For over three decades, the Red Hot Organization has been raising money and awareness for AIDS and public health, launching with Red Hot + Blue: a tribute to Cole Porter through fashion, art, and a compilation album of 20 acts. Since then, the organization has continued to issue numerous collections with albums dedicated to dance music, country music, "alt-rock," hip-hop/rap, electronic, jazz, Latin, and Brazilian, with tributes to Gershwin, Bach, Fela Kuti, Duke Ellington, and Arthur Russell. Over the last year the library grew to include four releases of music in tribute to Sun Ra. TRAИƧA, the latest, is a sweeping, kaleidoscopic celebration of trans identity and creativity. It is a six-LP boxed set with 46 tracks across a wide array of genres. The album champions trans rights while showcasing a staggering range of artistic collaboration. Featuring artists like Alan Sparhawk (Low), ANOHNI, Mary Lattimore, and Niecy Blues, the project highlights the profound contributions of independent label talent alongside some mainstream heavy hitters such as Sade, Jeff Tweedy, Andre 3000, and Sam Smith, while delivering a heartfelt statement of inclusion and community.
Musically, the album traverses a broad spectrum. Personal favorites include Rachika Nayar's haunting ambient reimagining of "Song to the Siren," where ethereal tones and heavy reverb transform the classic into a transcendent experience. Sharon Van Etten and Ezra Furman's rendition of Sinéad O'Connor's "Feel So Different" is equally arresting, their gut-wrenching performance imbued with the weight of the original and an urgency all their own. By contrast, Soft Ronin's "Rumblin'" offers a buoyant, pop-infused moment of joy, providing a welcome counterpoint to the album's introspective tones.
The vinyl edition divides this expansive collection into eight thematic "chapters," guiding us through a prismatic sonic journey. From the meditative depths of "Womb of the Soul" and "Survival" to the triumphant arcs of "Liberation" and "Reinvention," each chapter forms a distinct emotional and conceptual passage. This thoughtful structure enhances the listening experience, lending narrative flow to the album's ambitious scope.
The collaborative pairings often feel serendipitous. Jlin and Moor Mother's "We've Been Through So Much (Grief)" channels visceral intensity, capturing the ache and resilience of the trans experience. Laura Jane Grace's "Surrender Your Gender," a glam-punk powerhouse featuring Jayne County, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Kathi Wilcox (Bikini Kill, The Julie Ruin), Jay Dee Dougherty (Patti Smith Group, The Church), and Am Taylor, bursts with bold energy and defiance. Meanwhile, Sade's contribution, "Young Lion," her first new music in years, offers a deeply personal tribute to her trans son, Izaak, though the apparent use of autotune might divide listeners.
Much of TRAИƧA leans toward introspection and mellow tones, punctuated by moments that jar and excite. Gia Margaret's "Mourning Dove" incorporates gentle nature sounds, crafting a serene and intimate atmosphere. Julien Baker and Calvin Lauber's reflective cover of Belle and Sebastian's "Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying" adds another layer of poignant longing. The album invites deep reflection yet confidently ventures into dynamic and challenging artistic spaces.
While not every track will resonate equally with everyone, the overarching intent and sheer breadth of this project remain undeniably profound. TRAИƧA transcends being just a compilation; it's a sprawling manifesto of solidarity and creativity. A sonic testament to the richness of trans and non-binary artistry, it serves as both a celebration and a rallying cry. This poignant cultural artifact is as much about the ongoing fight for equality as it is a musical feast.
Explore the collection here.
