From Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Stronger’ to Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’, there are ample tracks about overcoming adversity, building yourself back up and finding self-empowerment. One common thread with this pantheon of confidence boosters is that they don’t celebrate perfection and they recognise that one’s journey doesn’t run in one smooth line. One up-and-coming artist who knows all too well that life can be messy is Los Angeles queer pop musician Cade King, who offers a deliciously steamy and dark slice of electro-pop with his latest single ‘TEA’. Co-written and produced alongside longtime friend and collaborator Una Jensen, this track captured our attention with its sassy attitude, strutting rhythms and playful production from start to finish.

Bringing together edgy dark-pop melodies and alternative club beats, ‘TEA’ carries a distinctive energy through which this artist brings his camp, humorous and unapologetic queer expression to the dancefloor. Over the buoyant soundscape, Cade flips between a more rhythmic or melodic vocal performance as he delivers line after quotable line; one of our favourite sections being, “‘aint gonna be the victim, Imma be the villain, you ass kissin’, I’m still sippin’, tea so hot, it could burn your throat.” The production also kept us on our toes throughout, with the surprising additions like sword slinks, aqueous bubbles and staccato beats. After listening to Cade King’s new single, we’re ready to spill all the tea!

“No one will believe in me more than myself and that has to remain true through the haters, the criticism, and the social media lurkers. No matter who is watching and listening, I will always remain true to myself and loyal to the day oners and the people that support me along the way. Every song I make I love and want to listen to it all the time and cannot wait to share that with the world. That’s the tea!”

Follow Cade King on Instagram.