Part of Peaches’ appeal comes from the novelty of a former school teacher rapping about very dirty things. However, her work’s always had a deliberately transgressive subtext that’s kept her from being written off as a novelty act. Rub still includes plenty of references to bodily fluids, but unlike previous recordings where the raunch often overshadowed her anger, the pansexual orgies and butt plugs here act as a backdrop to a nasty breakup. That raw, personal edge offsets her campier tendencies.
Her sex-obsessed lyrics have always bypassed simple titillation, focusing on female and queer perspectives that turn her celebrations of sleaze into something playfully political. Even though Rub is about personal betrayals, the message speaks to a bigger issue: that complete sexual freedom depends on trust and honesty. Some might prefer she stick with her usual skewering of gender roles, but that genuine anger lends a new seriousness and realness to even her silliest verses.
Top track: Free Drink Ticket
Peaches is streaming her album until Friday, when it drops:
Peaches plays the Phoenix October 20. Don’t miss our feature from the Fall Music Preview, where she talks about pissing on R. Kelly, here.
