What makes Trespassing by Adam Lambert notable?

Trespassing debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making Lambert the first openly gay artist to achieve this feat. The album received generally positive reviews for its infectious tracks and lyrical content, showcasing Lambert's vocal prowess and solidifying his influence within the pop scene. Released on January 1, 2012, Trespassing is Adam Lambert's second studio album, following his successful debut, For Your Entertainment. At this point in his career, Lambert was solidifying his presence as a prominent figure in pop music after gaining fame from American Idol. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into personal themes while experimenting with a more diverse sound palette.

Who is Trespassing for?

Trespassing works well if you're into steady mid-tempo dance energy, theatrical vocal performances shine and party-ready anthems for celebration.

How many songs are on Trespassing?

Trespassing has 17 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

Trespassing

Adam Lambert · 2012

61 min · 17 tracks · electronic music

A bold blend of dance-pop and synth-infused anthems that explore themes of love, identity, and empowerment.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Better Than I Know Myself — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics about self-acceptance and resilience, paired with anthemic production that showcases Lambert's powerful vocals.
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Cuckoo — With its playful attitude and catchy hook, this song encapsulates the album's vibrant energy while highlighting Lambert's flair for dramatic pop performance.
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Outlaws of Love — A poignant ballad that addresses themes of love and societal acceptance, this track exemplifies Lambert's ability to blend emotional depth with mainstream appeal.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic pop anthems with reflective moments, showcasing strong production and vocal delivery.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a driving beat and layered synths, immediately establishing an energetic tone.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the anthemic quality of the choruses.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier dance-heavy songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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 mid-tempo dance energy
theatrical vocal performances shine
party-ready anthems for celebration
uplifting tracks for joyfulness
engaging hooks for sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

seeking slow, introspective moments
prefer standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — First openly gay artist to debut at number one, solidifying his presence.
Career context: Released on January 1, 2012, Trespassing is Adam Lambert's second studio album, following his successful debut, For Your Entertainment. At this point in his career, Lambert was solidifying his presence as a prominent figure in pop music after gaining fame from American Idol. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into personal themes while experimenting with a more diverse sound palette.
Stylistic neighbors: Sam Smith· Troye Sivan· Lady Gaga