Jen Kirkman starts her latest album with a headfirst plunge into her prepared material about the timing of climate change. The comedian is asking scientists how much indulgence can she have in relation to the end of the world. If it’s so close to collapsing, she begs, “When can I start smoking again?” She is revealing her exit strategy, and it includes debauchery. The theme is clear and in the title. The album, I Am Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine), releases on August 5th. Originally, it came out as a special on Netflix.
The album feels like a verbal memoir for Kirkman. Each bit stands out like an essay from her own experience. She describes her fear of dumb people. She satirizes marriage. She riffs on both America’s stance on it and her own shifting attitude as a divorcee. Kirkman points out, “No party starts with church.” She talks about the decision to not have kids and to date much younger. She quips on her weight, which is “healthy,” and her aging which includes gray pubes. She is funny and personal. The New York Times Bestseller speaks to the human condition. Her delivery is one that goes beyond a one line wrap up. It is contextual, and it glimmers with laughter found in truth and situation.
Kirkman’s perspective as an educated, independent woman is a significant one. Historically speaking, women have been expected to get married and have children. It’s a recent occurrence to see women vocalize their sexuality and find comfort in solitude especially from a stage for all to hear. As the comedian argues, “There is no word for a man in his forties who dates younger. That is just called a man.” Equality among the sexes is still a work in progress, and this album is a witty mile marker to show the changes that have happened. While the humor may be biased or centric to a woman’s taste, it is strong, teasing commentary. Kirkman even chastises the idea of a spinster, saying, “When a single woman dies, a cat appears.”
As Kirkman nears the end of the album, she remarks on her grandmother’s death. She mentions how influential her grandmother had been in pushing for independence as an old lady. Her grandfather had died at least a good thirty or so years before Nana. He had his life outside of his marriage being the breadwinner. The haunted Nana wished her dead husband to, “Go to hell, Freddie.” The end of her set comes full circle, describing the end of a life and without a blunt stroke, the changes in society norms. This album is not just about Kirkman’s own declaration of being okay with dying alone. It welcomes everyone to feel fine about it and to join the club. Judging by the audience’s warm laughter, they are right there with her every step of the way.
You can pick up Jen Kirkman: I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine) right here.
