Problématique

Between July and August 2022, Petras addressed rumours about the album's release on social media. She suggested the project was stalled by Amigo Records after a fan tweeted "R.I.P. PROBLÉMATIQUE! Please leave your flowers in the comments" along with a photoshopped image of a gravestone mentioning the album's title and lead single. Petras responded, with rose emoji, that she did not mind if her fans listened to the leaked songs. She was unable to release new music and described herself as "devastated", adding that the situation made her want to quit. In later tweets, she clarified that nothing had been scrapped but that she had not received approval to release any material, leaving the project in "limbo". Petras also told her fans she hoped they would enjoy the songs, explaining that they had been made for them.^[3]

In November 2022, Petras said of the project had been created during the COVID-19 lockdown as a form of escapism. She described Problématique as a "super Euro-pop, gay pop explosion" that she loved and was proud of, but added that she ultimately felt the time had come to pursue "something different".^[4] She later told People that after signing with Republic Records and working with new collaborators, she felt she had "new things to say" musically. She also said she wanted to change direction and had grown tired of making club-oriented songs, particularly after Slut Pop, around the time Problématique leaked.^[5]

Following her September 2022 release of "Unholy" with Sam Smith, Petras said in 2023 that the period had been "rough" for her. She explained that Problématique had recently leaked and was effectively scrapped, and that she had only recently signed with Republic Records, which led to pressure to develop a new album while the timing of her next release remained uncertain.^[6] After the album's initial scrapping, Petras released her debut studio album, Feed the Beast, in June 2023.^[7] Problématique was surprise-released on 18 September, due to "overwhelming 'fan demand'".^[8]

Approximately 80 songs were considered for Problématique. Petras worked with producers Alex Chapman and Aaron Joseph in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles.^[9] In late 2021, Hilton Dresden of Paper wrote, "But this year alone, amidst a raging pandemic, has seen [Petras] complete an 18-track album — her longest and, based on our conversation, the pop star's favorite body of work ever."^[10][11] In an interview with Dresden, Petras said of the album:

"... it's 18 songs, so it's the longest album I've ever made. Everything is very uptempo. It's all inspired by different genres of dance music, or electronic music, or EDM, techno. It's hard to talk about because every song is completely different from each other, but when you put them all together they make an experience, which I love."^[10]

Problématique is a dance-pop^[12] and dance record, featuring French house inspired elements; Jeff Nelson from People concluded that its result is "pure disco heaven".^[13] According to Atwood Magazine's Julia Dzurillay, the album's title is "a nod to her French-inspired lyrics that also poked fun at her 'problematic' work relationship with producer Dr. Luke".^[14] The record contains "tongue-in-cheek lyrics" and "camp delivery" elements, according to Nelson.^[13] Composed of ten tracks, the album's track list shared by Joseph in 2021 indicated that the early configuration of Problématique contained several songs that were later issued on Feed the Beast in June, including "Revelations", "Coconuts", and "Hit It from the Back". The eventual version of the album also omits "Future Starts Now", which had previously been planned as its lead single.^[15]

The start of the title track has someone asking their friend if they listen to Kim Petras.^[14] Other songs include "Je T'Adore" and "All She Wants" featuring Paris Hilton;^[16][17] Hilton described the latter song as a "sick song", saying thay she was "obsessed" with it.^[18] Dr. Luke, Aaron Joseph, and Vaughn Oliver co-produced the songs including "All She Wants", such as "Born Again", "Something About U", and "Dirty Things".^[15]

In August 2021, Petras teased the album's lead single, "Future Starts Now", with the video clip and caption "U little baguettes ready?".^[19] Inspired by France,^[20][21] it was released on August 27.^[22][23] In December 2022, she debuted "Coconuts" and "Hit It from the Back" at the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards,^[24] becoming the first trans artist to perform at the award show.^[25] According to People's Jack Irvin, "Coconuts" was released in December 2021 for the viral success, and "Hit It from the Back" became available to pre-save at Petras' website without a release date.^[16] They were later included on Petras' debut album, Feed the Beast.^[26][27]

In August 2022, Hilton confirmed her collaboration on "All She Wants". Sending Petras birthday wishes on social media, Hilton wrote, "Happy Birthday sis. Love you so much! So f---ing proud of you! Keep Sliving! So excited for our new song". The end of her post included a hashtag of the song's title.^[28]

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Clash	7/10[29]
DIY	[30]

Close

In a positive review, Robin Murray from Clash classified Problématique as "ridiculously entertaining" and a "perfect kiss off to [our] collective summer", praising most of the songs, while being more critical of some others, such as "Treat Me Like a Ho".^[29] Writing for DIY, Otis Robinson called the album a "course-correction" for Petras and stated that her "clubby hooks remain ecstatic", but thought the project felt "chained to its history without a proper roll-out".^[30]

Following the initial scrapping of the album, Harry Brocklehurst of The Tab wrote, "Problematique getting shelved is a horrific loss to the pop universe, and I will never forgive Kim's label for doing this era the injustice that it has. I hope one day the record surfaces on streaming. 'Future Starts Now' should be taught in lead single class at music school til the end of time."^[31]

All tracks are produced by Dr. Luke, Vaughn Oliver, and Aaron Joseph, except where noted.

• Dale Becker – mastering
• Serban Ghenea – mixing
• Clint Gibbs – engineering
• Kalani Thompson – engineering
• Tyler Sheppard – engineering
• Katie Harvey – mastering assistance
• Noah McCorkle – mastering assistance
• Bryce Bordone – mixing assistance
• Grant Horton – engineering assistance
• Ashlee Gibbs – production coordination
• Steven Klein – cover photography