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The 2025 Grammys are nearly here! With a record number of LGBTQ+ nominees at Sunday’s show, take some time to get ahead of next year’s ceremony with these 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 Sasami’s excellent collaboration with Clairo to Julien Baker and Torres’ new ballad, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
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Sasami ft. Clairo, “In Love With a Memory”
The best collaborations are the ones that put two artists together and push both of them to create a new sound within the context of a single song. That’s exactly what Sasami and Clairo accomplish on “In Love With a Memory,” the gorgeous new track off the former’s forthcoming album Blood on the Silver Screen. From the jump, the vibe of “Memory” is immediately pared down from the moody electropop Sasami has become known for, while also providing a jolt of energy to Clairo’s softer offerings. The result is a reflective mid-tempo pop track that sees both artists expertly blending their vocals to make a cinematic portrait of a relationship at its end.
Julien Baker & Torres, “Sylvia”
Speaking of successful collaborations, Julien Baker and Torres are back with yet another excellent example of their combined power. Where “Sugar in the Tank” felt like something of a thesis statement for their forthcoming country album, “Sylvia” leans into the pair’s respective singer-songwriter roots, as they sing an ode to Torres’ canine companion. Still sticking to their folksy, rooted sound, Baker and Torres manage to create something both nostalgic and fresh with this beautiful ballad.
Cat Burns, “Girls!”
Sometimes, you just have to say exactly what it is you’re singing about in the title of a song. UK pop artist Cat Burns has already made plenty of waves for her frank songwriting and buttery vocals, but “Girls!” adds even more dimensions to the singer’s artistry. This bubbly new track sees Burns sharing her admiration for all things female — including “different energies,” the spectrum of “masc and femininity” — all while letting her sound explode into a burst of funky guitars and cascading synths on the delirious post-chorus.
Skaiwater, “Pop”
For anyone looking for a pseudo-pop rap alternative to Travis Scott this week, may we humbly recommend this delectable new single from Skaiwater. “Pop” feels like a distillation of all the facets that have make the rising artist a critical darling into one 3 minute package. Disjointed beats manage to sync up perfectly with their digitized voice, as the rapper narrates the tale of a relationship that just cannot possibly work out. Skaiwater makes “Pop” sound like a stream-of-consciousness confession happening in real time, but just one listen tells you that their attention to every detail of their sound is what makes a record like this so deeply fascinating.
Miya Folick, “Fist”
Penting up emotions tends to lead to an explosion down the line. “Fist,” the latest track off Miya Folick’s upcoming album Erotica Veronica, takes that idea and translates it as literally as possible into music. Starting out with a simple acoustic guitar and soft vocals, Folick lets her partner know that all is not what it seems from the opening line: “I’ve been cooking dinner/ Hoping you’ll forgive me for not wanting to swallow you.” As the intesity builds, so does the instrumentation — guitars are plugged in, drums are added and eventually, there are no more words to describe how Folick is feeling. Only a guttural scream in the song’s last 90 seconds can encapsulate the whirlwind of emotion from this cathartic banger.
Maddie Zahm, “Sheets”
Maddie Zahm is ready to burn it all down on her latest single. A fiery bassline and small chorus of backup singers bring some weight to “Sheets,” but no production elements can evoke as strong an image as Zahm’s growling voice as she confronts her ex about how quickly they’ve moved on. The party is over and Zahm is ready to say it exactly how it is, bringing a “f–k around and find out” attitude we’ve yet to see from her. If you ever hurt someone bad enough to get them to write the phrase “did you tell her how you’ll kiss her ’til a new b–ch has you on your knees,” maybe take a moment to reflect on your choices.
Dreamer Isioma, “Did You Ever Care” / “Dead End”
Nigerian-American singer-songwriter Dreamer Isioma has always been interested in creating an aesthetic that no one has ever seen before with their performance. They’ve never been more successful at that feat than on their pair of new singles “Did You Ever Care” and “Dead End.” Swinging wildly between gothic pop and angsty rock, Isioma spends two songs painting a portrait of unrequited obsession followed by painful realization, all rendered through the prism of their otherworldly voice. If you haven’t managed to board the Dreamer Isioma hype train, now is an ideal time for you to get on board.
