NO WRONG TURN: KIM PETRAS DETOURS

Eli Sheppard

30 May 2026

Joshua Magazzu

Kim Petras has released her DEBUT album, Detour! Whilst it is not really her debut album, Petras loves to joke with her fans that every release is her debut, and we love upholding traditions in this house! Detour marks another exciting chapter in Petras' career, showcasing her growth as an artist. Throughout the record, Petras explores themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery, empowerment, and redirection, all wrapped in her signature glossy production style. So bitches, let’s hit the road!

The record opens with the title track “Detour,” which immediately draws listeners in with intriguing lyrics that highlight Petras' ability to craft pop songs with a gorgeous, glossy sheen and thought-provoking lyrics. “This is the beginning of the end, Everything before is Just Pretend.” What an opening lyric! What does this mean ? Is everything before not the authentic Kim Petras we know and love ? We will have to continue lsitening to find out.

“DTLA” swings in with a really fierce beat that has me moving my body. Petras does this best, music that makes you FEEL like dancing, twirling and turning it out! Arriving early into the record, “I Like Your Look” is yet another pussy popping, pounding the pavement track that we all know and love. It has that signature Petras sound, but also sounds so fresh and exciting. I still have it on repeat! “Check It” continues on to just END me. It’s a dance floor danger that has me wanting to gather my friends and just shake some ass! Thank you, Miss Petras, for delivering such tunes for all of us gays around the world to dance to.

The duality of this record lies in effervescent pop bangers contrasted with more introspective mid tempo tunes. Despite the bangers, there are sprinkles of moments throughout the album that provide depth. “Brutalist” delves into Petras’ childhood and touches on her dad, her hormone medication, and German architecture. It is really interesting to see Petras reflect on such a raw and emotional period in her transition. “Jeep” is yet another perfect example of this. It shows a side of Petras we have rarely seen: an acoustic arrangement that strips away the usual pop gloss and puts her vulnerability front and centre. In a record full of big sounds, “Jeep” is one of the quiet moments that lingers, inviting listeners to sit with their feelings and find comfort in the honesty of the journey. Furthermore, moments like “Korea” live in that world of introspection, and it's really nice to sit with. It feels very self reflective, as Petras yearns on the topic of love and heartbreak.

Perhaps the beauty of Detour lies not in its glossy sheen, but in its willingness to be vulnerable and real. But maybe that's the point: not every journey needs fireworks to be meaningful. Detour feels like watching someone you admire take bold steps, stumble, get back up, and keep dancing: reminding us that growth is often messy, imperfect, and worth celebrating. As a bunhead, I’m deeply proud, not just of the polished moments, but of the honesty, the risk taking, and the sheer heart Kim Petras pours into every track. If this album is a detour, it’s one that proves the road to self discovery is just as important as the final destination.

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️