Queer alt-pop artist Adaline releases her new EP “Hymnal” on March 22nd. Adaline is both a queer woman and the daughter of an evangelical minister. These two identities intersect within her upcoming EP “Hymnal” which centers around the trauma queer people have faced within religious spaces. Another inspiratoin is Bad Believer, a nonprofit Adaline founded that focuses on healing religious trauma within the LGBTQ+ community. The importance of healing to Adaline is apparent in the opening track of the EP, “Bad Believer.” This song features several people sharing their stories of coming out within the church and the reactions they received due to their queerness. “Bad Believer” ends with the line, “You are only as sick as your darkest secret; Bring those hurts into the light.” This quote highlights Adaline’s vulnerability beginning the healing process through the EP.
“Running on Empty” and “If There Is a God” bring light to the heartbreak queer people face in the light of rejection from churches. While “True Love Waits” addresses the self-doubt and guilt religion instills in Queer people. The EP takes a hopeful shift in “If Something is Good”, which features a declaration of self-acceptance and not denying good things for yourself.
Adaline wraps up “Hymnal” with the hauntingly beautiful love letter to her parents entitled “What Love is All About”. The track, sonically reflective of gospel songs, highlights the joy of being fully accepted and vulnerable. Adaline sings, “When you come out of hiding / to arms that are waiting / that’s what love is all about.”
Production by Chris Coady (The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House, Future Island) brings Adaline’s reflective and vulnerable lyrics to life. The sonically versatile EP features playful production on “If Something is Good” to a powerful sonic buildup in “What Love is All About.”
“Hymnal” tells a story of honesty, pain, and reconciliation. In just seven songs, Adaline beautifully captures the confusion and sorrow that being queer and religious can bring. “Hymnal” holds an evocative and healing feeling through acknowledging this pain.