Charlie Houston, Big After I Die
Want to get in on the groud floor with a very talented new artist? Looking for good songwriting and killer production? Need something silly to cut some of the darker parts of being alive right now? Charlie Houston checks all of those boxes and then some on her debut album Big After I Die. Over the course of 9 songs, the singer-songwriter tackles everything from love that almost makes you scared of yourself (“Lighter”) to a love for organizational charts (“Slut for Excel”), Houston brings a lifetime of observations and idiosyncrasies into this winking LP, and it’s well worth every single one of its 30 minutes.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
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After a banner year for queer pop music in 2024, Billboard takes a look at which LGBTQ+ artists fans should keep an eye on this year.
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As fans and artists alike gear up for this Sunday’s Grammys, Chappell Roan is taking a beat to share some gratitude for her fans. In a post to her Instagram on Wednesday (Jan. 29), Roan shared a series of selfies while writing a lengthy note of appreciation to her fans. “Good morning booboos. It’s Grammy […]
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In need of some new music from your favorite LGBTQ+ artists? Allow us to help: 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 Shygirl’s stunning new collaboration to Kesha’s gorgeous new ballad, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Shygirl feat. Isabella Lovestory & PinkPanthress, “True Religion”
Since experiencing a new level of cultural breakthrough in 2024 thanks to her opening slot on Charli XCX & Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour, UK DJ Shygirl is ready to hook you for good with her latest single. “True Religion” boasts everything fans of Shygirl have come to hope for from her music — a singularly catchy hook (don’t be shocked if you randomly start singing “webcam, webcam, webcam girl” to yourself this weekend), impeccably-chosen guest stars (both Lovestory and PinkPanthress thrive on this bouncing, laid-back track) and a beat that you cannot shake. If “True Religion” doesn’t make you believe in the power of Shygirl, then we’re not sure what will.
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Kesha, “Dear Me”
For her contribution to the new documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, Kesha decided to strip back the artifice and sing from the heart. The result is “Dear Me,” a Warren-penned, Guy Roche-produced ballad where Kesha looks back on her younger self and offers some salient advice — primarily, to know that she can get through whatever pain comes her way. It’s no surprise that Kesha sounds as good as she does here; it is surprising, though, to get such a poignant song in a week when so many of us need to hear this.
Lord Huron feat. Kristen Stewart, “Who Laughs Last”
If there’s a rule of thumb for 2025, it’s expect the unexpected. Lord Huron, the indie-rock group slowly gaining steam over the last couple yeas, took that advice to heart when they teamed up with actress, queer icon and now songstress Kristen Stewart for their new single “Who Laughs Last.” Stewart may not sing on the actual track, but her spoken word verses bring an air of mystique and prestige to this certified rock banger, marking one of the most gloriously left-field collaborations we’ve heard in a minute.
Nessa Barrett, “Does God Cry?”
If you’ve been looking for some Aftercare since alt-pop star Nessa Barrett’s stunning 2024 album of the same name, then we have some good news for you. With her new track “Does God Cry?” off the forthcoming deluxe edition of the LP, Barrett delivers a heart-rending, ambient pop single that poses bigger questions through bigger sounds. More to the point, the track takes the dark sonics of her breakout album and twists them into something new and fascinating — as winning a formula for any deluxe track as we’ve seen.
Sophie Powers, “Goals”
Alright, we’ve all had a rough week, so let’s end this list with something unabashedly fun. Rising pop singer Sophie Powers’ latest track “Goals” immediately comes across as 2007 Avril Lavigne-meets-Charli XCX’s Brat, as Sophie snidely declares that she is the bar her haters just can’t reach. A chant-along chorus, glitchy production and gloriously spunky attitude make Powers’ “Goals” a must-listen for anyone who needs to unplug after an otherwise hard few days.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
In an executive order issued on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump rolled back protections for the transgender community and declared that the United States would no longer provide any federal funds to “promote gender ideology.” If it’s a fight the president wants on trans rights, then Lucy Dacus is ready to square up.
In a post to her X account on Wendesday (Jan. 22), the singer-songwriter told her fans to share GoFundMe pages for trans people looking to pay for gender-affirming surgeries, promising that she would donate $10,000 as a means of helping. “if trans people wanna comment surgery gofundmes, I’m gonna give away 10k in $500 increments until it’s gone,” she wrote. “if other people wanna scroll through and make donations, please do.”
