Unveiling FLETCHER’s Authentic Self: More Than Just Chaos and Queerness
Previously, FLETCHER’s public image was often characterized by two words: chaotic and queer. Her music frequently embraced a sense of disorder, and her concerts drew a large LGBTQ+ following, especially lesbians and queer women. The 2022 release of “Becky’s So Hot,” a song publicly addressing her ex-girlfriend’s new partner, solidified her association with dramatic narratives. In interviews, “chaos” emerged as the most common descriptor of her brand.
However, the singer, whose real name is Cari Fletcher, is now entering a new phase. While still retaining elements of chaos and remaining unapologetically queer, her latest album, *Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me?,* showcases a more sensitive and tender side.
The artist explains a shift in her approach to live performances. Instead of focusing on providing extravagant experiences for her audience, she now prioritizes a different kind of engagement. She desires a more personal and authentic connection with her fans.
This new collection of music comprises twelve deeply reflective and revealing tracks where the New Jersey native shares intimate details of her life. Her music has always been autobiographical, but this album features a new level of honesty. It’s not solely about romantic relationships; it explores her challenges within the music industry and her evolving sexuality.
The closing track, “Would You Still Love Me?”, concludes with a spoken-word segment that poses profound questions to both herself and her listeners. These questions regarding self-acceptance resonate particularly strongly considering the lead single, “Boy,” which sparked considerable debate.
In “Boy,” Fletcher details a romantic encounter with a man, a departure from her previous work focused exclusively on relationships with women. This release, coinciding with Pride month, led to significant reactions online, including criticism from some quarters. Despite the controversy, Fletcher maintains her commitment to her queer identity and creating inclusive spaces for her LGBTQ+ fans.
The album is a deeply personal exploration of identity, revealing aspects never seen before. While previous work focused intensely on relationships, this album delves into her experiences as an artist and public figure, showcasing a multifaceted self-portrait. This makes it her most personal work to date.
Fletcher discusses her stage persona as a separate entity. The name “FLETCHER,” adopted from her childhood sports days, initially served as a shield against anxieties and mental health struggles. It allowed her to inhabit a powerful, confident role onstage, distinct from her more vulnerable self.
The quick turnaround between albums is explained by the intensely challenging previous year, marked by extensive touring and personal struggles. The album served as an outlet for processing those complex emotions and experiences. This led to a spontaneous and unfiltered creative process. The album’s twelve tracks encompass all of her songwriting from that period.
The artist reveals the minimal amount of tracks written and her intentional avoidance of overthinking. She prioritized authenticity and rawness, retaining much of the original, unpolished recordings. This album explores her challenging relationship with the demands of the music industry and the pressures of public life.
The album also signifies a temporary step back from touring, stemming from her desire to reclaim her passion for music, which has become intertwined with the complexities of the industry. While she plans to perform live again, she needs a break to fully appreciate this album’s impact. The album release is not directly followed by a tour, a deliberate choice reflecting her need for self-care and a change of pace.
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The decision to lead with “Boy,” a song about a relationship with a man, was deliberate. While acknowledging anxieties surrounding its release, she emphasizes her commitment to self-expression and authenticity. The song’s reception has been a journey of self-discovery, encompassing a wide range of emotions and lessons.
The singer addresses the negative commentary that followed the release of “Boy,” acknowledging the intense reactions but emphasizing the fluidity of sexuality. The album encourages self-acceptance and growth, especially regarding evolving identities and experiences.
She clarifies previous comments about archiving older, more explicitly sapphic Instagram posts, explaining this as a common practice before releasing albums, signifying a new chapter. She firmly rejects any notion of erasure of her past experiences, highlighting her evolving self.
In conclusion, the artist addresses the negative comments she’s received, validating the feelings of her critics while also validating her own experience. She expresses a hope for more understanding, compassion, and grace within the LGBTQ+ community and the broader world. Her journey through this period of intense scrutiny is linked to her career’s early chaos, health battles (including a Lyme disease diagnosis), and the weight of public expectations. The desire to present a softer, more authentic image led to the album’s creation, signifying a new phase of growth and self-acceptance.
Finally, she asserts the importance of acknowledging the fluidity of sexuality and gender, emphasizing that these identities are not static. She encourages self-acceptance and challenges the tendency to pigeonhole individuals based on past expressions of identity. She concludes by stressing the importance of authenticity and the personal nature of one’s journey with sexuality, highlighting the acceptance and understanding that this new music represents.