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With summer in full swing, why not cool yourself down with a few new tracks from your favorite queer artists? 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.
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From Clairo’s long awaited new LP to Remi Wolf’s funk-fueled new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Clairo, Charm
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Throughout her already-impressive career, Claire Cottrill has proven herself as nothing short of a remarkable songwriter — and she further burnishes that reputation on Charm, the third full length LP from Cottrill’s better-known stage name Clairo. Throughout this lush new project, Cottrill drills down into the specificity and tenderness that made her a star in the first place, now pushing her sound even further with luxurious intstrumentation and production courtesy of Leon Michels.
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Remi Wolf, Big Ideas
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Idiosyncratic song concepts are Remi Wolf’s bread and butter, so it should come as no surprise that her new album luxuriates as often as possible in its singularity. Big Ideas manages to take the sound and character Wolf has established through half a decade of musical output and expands them into an entire musical universe for her to populate. Funk remains in the driver’s seat across nearly every song, where Wolf waxes poetic about everything from toxic relationships to crippling loneliness to hotel sex. Big Ideas is chock-full of the thoughts you would hope an artist as endlessly interesting as Wolf would have, making for the most intoxicatingly effective project of her career.
Maren Morris, “I Hope I Never Fall in Love”
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There is that moment post-breakup where you just know, with certainty, that you won’t put yourself through the pain of a relationship again — even though you also know that you’ll eventually cave. Maren Morris has given that moment it’s own song in “I Hope I Never Fall in Love,” a stunningly candid ballad that sees the singer diving head first into single life with a not-so-sunny outlook. Her echoing voice bounces off the spare instrumentation throughout this mid-tempo confessional, as she makes herself a vow: “Love, you only did me dirty,” she sings. “Forever was a f–kin’ lie, so goodbye.”
Salute, True Magic
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They say that teamwork makes the dream work, and Salute is here to prove the saying correct. True Magic, the fast-rising producer’s third studio album, is built around the concept of collaboration, with nearly each new track seeing the DJ teaming up with yet another peer. With guest spots from Rina Sawayama, Disclosure, Empress Of and plenty of others, Salute takes their sound to brand new levels by embracing further evolutions and interpretations than ever before. With his singular artistic vision, Salute manages to spin beats into magic on this aptly-title new project.
Orion Sun, “Mary Jane”
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With each successive release, Orion Sun underlines why she’s an essential artist to listen to today. “Mary Jane,” her latest off her forthcoming album Orion, sees the singer-songwriter trying to find something that can “take this pain away,” and finding her titular solution. With complex harmonies littered all throughout the song, Sun manages to seize your attention and command it even further on this sumptuous, euphoric new song.
Dua Saleh, “Want”
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Indie-R&B up-and-comer Dua Saleh is tired of beating around the bush. They want to want you, and that’s exactly what they’re going to do. On their latest single “Want,” Saleh tells the story of a magnetic relationship — even when both parties know they shouldn’t, they just can’t help but be with one another. Saleh’s voice sounds more impeccable than ever, as their production (courtesy of Jason Suwito) manages to build up the song’s strong sense of desire until it reaches a zenith by the final chorus. Trust us, you’ll “Want” to hear this.
Check out all our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Pride Month is nearly over, so be sure to spend this last weekend listening to some new tunes from your favorite queer artists. 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.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Tinashe’s stunning new single to Omar Apollo’s long-awaited new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Tinashe, “Getting No Sleep”
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Have you matched Tinashe’s freak yet? If not, don’t worry — according to her new song, you’ll have all night to do it. “Getting No Sleep,” the latest single off Tinashe’s forthcoming album Quantum Baby, takes a page out of the “Nasty” handbook , while still keeping things plenty fresh. Over a skittering beat and cool synth chords, Tinashe confidently lets her lover know that after a long work week, she’s ready to stay up ’til dawn with them. It’s might be a long night, but don’t worry, you’ll have Tinashe’s excellent new track to keep you company.
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Lil Nas X, “Here We Go!”
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No, it’s not the ’80s, Lil Nas X is just feeling a little nostalgic. With “Here We Go!,” the superstar’s new single for the upcoming Netflix movie Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Lil Nas takes the vibe and voice of the original 1984 Eddie Murphy film — including a prominent sample of Harold Faltermeyer’s iconic “Axel F” — and translates them through his own unique point of view. Bringing all the swagger and bravado fans have come to expect, Lil Nas is ready to remind fans why they fell in love with him in the first place on this fun new track.
