Sexorcism (Brooke Candy album)

Sexorcism (stylised in all caps) is the debut studio album by American rapper Brooke Candy. It was released on October 25, 2019 by NUXXE.[2][3] The album features guest appearances from Charli XCX, Iggy Azalea, Violet Chachki, Aquaria, Erika Jayne, Rico Nasty, Ashnikko and others.

Sexorcism
Studio album by Brooke Candy
Released	October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
Genre	Future pop house trap[1]
Length	33:27
Label	NUXXE
Producer	Boys Noize Andrew Goldstein Oscar Scheller Raf Riley Carl Ryden Sega Bodega
Brooke Candy chronology
Opulence (2014) Sexorcism (2019)
Singles from Sexorcism
"XXXTC" Released: July 2, 2019 "Drip" Released: September 10, 2019 "FMU" Released: October 21, 2019

Background

In February 2014, Candy signed with RCA Records.[4] Candy's original debut album was set to be called Daddy Issues, being executively produced by then label-mate Sia, who was also a songwriter on the record. She discovered Candy on Instagram and reached out to her, believing that "[she] was the only person who could really support [Candy] in becoming who [she is] on a grander stage or platform."[5] From 2015 to 2017, some promotional and official singles were unveiled anticipating the album's release including "Rubber Band Stacks",[6][7] "Happy Days",[8][9] "Nasty",[10] "Paper or Plastic",[11][12][13][14] and "Living Out Loud featuring Sia,[15][16][17] which ended up being the first Candy's charting song peaking at number 4 at the Billboard's US Dance Club Songs chart.[18] RCA stated that the album was set for a spring 2017 release.[19]

In the summer of 2017, Candy parted ways with RCA Records. In an interview, she stated that Sony owned the songs so after her departure the album was cancelled. During June, Candy spoke with magazine Bullett about her experience with RCA Records, stating: "I feel like I’ve been in a weird Matrix glitch for the past three or four years, but I’m finally out of it—back at square one, but way healthier." Candy also said she had begun planning an EP set to be released during the summer. "I’m working on a new EP that’s like punk-rap—it’s just what I’ve been feeling. I want to make music everyone can dance to. I never particularly wanted to make mainstream pop music—it just seemed like a great opportunity and a really cool way for me to build a fucking massive platform to spread a conscious, positive message to young girls and the queer community. But I think I have a better chance of doing that if I just stay true to what I’m good at—making raw and authentic rap music, and just being myself."[20] From mid-2017 to early 2018 Candy returned to her career as an independent artist with self-released singles "Volcano"[21] and "For Free".[22][23]

Later she signed with independent record label WonderSound Records and released two singles with them; "War" intended as the lead single of a later scrapped EP tentatively titled Who Cares[24][25] and "My Sex" featuring Pussy Riot, MNDR and Mykki Blanco[26][27][28][29][30]

On November 7, 2018, Candy stated that releasing a first full-length album was still a possibility. "Because of my experience with Sony, I must have made like 60 songs and they just never let me put any of them out. I had a full album ready to go and that kind of burnt me a little bit and put a bad taste in my mouth. I questioned my music and my art for a while and just stopped making it completely,” Candy explained. “I’ll release the next couple of songs but I’m planning an album and it’s in the works. I don’t want to jump ahead and say things because if things don’t happen like, godammit!"[31] Before the end of the year two more singles were self-released; "Nuts" featuring American songwriter and rapper Lil Aaron[32] and a joint single alongside production team Ojivolta called "Oomph".[33]

On January 10, 2019, Candy confirmed that she just had finished her debut album. She recorded it in London with English producer, singer and songwriter Oscar Schuller along with rapper Ashnikko.[34] Candy spoke on her time alongside the pair: "Ashnikko is basically a savant! We agreed she would help with an EP if I helped with a music video, but we had three tracks done in a day… within four days we had twelve strong, cohesive songs!"[3] On February 28, Candy confirmed the album title to be Sexorcism.[35]

