Culture

With the 2025 Grammys in the rearview, it’s time to start looking for new hits from queer artists that will nab a few nominations in 2026! Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ+ artists.

From Lady Gaga’s spellbinding new pop single to Doechii’s well-earned victory lap, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra”

There’s been a lot of talk online about Gaga reheating her nachos lately. But if “Abracadabra” is what reheated nachos taste like today, then pop open the microwave, because we’re seated for this meal. On the second single from her forthcoming album Mayhem, Gaga takes the familiar sounds of The Fame Monster, Born This Way and Artpop, chops them up and casts a spell over them to create an absolute pop killer. From her nonsense-word chorus to the immediately catchy beat breakdown to the haunting bridge, “Abracadabra” is Lady Gaga’s best song in years. Mother Monster, we’re happy to have you back.

Doechii, “Nosebleeds”

Doechii haters, you might want to skip “Nosebleeds,” because the Grammy Award-winning rapper comes for her detractors’ throats on this fiery, chaotic victory lap. From the jump, Doechii quickly establishes her dominance at the 2025 Grammys and sets up her impeccable flow for a punchy set of verses. Gassing herself up and switching the beat at every given opportunity, the rapper leaves her haters with one impeccable thought: “Everybody wanted to know what Doechii would do if she didn’t win,” she declares, before shrugging and smirking at her audience. “I guess we’ll never know.”

Anitta, “Romeo”

After taking a foray into Brazilian funk last year, Anitta is diving back into reggaeton headfirst with her sultry new cut “Romeo.” The new single follows the singer on “a night of mischief” as she calls it in the Spanish chorus, tempting her soon-to-be lover with a good time. It certainly helps that it’s Anitta’s voice singing these words, as her silky smooth delivery makes bars like “Tonight, you’re going to be mine, I didn’t say maybe” land with the exact kind of swagger she’s looking to portray.

Elton John & Brandi Carlile, “Who Believes in Angels?”

Queer pioneers Elton John and Brandi Carlile have long spoken about their mutual adoration for one another — they’ve even collaborated a few times on tracks like “Simple Things” and “Never Too Late.” So, when it came time for them to link up on their new duet “Who Believes in Angels,” off their forthcoming duets album of the same name, fans knew what they would be getting. This 5 minute, dramatic ballad sees the pair play off one another’s voices well, as they shift their sound from pianos to guitars to synths to everything all together in this symphonic new song.

Olly Alexander, Polari

Since breaking out on his own from his trio Years & Years, Olly Alexander has been doubling down on the ’80s-tinged pop music that helped him become a star. Now, with his latest album Polari, the singer is taking a lifetime of experience and leaving it all on one LP. Taking on different facets of queer culture like cruising (“Cupid’s Bow”), gay slang (“Polari”), mythology (“Whisper in the Waves”) and more, Alexander creates his own escapist universe throughout his stunning solo LP, making it a ride you’ll want to be along for.

Serpentwithfeet, “Wanderer”

Need something a little more tender to listen to this weekend? We suggest “Wanderer,” the gorgeous, love-stricken new single from indie darling Serpentwithfeet. The star’s delicate vocal pairs beautifully with the sparse R&B production as he paints a vivid picture of desire, climbing to a beautiful declaration at the chorus: “My heart the ocean; mostly unexplored/ Won’t over-promise, but I could be yours,” Serpent croons.

Corook, “They!”

Sometimes even the silliest of songs can still be deeply affirming — that’s a fact Corook knows first hand. Their breakout 2023 track “If I Were a Fish” turned into an anthem for queer kids the world over. Now, the singer-songwriter is narrowing her focus to her own community with “They,” a song that takes their own experience being non-binary and explores it through the prism of bubbly, fun pop music. Across three minutes, Corook insists that “it’s no big deal, I’m more me now,” while reminding those listening who might be struggling with their own identity shouldn’t stress too much — someone out there gets it, which is sometimes all you need to hear.

David Archuleta, “Freedom” (George Michael cover)

It’s been 35 years since George Michael released the career-defining anthem “Freedom! ’90” — and now, American Idol alum David Archuleta would like to take a moment to celebrate its legacy. With his interpretation of the track, Archuleta keeps the formula simple — not quite recreating the song note for note, but sticking as closely as possible to Michael’s version as possible. Backed up by a full chorus and placing hismlarger-than-life voice front and center, Archuleta does a service to Michael’s legacy with this moving cover.

Wafia, Promised Land

In a time where our political reality is being defined by a relentless sense of upheaval, alt-pop singer songwriter is Wafia is here with a message for you that her mother shared with her: “Everything is already written.” Promised Land tracks Wafia’s own experiences as an immigrant, funneling the resilence (as on the stunning “House Down”) and hope that she’s crafted over the course of her life into a series of top-tier pop tracks. Let this be your sign to stop sleeping of Wafia — let her lead you to the Promised Land with this excellent LP.

Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist: