Born in Bratislava and propelled into the spotlight by reality television, pop’s latest aspirant, Adéla, arrives with a debut album that possesses all the makings of an edgy cult favorite. Yet, despite the high-stakes narrative surrounding her rise, the music on PRIMA often struggles to find its own voice, leaving listeners with a project that feels more like a corporate product than a genuine artistic statement. The album PRIMA—a title that plays on her history as a dancer and her reality TV journey—attempts to craft a creation myth, but the result is frequently unremarkable.
The Weight of Reality TV
Adéla’s path to stardom was paved by The Debut: Dream Academy, a competition show produced by HYBE and Geffen that formed the group KATSEYE. While the show labeled her a professional, her early elimination was framed as a pivot toward a solo career. On PRIMA, she attempts to capitalize on this narrative, particularly on the single “Ain’t in LA,” where she sings of her upbringing and her desire to be a “nobody” rather than a carbon copy of others. However, the irony is that the album itself often feels like it is chasing the trends of the early 2010s rather than breaking new ground.
A Corporate Soundscape
Despite the involvement of notable producers like Dylan Brady of 100 gecs, the record suffers from a lack of identity. Tracks like “Boys” feel like a collection of recycled pop tropes—a dash of Missy Elliott here, a pinch of Britney Spears there—that ultimately blend into a focus-grouped sound. Even when she attempts to lean into a more provocative persona on tracks like “Hitachi,” the execution feels safe, lacking the bite one might expect from an artist whose breakout moment was defined by such raw energy.
The Search for Authenticity
The album’s most discomfiting moment comes with “Therapy,” a track that leans into the modern trend of “therapy pop.” While the anxiety and trauma described in the lyrics feel palpable, the song struggles to transcend the stock tropes of reality TV confessionals. It is a reminder that while Adéla has the technical skill to perform, she is still searching for the artistic depth required to make her music truly resonate. As it stands, PRIMA is a project that wants to break bad, but its legs remain firmly locked in first position.