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Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Image 2 of 29 Image 3 of 29 Image 4 of 29 Image 5 of 29 Image 6 of 29 Image 7 of 29 Image 8 of 29 Image 9 of 29 Image 10 of 29 Image 11 of 29 Image 12 of 29 Image 13 of 29 Image 14 of 29 Image 15 of 29 Image 16 of 29 Image 17 of 29 Image 18 of 29 Image 19 of 29 Image 20 of 29 Image 21 of 29 Image 22 of 29 Image 23 of 29 Image 24 of 29 Image 25 of 29 Image 26 of 29 Image 27 of 29 Image 28 of 29 Image 29 of 29 Adore Delano brings the 'Party' and the pop power 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

Adore Delano spent much of her time on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” harnessing her powers. Namely, that undefinable, unmistakable “it” factor that separates us regular folk from goddesses. Alas, she didn’t take the crown. But Delano is still intent on becoming the next drag superstar.

“Adore is a character, and this (album) is what she goes through,” Delano told me recently. “I wanna cross over into the mainstream. I think this is a perfect opportunity.”

Indeed, “Till Death Do Us Party,” released this week, has already taken Delano’s career to new heights. It’s been sitting atop the iTunes dance albums chart since its release and hovering near the all-genre Top 10. (It’s also been charting well all over the world.) It’s the kind of success Delano, whose real name is Danny Noriega, likely hoped for as a Season 7 “American Idol” contestant.

Delano drew a capacity crowd during a May appearance at South Beach nightclub, where she guest judged the Pride Superstar singing competition, performed and met fans until the wee hours of the morning. She returns July 5 to South Beach nightclub (and will likely draw an even bigger crowd).

Here’s a quick, easy comparison: Imagine Britney Spears with a real personality, actual vocal talent and lucidness. Or Gwen Stefani unconcerned with radio play and chart positions. Delano has a rich, raspy tone that takes the material to surprisingly soulful places. She’s alternately hopeful and heartbroken, forceful and fragile. It makes for one of the most satisfying dance-pop albums of the year.

“DTF,” the down-and-dirty first single, played smartly on Delano’s Angel Baby persona, the homegirl from Azusa that helped make her a YouTube star. It also mines the sound that’s currently making Iggy Azalea a buzzy chart-topper.

The upbeat tunes, including “Speak My Sex” and “Party,” are fun and campy and, yes, fierce. “Calling All Goddesses” even riffs on Spears/Will.i.am collaboration “Scream and Shout.” But they never veer too far into novelty or caricature, which is what most “Drag Race” graduates rely on when releasing post-show music. “The Creeps” has a spookhouse, Sharon Needles vibe — a compliment, to be sure. (The Season 4 winner also released a terrific album of dark dance-pop.)

“I Look (Expletive) Cool” riffs on the “ratchet couture” image Delano showcased on “Drag Race” and features Season 5 standout Alaska, a kindred spirit of sorts. It’s silly and sassy and a ridiculous amount of fun. (There better be a music video.) “Hello, I Love You” is another highlight, a stalker anthem disguised as a sweet valentine of a song. (“I like the outfit you got yesterday at 12:23/And my favorite thing to do is watch you dream in your sleep.”)

There’s a dark, arresting cover of Shannon’s 1984 hit “Give Me Tonight.” The album’s emotional centerpiece, however, is “I Adore U,” as good a song as anything from so many A-list pop tarts. But Delano one-ups them by infusing it with smart touches of hip-hop and soul. It’s an instantly addictive track that would already be scaling the upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 if it was sung by Katy Perry or Miley Cyrus.

Get ready, girls, Adore is coming for you.





