[rating=4]
Released November 29, 2013
With a co-writing credit on every track, Britney Jean is not a return to Britney the Pop Princess, but the dawn of Britney the woman.

“Britney Jean feels to me like the first album Britney has had any control over since her highly publicised breakdown and heavy sedation.”

[rating=4]
Released October 29, 2013
Night Time, My Time is a surprisingly taut guitar, drums and synths album. It has an impressive, genuine indie rock-pop authenticity.

“What Fererrai has done with Night Time, My Time has made a record where it isn’t necessary to rely on visual props to fully relate to and enjoy the music. In that way it seems quite old fashioned and there is little doubt whilst listening to it that she loves these songs as well as the process of making them come to life.”

[rating=4]
Released February 22, 2013
The Strong Boys EP is 9 minutes of queercore that packs a punch. Dublin’s answer to legendary hardcore queer rockers Limp Wrist.

“Probably the hardest, fastest, meanest slab of wax to come out of the queercore scene. Packed with lighting fast punk rhythms, heavy guitars, growling vocals, and a dedication to queer liberation, this record isn’t for the weak of heart.”

[rating=5]
Released November 29, 2013
Rebecca Ferguson’s Freedom takes you on a genuine and emotional journey, with themes of melancholy, acceptance and empowerment.

“In a time, where the shock-tactics of Miley Cyrus are touted as female empowerment, women young and old would do very well to take this tremendous, genuine and emotional journey with Ferguson.”

Nothing to Say.

It seems that nobody likes reading the comments section under articles, writes Polari’s editor, so why keep them?

“There will always be interesting points made in the comments section, just as there will always be interesting conversations in social media forums. But those comments are invariably buried under a torrent of dreck. The very immediacy of the comments section nurtures the instant, single-minded opinion.”

Reassessing Male Subjectivity.

Jonathan Kemp introduces his new book, The Penetrated Male, in which he reclaims the male body from modern masculine subjectivity.

“We will challenge your ideals of beauty, gender and sex. We will move you, with flesh, skill and the opportunity to expand your mind and heart.”

Far From The Tree.

The winner of this year’s Green Carnation Prize was Andrew Solomon’s Far From The Tree, a book that is so powerful it could change your life.

“In exploring categories of physical difference, and conditions that do not reflect the unforgiving mainstream, Solomon makes familiar that which is different.”

A Boy’s Own Story, Part I.

Edmund White talks to Michael Langan about the thirtieth anniversary of A Boy’s Own Story, and how men and women have to learn to be gay. Part I of II.

“I felt, like most other gay people at the time, that we became gay not because some attractive older person showed us the way but in spite of all the horrible examples of gay lives that we encountered as children. Despite all that you still have a drive to become gay and it might be painful experience but people aren’t put off.”

Off the Virtual Page.

Today, December 3, is Polari Magazine‘s 5th birthday. Polari’s editor writes about how it stepped off the virtual pages this year and into the sensual world.

“Polari Magazine has had a whirlwind 5th year, and that’s thanks to the commitment of its contributors, who have kept the content fresh and alive as we diversified into projects that stepped away from its day-to-day running.”

Submission and power.

Shlomo talks about working with Björk, being crowned the World Loop Station Champion, and writing a beatboxing score for The Little Mermaid.

“Beatboxing is a live art form in its nature, in that it’s more than just the music, and you have to witness it live to really get it. But it’s also prone to being seen as a gimmick or a novelty act.”