In a year already full of surprise releases and viral moments, D’Lourdes’ debut album You Get It or You Don’t lands like a manifesto—gritty, gorgeously offbeat, and uncompromising. The non-binary Filipino-American artist, best known for their viral 2022 self-titled EP, delivers a full-length that transcends genre in favor of radical vulnerability. From the opening track, it’s clear D’Lourdes didn’t make this album for the masses—they made it for those who know what it means to exist outside the margins.
Sonically, You Get It or You Don’t fuses the bite of 2000s alternative rock with deep pockets of funk, R&B, and theatrical flair. You hear echoes of Alanis and Paramore, yes—but more importantly, you hear an artist refusing to dilute themselves. This is music that’s at once deeply personal and widely resonant, with standouts like “One of the Boys” tackling gender dysphoria and “Get Hurt” simmering in slow-burn seduction. Each track is a lens into D’Lourdes’ fluid identity, never asking for permission.
The emotional weight is underscored by D’Lourdes’ stunning vocal range, which moves effortlessly from delicate falsetto to full-bodied belt. Their background as a classically trained actor (most notably on Broadway’s Here Lies Love) adds theatrical precision without ever feeling performative. It’s not just performance—it’s catharsis. “I made it for the misfits,” they say, and that intention bleeds through every track like ink on paper.
As part of the album rollout, D’Lourdes is taking the stage at Arlene’s Grocery on July 20 and The Sultan Room on September 25—two intimate NYC venues perfect for the rawness this record demands. Early ticket sales suggest that fans, especially those in the queer and BIPOC communities, are eager to experience the songs live. Vinyl pre-orders launch in July, and more visuals are on the way, suggesting this is only the beginning of D’Lourdes’ breakout era.
In a musical landscape crowded with trends and algorithms, D’Lourdes dares to be fully, fiercely human. You Get It or You Don’t isn’t just an album title—it’s a challenge, a mantra, and a mirror. And if you do get it? You’ll know exactly why it matters.