Composition

The album has been described as "futuristic pop, house and trap".[1] Candy described the sound of the lead single "XXXTC" as "uber-sexual, freaky, weird and nonsensical!"[3] During the same interview, she claimed to have worked with many other artists for the record; "I have basically all of my dream collaborators – there’s Boyz Noize, Rico Nasty and TOOPOOR".[3] A ‘90s house inspired track featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race winners Aquaria and Violet Chachki was also confirmed to be on the album. "I wanted to mimic Erotica, so it’s us whispering the nastiest shit over this incredible bassline." Candy stated.[3]

Promotion

Singles

On February 28 announced that the first "unofficial" single would be called "Happy",[35] which was released on March 29, 2019[2] along with its official music video directed by Rankin. The track lyrically deals with themes such as mental health and identity, with Paper stating that Candy "takes you through the motions of battling mental health and finding that there's pleasure in the pain."[36] The track has also been described as "some of [Candy's] most personal work to date".[37]

On June 20, 2019; Candy confirmed in an interview with The Face a collaboration with Charli XCX and rapper Maliibu Mitch called "XXXTC", which later served as the project's lead single.[3] Its music video was unveiled on July 23 and was directed by Luke Abby and Dejan Jovanović.[38]

The album's second single "Drip" featuring Erika Jayne was released on September 10, 2019 along its music video. It was directed by Candy along photographer Angelo Kritikos.[39]

The third and final single from the proyect "FMU" featuring Rico Nasty was unveiled on October 21 accompanied by its self-directed music video. It premiered via The Fader the same day.[40]

A music video for the song "Freak Like Me" featuring TOOPOOR was released on November 12, 2019. It was directed by Rony Alwin along Candy herself.[41]

On December 4, 2019 Candy released a self-directed music video for the song "Nymph".[42]

An official remix of "Cum" by Scottish producer SOPHIE was released on YouTube on February 14, 2020.[43]

Tour

Sexorcism Tour

Tour by Brooke Candy
Associated album	Sexorcism
Start date	25 February 2020 (2020-02-25)
End date	6 March 2020 (2020-03-06)
Legs	1
No. of shows	4 in Europe 1 in Asia 5 total
Supporting act(s)	ELM

Candy is set to embark on the Sexorcism Tour through Europe. The four-date event will begin on February 25, 2020 in Berlin.[44]

List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, and opening act

Date	City	Country	Venue	Opening act
25 February 2020	Berlin	Germany	Berghain	ELM
26 February 2020	Amsterdam	Netherlands	3x NYX
27 February 2020	Paris	France	La Boule Noire
28 February 2020	Barcelona	Spain	Sala Apolo	TekiLAtex, Loli Zazou
29 February 2020	London	United Kingdom	Studio 9294
6 March 2020	Tokyo	Japan	Daikanayama UNIT

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	55/100[45]
Review scores
Source	Rating
Clash	4/10[46]
DIY	[47]
PopMatters	[48]
Slant Magazine	[49]
Crack	[1]

Reviews from professional critics have been mixed,[45] primarily criticizing the one-dimensionality of the album's lyric content.[46][49][47] DIY appreciated the album's purpose of "reclaiming female sexuality without any major-label censoring," but found the record to be "incredibly empowering and progressive" only in little doses while "clumsy in its own damp puddle" when listened from start to finish.[47] Clash did praise some of the guest verses, particularly those of Charli XCX and Rico Nasty, but found the album to be "lacking in ideas" overall.[46]

However, Washington Blade praised Sexorcism's little depth, suggesting that it was poking fun at "music merely pretending to have soul."[50] A Popmatters critic also enjoyed Sexorcism, opining that while it wasn't very accessible, "it does stand as the second coming of Brooke Candy -- in all of her nightmarish but playful, horned-up but at least honest, seedy and sexy glory."[48]