Omar Apollo, God Said No
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Just two years after Omar Apollo stunned the world with his debut album Ivory, he’s ready to do it all over again — regardless of whether or not the powers that be would like him to. God Said No sees Apollo stretching the boundaries of his sound while diving deep into the process of moving on from a breakup. Over 14 tracks, the singer runs through the classic stages of grief (song titles like “Spite,” “Empty” and “Done With You” lend themselves pretty cleanly to anger, depression and acceptance) all while managing to refine his music even further.
Clairo, “Nomad”
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Who else but Clairo could provide the emotionally devastating lyrics we’re all looking for in 2024? “Nomad” certainly wastes no time in cutting right to the point, as Clairo’s buttery voice floats in over a bed of acoustic harmonies singing about running away from someone who refuses to love her the way she deserves. With a building sense of urgency, the singer paints a picture of her life as an isolated traveler, laying on the heartache thick before coming down like a pile of bricks on her former flame: “I’d rather be alone than a stranger,” she calmly croons on the chorus.
Sophie feat. Kim Petras & BC Kingdom, “Reason Why”
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It’s been just over three years since groundbreaking producer Sophie passed away — and now, fans are getting a final set of songs from her. Ahead of the release of the star’s posthumous self-titled album, Future Classic and Transgressive unveiled “Reason Why,” the late icon’s dance-pop collaboration with Kim Petras and BC Kingdom. Over an entrancing house beat, Petras and BC Kingdom offer their own hypnotic musings on personalized authenticity. All throughout the song, they offer a mesmirizing chat that will have you repeating words to yourself from then on: “In your mind, in your eye/ Take a little look inside,” they sing. “What’s your life, in your eyes/ And I know the reason why.”
Doechii, “Rocket”
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Doechii’s too booked and busy to be bothered by her detractors. That’s the central theme of “Rocket,” the singer’s new track in partnership with Sprite Limelight, where the Florida rapper refuses to let herself get too pressed. Over a grooving beat crafted by Take a Daytrip, Doechii leans back and lets her haters know how much space they’re taking up in her head(spoiler, the answer is none at all). “Can’t be stressed, I’m relaxin’” she sings. “Can’t be pressed ’bout your actions.”
MUNA, Live at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles
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For a group that proudly dubs themselves as The Greatest Band in the World, MUNA certainly lives up to the title with their new live album. Recorded during the first of their two sold-out shows at the iconic Greek Theater in Los Angeles in October 2023, Live at the Greek Theater captures the raw essence of a MUNA show — screaming fans, amped-up arrangements of the band’s biggest hits, and the trio performing at their absolute best. Whether you’ve seen MUNA live or not, Live at the Greek is about as faithful a recreation of the band’s energy in person as you’re going to find.
Towa Bird, American Hero
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Listening to Towa Bird’s phenomenal debut album American Hero is a lot like listening to a soundtrack for the eldest members Gen Z. Across 13 rollicking tracks, Bird tackles the sickly-sweet taste of early romance (“Ew), the inevitable pain of a breakup (“Deep Cut”) and learning how to live your life as an independent person (“This Isn’t Me”). But what makes American Hero immediately stand out is the performer’s innate sense of musicality. In both her crystal-clear voice and her otherworldly guitar skills, Bird shows time and time again throughout this LP that she is the Real Deal — and she’s only going up from here.
Jake Wesley Rogers, “Loser”
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There’s something infectious about Jake Wesley Rogers’ shimmering new single “Loser.” It’s hard to say what precisely it is about the track that works so efficiently when each of its parts manage to do exactly what you would hope, and then a little bit more. Rogers’ classically-trained voice certainly helps, as he sings about the bright and shining future for the currently disenfranchised; the 80s-inspired pop production also adds a sparkling sense of drama to the mix. Whatever it is about “Loser” that works so well isn’t nearly as important as the feeling you’ll get once the song reaches its moving, glorious climax.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
This week’s crop of fresh tunes includes a Post Malone/Blake Shelton collaboration, as well as a sterling barroom country collab from Ella Langley and Riley Green, and a bluesy, heartache-fueled song from newcomer Kashus Culpepper.
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Post Malone and Blake Shelton, “Pour Me a Drink”
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Post Malone currently continues his reign atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with his Morgan Wallen duet “I Had Some Help,” and from the sound of his new party-ready Blake Shelton collaboration, he looks ready to repeat his chart-topping trajectory. This radio-friendly track finds him ready to shrug off various tribulations, from work stresses to speeding tickets, in favor of Friday night plans with a barstool and a stiff drink. Their voices pair mightily, and it doesn’t hurt that, amid country music’s current nostalgia tilt, the song feels reminiscent of Shelton’s mid-aughts songs that lit up country radio. “Pour Me a Drink” is from Post Malone’s debut country album, F-1 Trillion, out Aug. 16.