The post, which has since earned more than 300 replies, ended with a stark message from the Boygenius singer about the future for trans Americans under a second Trump presidency. “the government will never be the source of our validation or protection,” she wrote. “we have to do it ourselves.”
Trump’s executive order (titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”) makes it the official policy of the United States that there are only two sexes, while also eliminating any and all federal funding for gender-affirming health care.
The executive order comes despite calls from established medical organizations — including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the Endocrine Society — for policies aimed at limiting access to gender-affirming care to stop. Additionally, the American Medical Association continues to acknowledge that gender identity and sexual orientation both exist on a spectrum rather than as a binary.
LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Lambda Legal already announced that they plan to challenge Trump’s executive order in court, saying “the impact of these executive actions will be devastating — stripping away health care access, weakening workplace protections from abuse, inviting exclusion and harassment of vulnerable school children, and giving a green light to discrimination throughout public life.”
Meanwhile, Dacus is currently promoting her forthcoming new album, Forever Is a Feeling. Last week, she debuted two new songs, “Limerence” and “Ankles,” while debuting the latter during a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
With awards season off to a big start in 2025, LGBTQ+ non-profit GLAAD is unveiling its honorees for the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards. On Wednesday (Jan. 22), GLAAD revealed the full list of honorees for the annual award show, including a swath of musical artists earning nominations for their work in 2025. In the […]
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With 2025 officially under way, it’s time to get some new music from your favorite queer artists playing, pronto. 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 Lucy Dacus’ excellent new solo track to Perfume Genius’ ode to anxiety, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Lucy Dacus, “Ankles”
Leave it Lucy Dacus, phenomenal modern singer-songwriter and one third of alt-rock trio Boygenius, to craft a stunning song steeped in queer intimacy. “Ankles” is unlike much of Dacus’ previous work — guitars are swapped for string sections, sonic spareness for grandiosity — but still retains the core tenet of her artistry: writing singular experiences into practically universal songs. From beginning to end, “Ankles” is a career-best showing for Dacus, and a testament to her enduring talent today.
Trending on Billboard
Perfume Genius, “It’s a Mirror”
In a time where anxiety seems to be more and more the norm, Perfume Genius is here with a definitive track to capture just that feeling. “It’s a Mirror” bathes itself in themes of isolation and loneliness, while letting the musicality carry out bigger and bolder sounds for the artist born Mike Hadreas, as he waxes poetic on the seemingly unbreakable cycle of paralyzing angst. “It’s a diamond, my whole life is/ Open just outside the door,” he croons.
Chloe Moriondo, “Shoreline”
Chloe Moriondo has made a name for herself in the music business as a purveyor of big, messy thoughts through wild, often hilarious songwriting. So it’s jarring when she never goes for the joke on “Shoreline,” their stunningly spare new single. Instead, Moriondo aims for earnestness, landing bolts of truth directly into your heart as she reels from the “first big breakup” of her life through effortless metaphor, simple production and a gorgeous vocal performance.
Zora, Belladonna
Belladonna, at its core, is a horror story told from the oft-neglected perspective of a black trans woman fighting for her life. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that Zora, the talented Minnesota singer/rapper/producer behind it’s creation, is a victim. No, Belladonna makes it clear from the jump that Zora is instead taking firm control of the narrative, spinning tales of desire (“Sick Sex”), secrecy (“Hush”) and revenge (“Bodies in My Room”).
Jasmine.4.t, You Are the Morning
Meet your new obsession Jasmine.4.t, the first British addition to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records and a rising alt-rock star in her own right. With her stunning new album You Are the Morning, Jasmine tells her own transition story on her exact terms, examining sex (“Skin on Skin”), queer friendships (“You Are the Morning”), trauma (“Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation”) and navigating the complexities of finding your truest self (“New Shoes”). Keep your eye on Jasmine.4.t — if Morning is any indication, than she’s only at the start of a long, fruitful career of incredible alt-rock stardom.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Wilkommen, bienvenue, howdy partner! Country star Orville Peck is set to make his Broadway debut as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. On Wednesday (Jan. 15), Cabaret announced that the “Dead of Night” singer would take over the iconic role from Adam Lambert starting on March 31, where he will be joined […]