Track listing

All tracks produced by Scheller, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Nymph"	Brooke Candy Chloe Black	Carl Ryden	2:00
2.	"XXXTC" (featuring Charli XCX and Maliibu Miitch)	Candy Oscar Scheller Ashnikko Maliibu Miitch Charli XCX		3:18
3.	"R.I.P." (featuring Ashnikko)	Candy Scheller Ashnikko		3:30
4.	"Cum" (featuring Iggy Azalea)	Candy Iggy Azalea Ashnikko Scheller		2:42
5.	"Rim" (featuring Violet Chachki and Aquaria)	Candy Jesse Saint John Scheller		3:24
6.	"Swing" (featuring Bree Runway)	Candy Ashnikko Bree Runway Scheller		2:42
7.	"Encore" (featuring La Goony Chonga)	Candy Ashnikko La Goony Chonga Scheller		1:46
8.	"Freak Like Me" (featuring TOOPOOR)	Candy Jesse Saint John TOOPOOR	Andrew Goldstein	2:50
9.	"Boss Bitch" (featuring Ashnikko)	Candy Scheller Ashnikko		2:28
10.	"Drip" (featuring Erika Jayne)	Candy Scheller Ashnikko Salvador Navarrete Jesse Saint John	Sega Bodega Scheller Raf Riley	2:13
11.	"Honey Pussy"	Candy Scheller Ashnikko		3:30
12.	"FMU" (featuring Rico Nasty)	Candy Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly Jesse Saint John	Boys Noize	2:58

Sampling credits

• "FMU" samples the song "I Sit on Acid" by Lords of Acid from their 1991 album Lust.