Kashus Culpepper, “After Me?”
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Newly signed to Big Loud Records, this Alabama native meshes blistering guitar and eruptive vocal talent on this bruising testimonial, as he sings of helplessly watching his ex-lover wed someone else. He inhabits a country-blues amalgam in similar musical terrain as country/Americana stalwarts such as Marcus King and Chris Stapleton, while infusing his work with his signature muscular, sandpapery growl. In the process, he towers in a lengthy list of artists finding enduring success with sounds expanding beyond the boundaries of mainstream country.
Ella Langley and Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me”
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Langley takes the lead on this flirtatious barroom situation, launching into a spoken-word verse about spotting a potential lover on the dance floor and boldly stepping up to him and making a coquettish offer. Green follows by eying the situation from a male perspective, before Langley takes the lead again, advising listeners to take their own romantic risks. Winding guitar and saloon-tinged piano further fuel the song’s barroom vibe, while Langley and Green’s country drawls, confidence and humor make for an ace pairing. Green and Langley also wrote this country ditty with Aaron Raitiere.
Chase Rice, “Go Down Singin’”
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In 2023, Rice reminded listeners that his songwriting capabilities extend beyond penning massive radio hits such as the Florida Georgia Line hit “Cruise” or his own “Eyes on You” when he released his remarkably introspective project I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell. Now newly independent after previously being signed with BBR Music Group, he distills his journey from his early days in Nashville, to finding success, to setting out on his own, into just over three minutes of detailed story arc. He traces his journey and the years he “left blood and sweat and tears up and down 16th Avenue,” before turning to his decision to strike out on his own as an independent artist, offering a clear-eye comprehension of the risks and rewards, but as he sings, “If I go down, at least I go down singin’.”
Tina Adair, “Let It Fall”
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Following her time spent as part of bluegrass family band The Adairs, in addition to issuing solo albums and previously co-founding bluegrass group Sister Sadie, Tina Adair returns with her latest from her upcoming solo set. This Sarah Siskind-written song showcases Adair’s dynamic, gospel-soaked vocal inflections, while underpinning her versatile, powerful vocals with churning instrumentation from guitarists Cody Kilby and Pat McGrath, banjoist Scott Vestal, mandolinist Seth Taylor, fiddler Ron Stewart, reso-guitarist Rob Ickes and bassist Byron House, along with tightly-woven harmonies from Wes Hightower. Her upcoming album follows 2023’s Here Within My Heart.
Priscilla Block, “Bad Guy”
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“Just About Over You” hitmaker Block turns the tables on typical heartbreak anthems with this new song, acknowledging that sometimes, “the dagger gets thrown by painted nails.” Block has a flair for a well-crafted turn of a phrase, and here she muses that there are times when the relational offender “is a bombshell blue-eyed, do you dirty blonde.” This uptempo track also makes use of Block’s polished yet conversational vocal tone. Block teamed with David Garcia, Cole Taylor and Trannie Anderson on the song, which is from Block’s new five-song EP, PB2.
The longest day of the year is officially past us, which means you now have even more daylight hours to listen to new songs from your favorite queer artists! 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.
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See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Kehlani’s irresistible new album to Maren Morris’s stunning new single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Kehlani, Crash
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Kehlani knows how to write earnestly about even the deepest of emotions —it’s a fact she’s proven consistently throughout her dazzling career. But with her latest album Crash, the R&B star shows that she can continue doing that over a series of infectious, eclectic new sounds. Whether she’s heading to the dancefloor (“After Hours”) or bringing out a softer, folksy side (“Better Not”), Kehlani never loses the emotional maturity that’s defined so much of her output. Stark confessions, brutal kiss-offs and deep internal investigations yield phenomenal results for the singer-songwriter on yet another career highlight.
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Maren Morris feat. Julia Michaels, “Cut!”
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“How does she do it?” Maren Morris wonders of herself in the first few lines of her new song “Cut!” She touts her regimen of yoga, therapy and sleep over a glossy pop beat, while maintaining her vocal composure. But that all changes on the song’s bombastic chorus, as she (and later, guest Julia Michaels) takes a moment behind closed doors to “let my tears fall when they want.” It’s a stunningly intimate pop ballad from the singer as she navigates the balance between life both in and out of the public eye.
