The album is a celebration of love and music which has influenced his career over the past 25 years. It was produced, arranged, composed and performed entirely by Darren and recorded in his home studio in Los Angeles. It features the singles ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’, ‘Do You Remember?’, ‘All You Pretty Things’, and the tender new single ‘Feels Like It’s Over’.
‘Homosexual’ highlights Darren’s versatility as songwriter and singer – it’s deeply rooted in electronic energy with pulsating beats, but also features classic Darren Hayes ballads soaring with pop melodies and sensibilities.
“This feels like my first solo record in some ways because it’s the first time I’ve been able to sit down in the studio with drum machines and synthesisers and create a body of work completely on my own,” Darren says.
“That process brought me back to my teen experience of listening to albums like ‘Faith’ by George Michael or ’Sign O The Times’ by Prince. I wanted to convey that same feeling of real intimacy and complete artistic control and artistic freedom.
“Having been away from the world for 10 years, doing this seemed like the only thing I hadn’t done yet in my career and the feeling of rebellious emancipation was something that I was desperate to experience in both my personal and public life.”
A driving force behind the new album is the renewed strength and confidence Darren has embraced as a part of the queer community.
“I named my album ‘Homosexual’ for a variety of reasons,” he explains. “The most obvious, is that I’m a gay man who grew up in an era when that word was used to shame and vilify people like me, so I wanted to reclaim it. But perhaps the most important reason I chose this title is that in 2022 I’m living in a time and in a country where the freedoms of LGBTQI+ people are more at risk than they’ve ever been.”
“Moments like the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Florida, or the constant attacks on trans people, have made it clear to me that now is the time to be as loud as possible about who I am.”
‘Homosexual’ is out now.
Darren Hayes 2023 Australia Tour
Tue 31 Jan - RAC Arena (Perth)
Sat 4 Feb - Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Melbourne)
Tue 7 Feb - Aware Super Theatre (Sydney)
Wed 8 Feb - Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Sat 11 Feb - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sun 12 Feb - Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