References

1. Garland, Emma. "Brooke Candy – 'SEXORCISM' review". Crack. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
2. Mike Nied (March 29, 2019). "Brooke Candy Returns With Growling Anthem "Happy"". Idolator.
3. Jake Hall (June 20, 2019). "The Real Deal: An honest interview with Brooke Candy". The Face. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
4. "Dynamic Rapper / Singer Brooke Candy Signs with RCA Records". RCA Records. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
5. "The Chosen Ones". PaperMag. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
6. "New Brooke Candy Music Video: Rubber Band Stacks". W. 17 August 2015.
7. Jolyon Webber (August 18, 2015). "Brooke Candy: Rubber Band Stacks". Hunger TV.
8. Mike Wass (5 February 2016). "Brooke Candy Swaps Hip-Hop For Gloomy Electro-Pop On "Happy Days" - Idolator". Idolator.
9. Hayden Manders (February 4, 2016). "Brooke Candy Seeks "Happy Days" In New Video". Nylon.
10. "Premiere: Brooke Candy N-A-S-T-Y". Hunger TV. June 2, 2016.
11. Daisy Jones (July 7, 2016). "Brooke Candy's New Track "Paper or Plastic" Is a Pure Shot of Sparkling Pop". Noisey.
12. Yasmeen Gharnit (July 14, 2016). "Brooke Candy + Her Sister Wives Take Control Over Their Lives In Her New Music Video". Nylon.
13. Rachel Sonis (15 July 2016). "Brooke Candy Seeks Retribution In "Paper Or Plastic" Video: Watch - Idolator". Idolator.
14. Daisy Jones (14 July 2016). "Watch Brooke Candy take revenge on her patriarchal oppressor". Dazed.
15. "Brooke Candy - 'Living Out Loud' feat. Sia". Wonderland. February 6, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
16. Bradley Stern (February 3, 2017). "'Living Out Loud': Brooke Candy and Sia Tackle Substance Abuse in a Soaring Pop Anthem". PopCrush.
17. Justin Moran (February 3, 2017). "Nothing Can Stop Brooke Candy & Sia on Breakout Pop Duet 'Living Out Loud'". Out.
18. "Brooke Candy Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
19. "Brooke Candy Releases "Living Out Loud" Ft. Sia". RCA Records. February 3, 2017.
20. Alexandra Weiss (June 14, 2017). "Brooke Candy Goes Back To Basics". Bullett Media.
21. "Brooke Candy's 'Volcano' Is About To Blow [VIDEO]". Grindr. July 7, 2017.
22. ""For Free - Single" von Brooke Candy". Apple Music, iTunes (DE). March 14, 2018.
23. "GNTM-Models blamieren sich als Möchtegern-Rapperinnen". T-Online (in German). March 16, 2018.
24. "BROOKE CANDY WAGES WAR!". May 18, 2018.
25. Justin Moran (May 18, 2018). "Brooke Candy Declares 'War'". Paper.
26. "Squad Goals Brooke Candy, Pussy Riot, Mykki Blanco & MNDR". WonderSound Records. August 1, 2018.
27. Matt Moen (August 10, 2018). "Brooke Candy Teases Upcoming Single with Mykki Blanco, Pussy Riot, & MNDR". Paper.
28. Frankie Dunn (August 17, 2018). "brooke candy, mykki blanco and pussy riot are sex dolls in this music video". i-D. Vice.
29. Selim Bulut (August 17, 2018). "Brooke Candy on 'My Sex', working with Pornhub, and mythical obsessions". Dazed.
30. "Many Vids X Brooke Candy". ManyVids. August 16, 2018.
31. Ryan Cahill (November 7, 2018). "Sweet Like (Brooke) Candy". Notion.
32. Stephen Daw (November 16, 2018). "Pop-Punk Rapper Brooke Candy Goes 'Nuts' With Lil Aaron On New Track: Listen". Billboard.
33. Matt Moen (December 13, 2018). "Brooke Candy Does Donuts in the Desert in 'Oomph'". Paper.
34. "Brooke Candy on Instagram: "Just finished my 1st album in London and I'm 1 part excited to share with the world and 1 part really sad that it's over. I ❤️ YOU @ashnikko…"". Instagram. January 10, 2019.
35. Brooke Candy (February 28, 2019). "BROOKE CANDY on Twitter: "SURPRISE! MARCH 15 MY FIRST UNOFFICIAL SINGLE "HAPPY" FROM MY FIRST ALBUM "SEXORCISM" DROPS… "". Twitter.
36. Roytel Montero (March 29, 2019). "Brooke Candy Gets Tied in Shibari for 'Happy'". Paper.
37. "Exclusive: Watch Brooke Candy and Rankin's video for Happy". Hunger TV. March 29, 2019.
38. Mike Nied (July 23, 2019). "Interview: Brooke Candy Talks "XXXTC" Video, 'Sexorcism' & Charli XCX Collab". Idolator.
39. Hannag Abueideh (September 10, 2019). "Brooke Candy's "Drip" is here and were all purring". Flaunt.
40. Ethan Ayer (October 21, 2019). "On "FMU," Brooke Candy takes the night with an all-female biker gang". The Fader.
41. Cal McIntyre (November 15, 2019). ""Freak Like Me" by Brooke Candy and TOOPOOR". Notion.
42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYKzFd-O-xE
43. "(official) "CUM" remix ft. SOPHIE". YouTube. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
44. Philip Logan (November 2, 2019). "Brooke Candy Announces 2020 SEXORCISM European Tour!". CelebMix.
45. "Sexorcism by Brooke Candy Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
46. Rivers, Joe (October 29, 2019). "Brooke Candy – Sexorcism". Clash. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
47. Williams, Janessa (October 25, 2019). "Brooke Candy – Sexorcism". DIY. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
48. Malone, Nick (October 28, 2019). "Brooke Candy's 'Sexorcism' Is a Filthy Afterparty That Doesn't Really Make Sense Before 3:00 AM". PopMatters. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
49. Camp, Alexa (October 24, 2019). "Review: Brooke Candy's Sexorcism Is Torpedoed by Humorless Innuendo". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
50. Murphy, Thom (October 29, 2019). "Kanye's 'Jesus' is all-out gospel effort; Brooke Candy debut is unabashed sex-a-thon". Washington Blade. Retrieved October 30, 2019.