VINCINT feat. Betty Who, “Love Me Tonight”
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Just when we needed it, VINCINT is here with his second consecutive slice of pop perfection. “Love Me Tonight,” the propellant new single from the rising pop singer, sees VINCINT and special guest Betty Who leaning hard into the romance of it all, with a symphony of deep house synths and sweeping strings to drive home that yearning feeling. But as tends to be the case with his songs, it’s VINCINT and Who’s vocals that provide the souped-up engine for this unstoppable anthem, as the pair each declare that “if you love me baby, love me tonight.”
Kali Uchis, “Never Be Yours”
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A breakup has never sounded quite as good as it does on Kali Uchis’ stunning new single “Never Be Yours.” As lush instrumentation brings the listener into a dreamy world of strings, keys and chimes, the Colombian star takes on an old-school vibe to let her would-be lover know that she’s simply not interested in what they have to offer. “I’m not gonna be yours right now,” she coos, as a gentle guitar cushions the blow. “‘Cause I’ll never be yours, no how.”
The Japanese House, “:)”
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While Amber Bain (the artist behind the moniker of The Japanese House) may be best known for her introspective songwriting, her new single shows that she’s perfectly capable of delivering a sparkling love song. “:)” finds Bain at her most idyllic, as she waxes poetic about a girl she met online. What starts as digital flirting quickly turns to a whirlwind fantasy, where the singer boards a plane, meets her online lover and falls even deeper in love than she already was. The sunny guitars and persistent drum pattern boost her confidence as she declares that she might be crazy, “Who cares/ ‘Cause something’s happening/ I feel happier.”
Adam Lambert, “CVNTY”
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Looking for some booming new club tracks to help celebrate Pride Month? Adam Lambert is here to deliver with “CVNTY,” his ground-shaking new single dedicated to the art of serving … well, just read the song’s title. The pounding electronic beat only adds to Lambert’s laid-back vocal, as he calmly lets his passionate lover exactly how their relationship is going to go: “Sorry, baby, that you went and motherf—ing blew it/ I’ll break your heart, and I’ll look c-nty when I do it,” he croons, before letting the production crash into him like a tidal wave.
Big Freedia, “Holatta”
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Pride is meant to be a protest, and Big Freedia is making sure we keep that spirit alive with her new song. “Holatta” comes off of NOISE FOR NOW, VOL. 2, a new compilation album featuring tracks from Faye Webster, The War On Drugs, Courtney Barnett and others, with all proceeds from the album being donated to fund independent abortion providers across the U.S. in the wake of 2022’s Dobbs decision. For her part, Big Freedia digs deep into her bounce roots to craft an anthem for fighting back — the thundering beat echoes the singer’s own voice as she declares that “we got a point to prove.”
Sapphira Cristál, “Get Your Flowers”
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We all need a voice like Sapphira Cristál’s in our lives. The Drag Race runner-up made a name for herself as the motivational “mother” of season 16 — and now, she’s ready to do the same for you. With “Get Your Flowers,” Cristál steps firmly into the limelight of musical artistry, as she melds her penchant for words of encouragement with dace music and just a dash of operatic arias. Over a slick dance-pop melody, Cristál asks her listeners to put some more stock in themselves as she shows off exactly what made her Drag Race run so instantly memorable in this fun new track.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
As Pride Month reaches a fever pitch, make sure you’re staying up to date on all the latest new tracks from your favorite queer artists. 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.
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See latest videos, charts and news
From Victoria Monét’s hypnotic new song to Tayla Parx’s brand new era, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Victoria Monét, “Power of Two”
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As Darth Vader so eloquently said, the Force is strong with this one. In her new single “Power of Two” for Disney+’s series Star Wars: The Acolyte, R&B superstar Victoria Monét pulls off an entrancing new song that works naturally outside of the show’s context. A moody melody accompanies hypnotic beats as Monét sings to someone she feels cosmically entangled with, for better or worse. “I feel the shame when they call me your name,” she intones. “And you feel the same when they say you’re to blame.”
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Tayla Parx feat. Tkay Maidza, “Era”
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In a time when pop stars love to constantly reinvent themselves — to varying degrees of success — it’s refreshing to see bonafide hitmaker Tayla Parx firmly enter her “f–k it era.” With her new single “Era” featuring hip-hop star Tkay Maidza, Parx announces that she’s done plenty of growing over the last few years and is ready to reap her rewards. Over a bone-shaking beat, Parx touts her personal achievements and declares that the time for her raucous comeback into the cultural spotlight has arrived — and we couldn’t be happier to see it.
