Unfiltered. Empowered. Real.
That’s how Jim Verraros, an “American Idol” season one alum, describes his latest EP, Explicit, which dropped Aug. 8.
"’Explicit’ is about being sexy and unapologetic, but it's also about freedom and being uninhibited to do or say the things you want,” he said. “It's about being unfiltered, empowered...real.”
The 42-year-old singer doesn’t just want you to listen to his new music — he wants you to feel it.
“I hope ‘Explicit’ evokes any and all emotions. I want it to resonate,” he said. “I want people to dance to it, to fuck to it, to work out to it, to be inspired by it. I just hope it makes people feel good. We need some fun and joy, especially right now in our community — so I hope this does that.”
Of course, Verraros was never shy about getting explicit. On his first album, Rollercoaster, which was released 20 years ago, one of his songs “So Deep” was pretty explicit.
The lyrics included:
Throw me on the bed and tie me up
Handcuffs 'till i can't get enough
“I was pretty ballsy to put out a song like ‘So Deep’ 20 years ago,” he said.
The six-track EP is packed with sweaty summer singles like “Move/On,” “Good Boy,” “Blow,” and “Scandal.”
It also includes recent club favorites “Take My Bow” and “Pyramid,” which Verraros released in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Both songs became dance floor staples across the U.K.
For Verraros, the overwhelmingly positive reception to those two singles was a turning point.
“You always hope for the best when it comes to audience reaction, so when it was so positive, I thought — yeah, go make that record,” he said.
The road back to music though took time.
Verraros shot to fame at 19 as a fan favorite on “Idol,” his sign-language performance for his deaf parents earning national attention. Though out to producers and castmates, the public didn’t know he was gay — until he came out in The Advocate after the season wrapped. That decision cemented him as the first openly gay finalist in the show’s history.
Outside of music, Verraros starred in queer films like Eating Out and Another Gay Sequel, and performed on Pride stages before eventually stepping back from the industry.
In 2023, he returned with “Take My Bow.”
For fans old and new, he has one message: “If you’ve supported me at any time — whether for ‘Idol,’ ‘Rollercoaster,’ the ‘Eating Out’ movies, or you’re discovering me now — thank you. This one is for you.”
Jim Verraros’ Explicit can be found on all streaming platforms or visit JimVerrarosMusic.com. Follow him on Instagram @jimverraros.
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