Released 7 years ago this October
Cheap Queen
King Princess · 2019
38 min · 13 tracks · pop music
A shimmering blend of introspective lyrics and catchy pop melodies, intertwining vulnerability with a confident swagger.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Cheap Queen — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of self-acceptance and empowerment, blending a catchy chorus with introspective verses that reflect personal struggles.
-
→
Tough on Myself — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its raw vulnerability and melodic hooks, illustrating King Princess's internal battles with self-worth.
-
→
Do You Wanna See Me Crying? — In this poignant moment, King Princess confronts emotional turmoil while juxtaposing upbeat instrumentals with heart-wrenching honesty, demonstrating her unique songwriting prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends introspective lyrics with catchy melodies, maintaining a solid structure and pacing throughout.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks employ layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing emotional impact.
- The lyrics often shift between personal introspection and broader themes of identity, creating a narrative arc across the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional exploration
- introspective moments for reflection
- vibrant melodies for connection
- short tracks for quick listens
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Cheap Queen' was released in October 2019, King Princess was transitioning from her breakout single '1950' to establishing herself as a prominent voice in pop. This debut studio album followed her EP 'Make My Bed', showcasing her maturation as an artist and songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Clairo· Phoebe Bridgers· Olivia Rodrigo
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Ain’t Together
The bridge where the perspective shifts from collective experience to solitary reflection captures a moment of clarity amidst confusion.
This structural choice emphasizes the isolation felt when navigating relationships, contrasting the earlier lyrical camaraderie.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Tough on Myself 3:43
- 2 Useless Phrases 1:16
- 3 Cheap Queen 2:41
- 4 Ain’t Together 3:22
- 5 Do You Wanna See Me Crying? 1:45
- 6 Homegirl 3:01
- 7 Prophet 4:09
- 8 Isabel’s Moment 2:13
- 9 Trust Nobody 3:15
- 10 Watching My Phone 3:00
- 11 You Destroyed My Heart 3:40
- 12 Hit the Back 3:23
- 13 If You Think It’s Love 3:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.