Orion Sun, “Already Gone”
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She may have been gone for two years, but Orion Sun has been hard at work honing her craft — a fact that is readily apparent on her phenomenal new song, “Already Gone.” Elevating her esoteric sound, Sun sings about facing a life without her partner by her side. As arpeggiating synths flutter around the edges of the song, Sun’s voice grows slowly more confident as she lets her former lover know what kind of wreckage they left behind: “I feel weak and ugly,” she whispers. “It still feels hard to imagine life without you.”
Remi Wolf, “Motorcycle”
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Who says you can’t have it all? Remi Wolf’s latest track “Motorcycle” envisions a world where the singer can embrace all the reckless, fast-paced aspects of life in the spotlight, while still enjoying the quiet comforts of domesticity, all over a smooth, sultry R&B track. Wolf’s voice sounds more controlled and calm than ever, as she gleefully has her cake and eats it, too, on this delectable new entry in her discography.
Pale Waves, “Perfume”
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What if ’80s alt-rock had been even queerer? That’s a question Pale Waves handily answers on their new single “Perfume,” a glossy, romantic anthem fueled by the female gaze. Frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie lends her voice to the sapphic sport of endless yearning, while guitarist Hugo Silvani lays down layered, echoing riffs throughout the airy new song. If you’ve been waiting for another queer-focused jam in the style of MUNA’s “Silk Chiffon,” then allow this “Perfume” to linger just a little bit longer.
Michaela Jaé, “I Am”
Get ready to hear Michaela Jaé’s thrilling new song “I Am” for the rest of Pride Month, because we’ve got an anthem on our hands, folks. Amping up the sound from her 2022 debut single “Something to Say,” the former Pose star dives deep into an instantly catchy house groove, providing everything from a spoken-word, ball-style opening, to a delirious beat breakdown that will have you dancing the moment you hear it. “If you feel like a misfit, this song encourages people to be confident and to live out loud,” Jaé says of the new track in a statement. “It encourages them to always re-create and rebuild themselves when they feel down and to let the world know that it’s not going to stop and that we are going to continue to exist.”
JORDY, Sex With Myself
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Some might call it cockiness, but there’s no denying — JORDY is at his most confident with his boisterous new LP, Sex With Myself. Throughout the dance-fueled new project, the rising singer embraces his own self-love with reckless abandon, getting real with his audience about f–kboys (“Nice Things”), hookups (“I Don’t Want a Boyfriend”) and the evolving art of utter self-determination (the album’s excellent titular track). Call it whatever you want, but one thing’s for certain — JORDY’s new album is an instant highlight in his musical career.
Bronze Avery, Heatwave
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Ready to dance this summer? Because Bronze Avery is here with an album designed to help you do just that. Heatwave, the pop singer’s sophomore LP, is a scintillating mirage of sweat-soaked ecstacy, as Avery lets his inimitable voice soar over delirious production that melds deep house, hyperpop and a sprinkle of R&B for good measure. If you’re looking to turn up the temperature this Pride Month, then embrace the Heatwave on this stunning new album.
Check out all of our picks in Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Pride season is officially upon us, so grab your headphones and jam out to these new tunes from your favorite queer artists! 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.
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See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Halsey’s long-awaited new single to Kaytranada’s stunning new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Halsey, “The End”
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While Halsey has always had an aptitude for emotionally resonant songwriting, they managed to put something different in “The End.” On this stripped back acoustic single, Halsey lets the pain pour out of her, as her voices rises and falls with confessions about “poison in my blood” or that “once my God destroys the flesh, then there’s the flood.” As the singer continues to undergo serious medical treatment for their recently disclosed health issues, they’re not interested in just putting on a brave face — instead, they’d like you to see what that they’ve been dealing with.
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Kaytranada, Timeless
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For any and all Pride parties you’re intending to go to this month, Kaytranada’s newest album is an instant must play. Living up to its title, Timeless doesn’t aim to emulate any one particular era or sound — it just wants to make you dance. Kaytranada’s unmatched production work pairs flawlessly with a parade of guest stars including Childish Gambino (“Witchy”), Don Tolliver (“Feel a Way”) and Tinashe (“More Than a Little Bit”), making this new album the perfect party soundtrack.
Omar Apollo, “Less of You”
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Where his last few releases have seen Omar Apollo embracing slow jams, “Less of You” sees the singer ready to hit the dancefloor. With an electronic-tinged beat and some lightly vocoded vocals, “Less of You” follows Apollo through a lovesick night out, as he yearns for the lover that might have left him the night before. “I’m seein’ less of you/ I’m still undressing you,” he croons on the chorus. “Am I depressing you?/ Felt like a blessin’, you.”
Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue & Diplo, “Midnight Ride”
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What if Cowboy Carter and Renaissance were to have a baby? That’s a question that Orville Peck seeks to answer with a little help from Kylie Minogue and Diplo on “Midnight Ride,” their delectable new disco-meets-house-meets-country collaboration. Between Peck’s smoky baritone, Minogue’s unbridled energy and Diplo’s frenetic production, “Midnight Ride” immediately stands out as a must listen.
Doechii, “MPH”
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After she turned up the heat with her club track “Alter Ego” earlier this year, Doechii decided to keep the energy up with her newest release. “MPH” puts the pedal to the metal right out of the gate, as Doechii spits out rapid-fire bars flexing her status as one of the hottest up-and-coming names in hip-hop. Add in some slick production and the coven leader’s uniquely unbothered attitude, and you’ve got yet another Doechii banger on your hands.
Soccer Mommy, “Lost”
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With her first single since 2022′ Sometimes, Forever, Soccer Mommy would like to sing about grief. “Lost” never dives into particulars — only ever referring back to “her” — but it’s mood, atmosphere and tone all sound as though they were crafted with nothing but specificity in mind. Sophie Allison’s voice has never sounded more crystalline than it does on this heartbreaking, deeply moving new song.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
When artists set out to promote a new album, their publicists often encourage them to have “a story.” Mark Oliver Everett, otherwise known as E, frontman and chief songwriter of the band EELS, has a lollapalooza of a tale. His father, Hugh Everett III, developed the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. Today, his theory powers the Marvel multiverse and countless other movies, TV shows and novels about parallel worlds, but Everett wasn’t recognized for his work until late in his brief life. He died of a massive heart attack in 1982.
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E, who was 19 then, discovered his father’s body, and, a decade later, endured the deaths of his sister, who committed suicide, and his mother, from cancer. Left without a family, he chronicled his experiences in EELS’ 1998 masterpiece, Electro-Shock Blues, and his inspirational and funny 2008 autobiography, Things the Grandchildren Should Know.
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In 2017, the Everett bloodline rebooted when E became a father at the age of 54. But the story does not end there. Shortly after the band’s post-pandemic Lockdown Hurricane tour, his CT scan revealed an aortic aneurysm, and E underwent open-heart surgery to have it repaired.
The health scare did not curb his creativity. On June 7, EELs released its 15th studio album since forming in 1996 (not counting his two solo records in 1992 and ’93). “After 25 or 30 years, whatever it’s been, our time has finally come. It’s finally EELS time,” he says — which, if you put an exclamation point at the end, is the album’s title.
EELS TIME!
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After a spate of hard-rocking songs, EELS TIME! finds E, now 61, in a contemplative and grateful mindset accentuated with a poppier sound. Below, E discusses the album’s collaborative efforts with All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter, the poignant music video for “Time,” which depicts three generations of the Everett family, and much more.
You’ve experienced quite a lot over the last few years: fatherhood, divorce, open-heart surgery.
It’s always something right? I got used to that a long time ago.
You’ve had quite a lot of experience with mortality. How is dealing with your mortality different from dealing with the deaths of loved ones?
Well, the one thing I don’t have any experience in is hospital experience. I’ve never been in a hospital before, which was a great run. I’m thankful for that. I was in the hospital for a week, so that’s a big deal. It turned out great. I’m totally good as new now.
It’s great that you were staying on top of your health.
It’s the one good thing that came out of my father having a heart attack and dying at 51. Doctors would tell me heart stuff can be very hereditary so keep an eye on stuff. Get scans. Whatever the best scan is technology-wise, get that. It was a CT chest scan that discovered the problem. [My condition] was not related to what happened to my father. It’s a different thing, but it’s still a heart related-thing and it’s only because of his early death that I found out about it.
How did working with Tyson Ritter change your creative process? Did you collaborate in the same room or were you throwing stuff back and forth via email?
It’s funny because we found out we were neighbors and literally live three blocks away from each other. But we did it all remotely. It was still the pandemic and I have a little kid in school. I didn’t want to be the asshole that shuts down his school by getting Covid.
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You also feature on indie-pop artist meija’s “Possum.” How did that come about?
The thing with Tyson started with me singing on a song he did, too. And then the meija thing happened. That just came out of the blue. A mutual friend contacted me and said, “Hey, this guy would really like to have you on a song.” He sent me the song, and I was like, “Oh, this is cool. Yeah, I’ll do it.” I even went so far as to be in the video.
