Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 and current title-holder of America's Next Drag Superstar, Sharon Needles has just expanded her empire by releasing her debut album, PG-13. Sharon, who underneath all the make-up and wigs is Aaron Coady, debuted last year on RuPaul's Drag Race as an underdog. She walked in with a cheap Halloween costume and referred to herself as "Beautiful, Spooky and Stupid." She began winning challenges, and proving to all the other girls that she was a fierce contender. She quickly became the one person that all of America connected with, much in the way people connect with GaGa because both of these women were outcasts, and they gave people a voice. The crowning of Sharon Needles as America's Next Drag Superstar was a huge moment in the history of the show because it proved that there is not just one type of drag. Sharon has been a huge inspiration to people all over the world.
This needs to be said: Sharon Needles is the first winner in the history of the show to actually do something with the crown. No disrespect to the other winners, but have they done anything significant? Sharon has worked non-stop since the finale and is, quite frankly, building her own empire. She's taking advantage of all the fame and attention and loyal support from her fans and turned it into a legacy. She will be a model for all the winners to come. As of Wednesday evening the album has risen to #5 on the iTunes Pop charts taking over the likes of Adele and P!nk, an impressive feat for an unsigned artist without a massive label backing the project. The album is actually a fantastic piece of work, a collage of different sounds that all represent Sharon to a T. Sharon has raised the standard for all the queens, and she proves with PG-13 that anyone can make their dreams come true if they work hard for it.

1. This Club Is a Haunted House (feat. RuPaul) - 9/10

The first single off the album could not be a better way to start the album. Not only is it an incredibly infectious and catchy dance tune, but it could not be a better way to introduce who Sharon is. The kooky title and Halloween/macabre-themed lyrics set the stage. RuPaul's spoken intro says that he created a monster, and ends it by altering his catchphrase to reflect Sharon: "You better burn, witch!" The song has a great guitar in the background that gives the song the oomph it needs to stand out. The hook won't be leaving your head any time soon.


2. Call Me On the Ouija Board - 10/10

This is my favorite song on the album, probably because it's a fun club song that is so catchy you can't stop listening to it. The hook is Sharon singing the ABC's in-between chanting "Call me on the ouija board." It's a song about two people being in different dimensions and they don't need a phone to talk: they need a ouija board. Sharon's hilarious personality is at work on this song for sure.

3. Dead Girls Never Say No - 8/10

Originally meant to be the first single, 'Dead Girls Never Say No' is one of Sharon's favorite tracks on the album. This is another big club song where Sharon's vocals get drowned out by the big production. It's her twisted humor at work once again where she says that dead girls never say no so it's basically a win/win situation. It's not personally one of my favorites, but it's very good.

4. Drink Till I Die - 8/10

On this heavy synth-driven song, Sharon sings "I think I love you, I think I need you" as a woman in the background sings "DUI." This song is one of the best songs for Sharon's vocals because she has a very sweet, soft voice which flows perfectly over the very atmospheric beat of the song.

5. I Wish I Were Amanda Leopre (feat. Amanda Lepore) - 9/10

This song was a huge accomplishment for Sharon because one of her idols has always been the transgender model and nightlife provocateur Amanda Lepore. This song is basically about looking up to your idol and wishing you could be them for just one night. It's a song that I think everyone can relate to. It's also got one of the best beats on the album - very European dance/club sound. Everything about this song is just perfect.

6. Why Do You Think You Are Nuts? - 6/10

This is the first time on the album that we get to hear a different sound from Sharon, one that I felt would permeate this record more. It's a drastic change of pace from the earlier tracks, and Sharon delves into the more punk rock genre that I'm sure she is more at home with. Despite this drastic change, it's interesting to hear the diversity in Sharon's sound. This is why this album is so great because it is the exact album Sharon wanted to make, not one that a label would have restricted her in areas in order to appeal to a certain demographic. It's not my type of music, but I admire her drive to sing what she wants.
7. Disco Ball - 9/10

This is another one of my favorite tracks on the album. With a name like 'Disco Ball' you know it's going to be an upbeat club track that'll have you booty shakin'. Sharon sings "I'm gonna take you for the spin of your life. I'm gonna make you say oh oh oh oh. I'm your disco ball." I'm totally addicted to it because it's this great, cute love song that uses a disco ball in such a great metaphor. And I just imagine Sharon singing this with Alaska in mind and it warms my heart.

8. Dressed to Kill - 8/10

Everyone has that one look in their wardrobe that they pull out when they need to make a statement, right? Well Sharon's gonna thrown on her best outfit and go "bang bang bang." I really love the sound of this track because it's got some dubstep elements to it mixed with gritty vocals. It's very much a glam rock sound but thrown into the future. Very fun song!

9. Let's All Die - 8/10

This song also delves into dubstep, but a bit more so than 'Dressed to Kill'. Continuing with the "spooky" character of Sharon Needles, this song expresses how we should all die because "being dead is better than being alive." It's a cheeky track with a devilishly fun beat. A mix of everything that's good in the world.

10. Kai Kai (feat. Ana Matronic and Alaska Thunderfuck) - 9/10

You can't have a drag queen album without making a song about drag culture right? For those of you who are unaware, a kai kai is when two drag queens have sex. Alaska is Sharon's boyfriend and is currently competing on Season V of Drag Race. You may know Ana Matronic better as one of the lead singers of the Scissor Sisters. 'Kai Kai' is a great dance song with an incredibly catchy chorus. This one you won't be able to stop singing. It's hilariously funny and quirky, and may not be the greatest song lyrically you've ever heard, but the novelty of it is enough to make it one of my favorites on the album.

11. Everyday Is Halloween (feat. Armen Ra) - 10/10

Sharon originally released this song back on Halloween as a treat for her fans. It's completely different than anything else on the album. It's an eerie, haunting track that is also more of what I thought this album would consist of. Despite it not being a regular dance track, I think it's a masterpiece of a song. Sharon's vocals are on display here and they sound beautiful. Check out my full review HERE.

12. Hail Satan! (feat. Jayne County) - 7/10

Rounding out the album is by far the most different and most polarizing song. 'Hail Satan!' is this crazy punk rock song that will take you by surprise. For those of you that don't know, Jayne County is rock's first transsexual artist and another one of Sharon's influences. I personally don't care too much for the song, and I don't think it was the best way to end the album, but I think as bookends, this and 'This Club Is a Haunted House' gives the listener a pretty solid idea of what the album is like.

Tracks to Check Out: 'This Club Is a Haunted House', 'Call Me On the Ouija Board', 'I Wish I Were Amanda Lepore', 'Disco Ball', 'Kai Kai' and 'Everyday Is Halloween'

Overall Rating: 9/10