TRACE—the innovative Cologne-based songwriter, producer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist—unveils the first single from her upcoming sophomore transgressive pop album, t4tears, set to drop on January 24. Dive deeper below for all the links.
In this compelling album, TRACE collaborates with her chosen family of fellow queer creatives, following her vibrant debut in 2023, and electrifying performances at venues like the Volksbühne Berlin, the Cologne Philharmonic, and the United Queer Festival Whole.
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t4tears embarks on a profound journey through self-discovery, identity, grief, and healing, offering a poignant meditation on the strength found within queer communities. Standout tracks such as “my hubris” featuring Cat Jugravu, “Letters To Trace (13),” “t4thirteen,” and “Last of me” with بنیامین embody the rawness of personal trauma and vulnerability, culminating in the fiery finale “Ice melts” with Hanitra Wagner. In doing so, TRACE reconnects with her younger trans self, harnessing the power of her inner child to navigate her artistic narrative.
TRACE poignantly shares, “It’s a statement to the power of trans and queer communities and how they can save us… I don’t think I would have survived the first three years of transition and daily transphobia if I didn’t have them around me.” Following the bold energy of her debut album FUCKING AND DREAMING, t4tears stands as her most daring and intimate work yet.
Exploring the themes of self-discovery and identity, TRACE embraces the complexities of grief and healing. Drawing from the dynamic electronic soundscapes featured on FUCKING AND DREAMING, she now paints with a broader palette, delving into a more intimate realm. Gathered around her, a circle of fellow queer artists collaborates on this masterpiece, highlighting the significance of collective experience.
In this project, TRACE invites listeners to reconnect with her younger trans self, grounding her sonic expression in the sounds and emotions that sculpted her formative years: acoustic guitars and candid diary entries blossoming into visceral lyrics. In “my hubris,” featuring Berlin-based Romanian artist Cat Jugravu, she confesses, “I always thought that love is for the other and not for myself.” Meanwhile, in the uplifting pop-punk anthem “Letters To Trace (13),” she declares, “I want to love you better, now I’m holding letters in my hand.”
With intentional glitches and a breaking of the fourth wall, the album opener “t4thirteen” delves into the disjointed nature of childhood memories while reflecting on the depths of personal trauma. By spotlighting her chosen family as collaborators, t4tears amplifies the necessity of interdependence and community among queer artists. TRACE emphasizes: “It’s a statement to the power of trans and queer communities and how they can save us because I feel like my chosen family has done that for me. I don’t think I would have survived the first three years of transition and daily transphobia if I didn’t have them around me.” Against a serene backdrop of birdsong in “Last of me,” بنیامین lyrically expresses: “Crawling through the ashes of what’s been here before, motherless child, you’re reaching out your hand, but the world seems to ignore.”