“If I’m Gonna Go Anywhere” is one of my favorite songs on the album. It has a Bobby Gillespie/Primal Scream vibe,
That one is all credit to Tyson, by the way. That’s his musical doing. I’m singing and writing lyrics mostly on that.
In the chorus, you sing that if you’re going anywhere, you’re going “there.” Where is “there”?
There is simply if you have a choice to make, why not make the nice choice. Why not choose love.
“Sweet Smile” is like that, too.
That’s exactly what “Sweet Smile” is about. Sometimes I’ll be walking down the sidewalk and I’ll realize I’m not scowling but I’m not smiling. I’ll think smile. And I’ll smile and it’s weird. It’s like, everything feels better and easier when you smile. With that song, I wanted to to write my version of [The Seekers] “Georgy Girl.” Just a nice, innocent song about walking down the street.
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“We Won’t See Her Like Again” seems to be about someone you lost. I realize not every song is autobiographical, but I’m wondering if you wrote that about your mother or sister, who you lost at a young age.
I wrote that one with Chet from the EELS, and I don’t feel like it was specifically about anybody at the time. A lot of the songs that I’ve done over the years I can’t access if there is a personal experience that I’m writing about. And years later, I’ll look back and go, “Oh, that’s what I was writing about.” I think it’s a coping mechanism that helps me write unfiltered — to not let myself know that I’m disclosing all these things about myself in some cases.
When I hear “I Can’t Believe It’s True,” I’m thinking could E have found love?
Yeah, I’m hoping that song will be one that people will play at their weddings. We’ve had songs go on to become really popular that we never would have thought of as a single at the time they were released. They take on this big life because of being played at weddings or whatever. Really, the inspiration in the back of my mind was thinking about my kid. So, maybe it can be played at weddings and births.
Has your son Archie formed his own band yet?
No, I got him a little drum set because he’s at the exact age that I was when I started playing drums. And I didn’t want to push it on him. He likes to bang around on everything, but he has not shown anywhere near the kind of interest I had in it so far. But that’s fine.
It’s there if he decides he’s into it, but also I think I should probably get him an instrument that would make [him] more money.
In the letter you published on the EELS website a few days ago, you wrote that you almost lost your mind during the first part of the Lockdown Hurricane show. What was overwhelming you?
First of all, I was super jetlagged. Going to Europe overnight; that always makes me crazy. We hadn’t played in almost four years or something because of the pandemic. You might remember the pandemic. So, we finally got out there to play, and it was an extreme culture shock for me because it was the double whammy of being a new father — a new divorced father — during those years of lockdown. I got really used to nobody caring about me. Do you know what I mean? When you’re a father, you’re the last person in the family anyone gives a shit about. Then suddenly, from the first show of the first tour in almost four years, it was like everybody super cared about me and it really fucked with my head. I didn’t know how to process it, and I didn’t know how to act. I don’t get stage fright normally. I’m usually very comfortable being on stage, but I started to have a panic attack right before the first show. For the first week, I was just insane. Then I got my bearings, and it was, “Okay, it’s coming back to me now. I know how to do this.” I’m sure a lot of people have gone through situations like that from being in such an extreme situation during the lockdown years and then being thrown out. Then it was great. It was like, “Oh, people. This is fun.”
Will you be touring behind this album?
I don’t know when we’re going on tour yet. The last one took a lot out of me. It was a good one, and we worked really hard. But since we just went, it might be too soon to go right now. Maybe we’ll go in late summer or the fall. We don’t know yet.
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“Song for You Know Who” is about not repeating the missteps of the past and forgiveness. Is that directed at yourself or someone else?
I’ll never tell. My favorite thing about that song is going to become my least favorite thing about it, too, which is that everyone I know is going to suspect it’s about them. I couldn’t resist calling it that because I just thought, it’s going to drive everybody crazy around me. But I’ll never tell.
The video for “Time” is very poignant and emotional to watch. And having read your book, understanding the sense that you had no family and to see now you do have family, it’s really touching. Did that idea just come to you or was it something that you wanted to do for a long time?
When I wrote and recorded the song I didn’t have the video concept in my mind. It wasn’t until later – I can’t remember what sparked I, but I just thought, “Oh, wait a minute. There’s three verses. We can do photos of my dad in the first verse.” It fits the theme of each verse.
Then the second one where it says, “I’m riding on the train, I’m ready to stop anywhere and see what’s out there,” that’s like young me going into teenage me and EELS me. Then the last verse is about how I want to be here and I don’t want to ever leave because I like being close to the ones I love, and that’s my son.
