{{Short description|2019 EP by Divina de Campo}} {{good article}} {{Infobox album | name = Decoded | type = EP | artist = Divina de Campo | cover = Decoded - Divina de Campo.jpg | alt = | released = {{start date|df=yes|2019|11|29}} | recorded = | studio = | genre = | length = 17:58 | label = PEG | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Red & Silver | next_year = 2020 | misc = {{Singles | name = Decoded | type = EP | single1 = A Drag Race Song | single1date = 22 November 2019 | single2 = Gratify | single2date = 26 June 2020 | single3 = | single3date = }} }}
'''''Decoded''''' is the debut EP by Divina de Campo. It was released by PEG Records on 29 November 2019. Divina de Campo is the stage name of Owen Farrow, a British drag performer who competed in the first series of ''RuPaul's Drag Race UK'' (2019). The EP consists of six songs, which were written by Tomas Costanza, Paul Coultrup, Farrow, and Ashley Levy. "A Drag Race Song" and "Gratify" were released as singles and received music videos as well as remixes. ''Decoded'' received positive reviews from music critics.
==Composition and lyrics== [[File:TomasCostanza.jpg|thumb|Tomas Costanza co-wrote all six songs on the EP.]]
Approximately 18 minutes long, ''Decoded'' has six tracks, with them being performed by Divina de Campo (the stage name of British drag queen Owen Richard Farrow) and written by Tomas Costanza, Paul Coultrup, Farrow, and Ashley Levy.<ref name=Apple>{{cite web |title=Decoded – EP |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/decoded-ep/1488403783 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230739/https://music.apple.com/au/album/decoded-ep/1488403783 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |title=Divina De Campo: Decoded |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/decoded-mw0003340600 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230730/https://www.allmusic.com/album/decoded-mw0003340600 |url-status=live }}</ref>
"A Drag Race Song" parodies music released by previous ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' contestants. Divina de Campo described it as a "tongue-in-cheek poke at everybody",<ref name="Parodies">{{cite news |last1=Damshenas |first1=Sam |title=Premiere: Divina De Campo parodies former contestants in hilarious A Drag Race Song video |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/premiere-divina-de-campo-parodies-former-contestants-in-hilarious-a-drag-race-song-video/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |work=Gay Times |issn=0950-6101 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230805/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/premiere-divina-de-campo-parodies-former-contestants-in-hilarious-a-drag-race-song-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Attitude'' called the song a "catchy pop tune" that showcases her "high soprano and 4-octave range".<ref name=Attitude/> The song's lyrics mention fellow ''RuPaul's Drag Race UK'' contestants Blu Hydrangea, Crystal, Gothy Kendoll, Scardey Kat and The Vivienne, and suggest Divina de Campo feels disliked by ''Drag Race'' judge Michelle Visage.<ref name=Attitude/>
"Gratify" was described by Sam Damshenas of ''Gay Times'' as an "operatic dance anthem" and by ''Out in Jersey''{{'s}} Michael Cook as a "dance stomper".<ref name="GT">{{cite news |last1=Damshenas |first1=Sam |title=Premiere: Vogue meets opera in Divina De Campo's insane Gratify music video |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/premiere-vogue-meets-opera-in-divina-de-campos-insane-gratify-music-video/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |work=Gay Times |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230716/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/premiere-vogue-meets-opera-in-divina-de-campos-insane-gratify-music-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cook">{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Michael |title=Pop stars find their own unique voices |url=https://outinjersey.net/pop-stars-find-their-own-unique-voices/ |website=Out in Jersey |date=26 March 2020 |access-date=28 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230741/https://outinjersey.net/pop-stars-find-their-own-unique-voices/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Divina de Campo said of the song: "Lyrically, it's that desire to give people exactly what they want. Musically, it's a mixture of what my career has been up until this point; classical and mainstream pop work. It's quite personal, but also not that personal!"<ref name=GT/> Damshenas called "Pocket Rocket Princess" a "pop anthem",<ref name=GT/> while Cook described "Down with You" as a "dance floor bopper showing definite influences" of Blondie and the Scissor Sisters.<ref name=Cook/>
==Release and promotion== [[File:Darnley stage 3.jpg|thumb|''The music video for "Gratify" features fashion inspired by Elizabeth I (pictured: The "Darnley Portrait" of Elizabeth I, c. 1575)'']]''Decoded'' was released on 29 November 2019,<ref name="Apple" /> following the release of "A Drag Race Song" as the lead single on 22 November.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Drag Race Song – Single |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/a-drag-race-song-single/1488405245 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230717/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/a-drag-race-song-single/1488405245 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2020, Divina de Campo included the song on her "self-isolation playlist" published by ''Billboard Pride''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Daw |first1=Stephen |title=Divina de Campo Explores 'Different Moods' With Her Self-Isolation Playlist |magazine=Billboard |issn=0006-2510 |date=3 April 2020 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9350302/divina-de-campo-self-isolation-playlist |access-date=28 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230730/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9350302/divina-de-campo-self-isolation-playlist |url-status=live }}</ref> A 12" format of ''Decoded'' was released for Record Store Day in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Here's the Full List of Record Store Day 2020 Releases |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/heres_the_unofficial_list_of_2020_record_store_day_releases |access-date=27 December 2020 |work=Exclaim! |date=20 February 2020 |issn=1207-6600 |first1=Brock |last1=Thiessen |first2=Calum |last2=Slingerland |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230747/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/heres_the_unofficial_list_of_2020_record_store_day_releases |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Official Charts Company: *{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Jack |title=Record Store Day 2020: The full list of 570 exclusive music releases revealed |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/record-store-day-2020-the-full-list-of-570-exclusive-music-releases-revealed__28938/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 December 2020 |date=5 March 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230720/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/record-store-day-2020-the-full-list-of-570-exclusive-music-releases-revealed__28938/ |url-status=live }} *{{cite web |last1=Copsey |first1=Rob |title=Record Store Day: Full list of exclusive music releases for the first 2020 event on August 29 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/record-store-day-full-list-of-exclusive-music-releases-for-the-first-2020-event-on-august-29__30858/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 December 2020 |date=27 August 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230745/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/record-store-day-full-list-of-exclusive-music-releases-for-the-first-2020-event-on-august-29__30858/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The "SIBS Music Remix" of "A Drag Race Song" was released on 15 May 2020,<ref>{{cite web |title=A Drag Race Song (SIBS Music Remix) – Single |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/a-drag-race-song-sibs-music-remix-single/1510531835 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230748/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/a-drag-race-song-sibs-music-remix-single/1510531835 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''Gratify'' EP featuring the original track and three remixes was released on 26 June.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Interview: Divina de Campo on New Music and Why She'd 'Love' to Do Eurovision |journal=Attitude |date=24 June 2020 |url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/interview-divina-de-campo-on-new-music-and-why-shed-love-to-do-eurovision-1/23429/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230721/https://attitude.co.uk/article/interview-divina-de-campo-on-new-music-and-why-shed-love-to-do-eurovision-1/23429/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gratify – EP |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gratify-ep/1518596680 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230751/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gratify-ep/1518596680 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Divina De Campo: Gratify |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gratify-mw0003401489 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230751/https://www.allmusic.com/album/gratify-mw0003401489 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The music video for "A Drag Race song" was released on 4 December 2019,<ref name=GT/><ref name="Daw">{{cite magazine |last1=Daw |first1=Stephen |title=Divina De Campo Breaks Every Fourth Wall in Hilarious 'A Drag Race Song' Video |magazine=Billboard |date=4 December 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8545418/divina-de-campo-a-drag-race-song-video |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230721/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8545418/divina-de-campo-a-drag-race-song-video |url-status=live }}</ref> coinciding with the airing of the final episode of the first series of ''RuPaul's Drag Race UK'' in the United States.<ref name="Attitude">{{cite journal |title=Exclusive: Go Behind-the-Scenes of Divine de Campo's Single 'A Drag Race Song' – Watch |journal=Attitude |date=13 December 2019 |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/exclusive-go-behind-the-scenes-of-divina-de-campos-single-a-drag-race-song-watch/22363/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |issn=1353-1875 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230724/https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/exclusive-go-behind-the-scenes-of-divina-de-campos-single-a-drag-race-song-watch/22363/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The visual has features from ''Drag Race'' and music videos released by other contestants, and sees Divina de Campo "spinning them into a fourth-wall breaking extravaganza, as she constantly changes outfits and even seems to [mimic] well-worn lip sync dance moves from the show".<ref name=Daw/> She showcases multiple looks, including one in which she has an orange beard and hairy armpits,<ref name=Parodies/> and wears various red wigs.<ref name=Attitude/> Damshenas described the video as "hilarious",<ref name=Parodies/> and said that it "pays tribute to camp, burlesque, femme and punk performers".<ref name=Parodies/>
"Gratify" served as the single from the EP and received a music video as well.<ref name=GT/> Damshenas said the video "serves superhero-realness" with fashion inspired by Elizabeth I and has a "sickening squad" of dancers from the House of Suarez vogueing. He called the "eerie" visual "one of the fiercest (and batshit crazy) music videos of the year".<ref name=GT/>
==Critical reception== ''Decoded'' was met with positive reviews from music critics and ''Drag Race'' fans, according to Damshenas, who described "A Drag Race Song" as "hilarious" and "Gratify" as "infectious".<ref name=GT/> ''Billboard''{{'s}} Stephen Daw also called the former track "hilarious".<ref name=Daw/> Cook said "A Drag Race Song" has all the characteristics of a "quintessential" ''Drag Race'' song and complimented Divina de Campo's "growling and impressive" vocal performance. He said the EP "turns the standard ''Drag Race'' competitor albums on their ears" and showcases the drag queen's versatility as a singer. Cook called "Validation" an "electronica gem" and considered "Down with You" the EP's best song.<ref name=Cook/>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Decoded'' track listing | total_length = 17:58
| all_writing = Tomas Costanza / Paul Coultrup / Owen Farrow / Ashley Levy
| title1 = A Drag Race Song | length1 = 3:13
| title2 = Gratify | length2 = 3:35
| title3 = Elevate Her | length3 = 2:42
| title4 = Validation | length4 = 3:09
| title5 = Pocket Rocket Princess | length5 = 2:27
| title6 = Down with You | length6 = 2:52 }}
Track listing adapted from AllMusic and the Apple Music<ref name=Apple/><ref name=AllMusic/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{YouTube|id=Aqipzks1xpo|title=Divina De Campo – A Drag Race Song (Official Music Video)}} * {{YouTube|id=fnUWqwLFFdg|title=Gratify}} * {{cite journal |last1=Lowe |first1=Adam |title=Interview: Divina de Campo: 'A clash of cultures' |journal=Vada |date=29 May 2020 |url=https://vadamagazine.com/entertainment/television/rupauls-drag-race/interview-divina-de-campo-a-clash-of-cultures}}
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Category:2019 debut EPs Category:Drag (entertainment)-related music Category:LGBTQ-related albums Category:Producer Entertainment Group albums Category:RuPaul's Drag Race UK