Kim Petras is bubblegum gloss with grit – which doesn’t sound very appetising but makes for some of the best new pop music to hit the scene since Britney. One of the industry’s brightest new talents, the German artists’ playful, unapologetic music has taken her from Cologne to LA with infectious chart-hit singles like “Heart to Break” and “Feeling of Falling”.

Despite being dubbed “the princess of pop”, her bold determination and astute passion for the legacy of pop music likens her more to the royal cavalry. Petras’, who first gained global media attention as one of the youngest individuals to undergo gender reassignment surgery, has worked since she was a teen to create a body of powerhouse singles that cemented her reputation as an accomplished musician in her own right. She is part of the wave of new musicians who release all their music independently, garnering an impressive 140 million streams across various platforms.

While she’s a poster child of the digital pop age, her music reflects a love for the great female icons she grew up idolising. Listening to Petras’ music you hear the influence of Cher, Britney, Madonna and Kylie, as she approaches the tried and true pop chemistry with her own downbeat diva twist. With her debut full-length studio album, Petras shows signs that she is on her way to joining the ranks of these musical greats herself. “Clarity” features 38 minutes of escapist pop gold – a versatile collection of work that she has been teasing with singles for the past year. The album brings together her signature hooks with pulsing club beats and smooth R&B influences that are easy to listen and empowering. In it, Petras pours out her emotions and heartbreak with unwavering sass and shimmery vocals that remind us sometimes the best way to rebel against the troubles of the world is to give it the finger and have a bit of fun.