Erasure Is Back With 'Nerves of Steel' Featuring Drag Race Stars, More

Fitting for current virtual times, the pioneering synth-pop group Erasure's upcoming album The Neon is "a place that lives in the imagination," according to press notes.

And the video for the track "Nerves of Steel" that dropped this week features 20 LGBTQ+ luminaries who've got plenty of artistry and imagination, including several stars of RuPaul's Drag Race, Amanda Lepore, and Candis Cayne.

Erasure, composed of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, has been churning out queer anthems since the mid-'80s, including "A Little Respect," "Chains of Love," and, later, "Chorus." More than 30 years after the band's debut album, Wonderland, was released, Bell and Clarke are in fabulous form with The Neon. And the queer-to-the-core video for "Nerves of Steel" is right in line with Erasure's canon.

Shot during quarantine, the video was produced and directed by Brad Hammer and produced and edited by Tyler Stone.

"The video shines a suitably neon light on the single's pop gleam," Bell said in a statement."This is my favorite track from the album, I am truly honored that all our LGBTQIA+ friends were so creative during lockdown and helped us with this joyful video. Thanks for creating such a lovely piece of art!"

Appearing in the video glammed to the nines are 6, Amanda Lepore, Aurora Sexton, Candis Cayne, Cara Melle, Cheddar Gorgeous, CT Hedden, Delta Work, Detox, Joey Jay, Kiki Xtravaganza, Manila Luzon, Mayhem Miller, Mercedes Tyler, Morgan Michaels, Nina West, Pandomonia, Pearl, Raja Gemini, Sherry Vine, and Widow Von 'Du.

"Erasure has been an integral part of my queer soundtrack from early on and it was a tremendous honor to be included in their new work!" Detox said about appearing in the video.

The Neon drops August 21. Watch the video for "Nerves of Steel" below.