diverse influences — from Elton John’s flamboyance to Kraftwerk’s electronic pioneering, even channeling A. G. Cook’s experimental pop.

More than just a pop prodigy, Jessica’s music reveals a complex, anxious thirty-something navigating the rough seas of love and emotion.

Embracing Emotional Depth with Upbeat Vibes

Despite the confessional title, My First Album isn’t a mopey diary. Winter masterfully balances melancholia with euphoric energy. She explains her mission to “see how sad I can make something sound but still make you feel uplifted,” a feat she pulls off brilliantly.

Take the lead single “L.O.V.E.,” which captures the addictive thrill of insatiable love with goosebump-inducing anthemic energy. Then there’s “Feels Good (For Tonight),” a nu-disco catharsis bathed in Kylie Minogue's shimmering pop vibes — lighter and more accessible than the edgy opener, yet just as captivating.

In the glam-pop track “Worst Person In The World,” she croons in an extraterrestrial Bowie-like voice:

“I’ll always be the worst person in the world,
So we should be together
‘Cause it don’t get any better.”

These lyrics encapsulate the album’s blueprint: a cocktail of queer neuroticism, insecurity, and hopeless romanticism.

A Stylish Mix of Queer Pop Nostalgia and Genre-Bending

Jessica’s debut is a colorful homage to decades of queer millennial pop culture. The album is a tapestry of styles:

• “All I Ever Really Wanted” pulses with electroclash energy.
• “Wannabe” channels a 4 Non Blondes-style alt-rock vibe.
• “Aftersun” dives into tropical Euro-disco rhythms.
• “Big Star,” a standout power-pop glam-rock anthem, echoes the gender-bending spirit of early 2000s icons like Scissor Sisters and MIKA.

This diversity cements Winter’s claim to the campy queer pop throne.

Watch: Jessica Winter - Big Star

An Idiosyncratic Portrait of Identity and Self-Acceptance

My First Album is more than just a collection of songs. It’s an impassioned, idiosyncratic patchwork that paints a vivid portrait of anxious yet wistful identity. Winter’s message is clear: by embracing her quirks and desires, she moves forward without losing her essence.

At the bridge of “Big Star,” she reflects over wistful piano keys:

“Something could happen
And someday I’ll be a somebody,
Then I’ll be happy
‘Cause it all wasn’t just a dream.”

It’s a hopeful, confident leap into the future, told through the spirited pop colors of her inspirations.

Album Details

• Record Label: Lucky Number
• Release Date: July 11, 2025

Wrapping It Up

Jessica Winter’s My First Album is a dazzling, eclectic introduction to a bold new voice in queer pop. With its blend of glam-rock, electroclash, and heartfelt lyricism, it’s a celebration of neuroticism, romance, and self-expression. Are you ready to jump into this vibrant, campy world and join the party?

FAQs

• What genres influence My First Album?
  Jessica Winter blends glam-pop, electroclash, nu-disco, alt-rock, and Euro-disco influences for a uniquely queer pop experience.
• How does Jessica Winter balance emotion in her music?
  She combines melancholic themes with euphoric, danceable beats to create songs that are both sad and uplifting.
• Which artists does Winter’s sound resemble?
  Influences include David Bowie, Elton John, Kraftwerk, A. G. Cook, Kylie Minogue, and early 2000s queer icons like Scissor Sisters and MIKA.
• What themes does My First Album explore?
  The album delves into queer neuroticism, romantic longing, insecurity, and self-acceptance.
• Where can I listen to Jessica Winter’s music?
  Her album is available on all major streaming platforms and physical formats via the Lucky Number label.

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