The beard looks very strong in the “Time” video
That was filmed the day after I came home from our tour, and I couldn’t wait to get rid of the beard. That was my pandemic beard, and I was like, “Oh, we’re finally going on tour. I’ll save it for that. It’ll look cool onstage or whatever.” Then I couldn’t wait to get rid of it by the end of the tour because a beard like that is a lot of maintenance and a lot of work. So I called the director of the video and said, “I’m going to get rid of the beard.” He was like, “No, just keep it for one day after the tour and we’ll shoot it then.” The next day I trimmed it down extensively.
Okay, so you’re not in Fidel Castro territory anymore.
At the moment, no. But it can always come back. It comes back overnight if I want it to. I’ve got a lot of testosterone.
This week’s offering of music was as mixed a bag as ever, with everyone from Eminem to Normani, Charli XCX, Shaboozey and more serving up new releases to close out the month of May. Starting with “Houdini,” Slim Shady once again proved he’s the master of getting people talking. The Steve Miller Band-sampling track features […]
Pride Month officially kicks off tomorrow, so be sure to update your playlists with some new tunes from your favorite queer artists before then! . 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.
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From Kehlani‘s blissful new single to Ben Platt‘s romantic new album, check out just a few of our favorite new releases from this week below:
Kehlani, “Next 2 U”
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On her latest single from next month’s new album “Crash,” Kehlani is fusing the old and the new. “Next 2 U” is a rare gem in Kehlani’s discography that expertly blends together her well-honed R&B sound with the newer, industrial production elements of her sound to make a grinding-yet-gorgeous new track about dedication. Her vocals remain unparalleled in their effortless grace, and the accompanying music video only further underlines the star’s calls for a free Palestine, making “Next 2 U” a thrilling addition to Kehlani’s already stunning body of work.
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Ben Platt, Honeymind
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For Ben Platt, there’s no need to over complicate things when it comes to love. Honeymind, the Broadway star’s third studio album, sees Platt leaning effortlessly into lush, rich ballads about the nature of his relationship. Pair his voice with buttery strings, simple guitar and bass or even just a piano, and the results come back the same — Platt knows exactly what (and more acurately, who) he is devoted to in this gorgeous new LP.
Romy, “Always Forever”
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Donna Lewis’ 1961 hit “I Love You Always Forever” has already served as the basis for plenty of pop songs — but Romy’s recent interpolation of the track feels instantly electric. “Always Forever” continues Romy’s hot streak since the release of her critically-lauded album Mid Air in 2023, this time turning up the volume on her pop stylings. The rising star spends her verses building up a sense of tension and longing, only to let the iconic melody of Lewis’ track serve as instant gratification on the song’s delirious chorus. “Always Forever” is yet another reminder that when it comes to ecstatic dance music, Romy is the one to watch.
Zolita, Queen of Hearts
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Zolita wants to get real with you — and then, she’d like to dance. On Queen of Hearts, the rising pop singer’s latest LP, Zolita dives deep into the peaks and pitfalls of queer romance, detailing thrilling nights on the town followed by mornings filled with questions and hurt feelings. Spurning that journey along is a set of irresistible, impeccably-produced pop bangers that worm their way into your head and take root, especially on album standout “All Over Again.” If Zolita’s goal was to deliver a stylish, smart album about LGBTQ love just in time for Pride, then consider her mission accomplished.
Dua Saleh feat. Serpentwithfeet, “Unruly”
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We cannot imagine two artists more naturally suited to collaborate with one another than Dua Saleh and Serpentwithfeet. So, when the two linked up on their hypnotic new song “Unruly,” it does not disappoint — the pair’s experimental, otherworldly sounds mesh together into a web of gorgeous, celestial soundscape. It’s a testament to both artists that “Unruly” works as well as it does, instantly elevating the vibe the moment it starts.
Channel Tres, “Cactus Water”
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Summer is here, and Channel Tres would like to celebrate the sweaty season with a sultry new cut of his own. On “Cactus Water,” Tres celebrates hot nights out on the dancefloor, with a kinetic beat and grooving bass backing up his swaggering vocal. After offering to “lick you up, lick you down,” Tres brings the song to an electrifying pinnacle, making it an immediate go-to for your summer playlists.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Willie Nelson may have recently turned 91 years old, but he’s not slowing down yet. The country superstar dropped his 75th and latest studio album, The Border, on Friday, May 31 via Legacy Recordings. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The collection is the latest in Nelson’s […]