State Champ Radio Queer Jams of the Week
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As you put the final touches on your Halloween costumes for tonight, why not listen to some new music 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 Tyler the Creator’s latest track to Reneé Rap’s victory lap, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Tyler, the Creator, “MOTHER”
With his deluxe edition of Chromakopia, Tyler, the Creator only added one new song — but it’s a track that he called the “grounding piece” to the album. Throughout “Mother,” a nearly-5-minute track filled with sonic and lyrical switch-ups, Tyler manages not only to flex his dexterity as an artist, but the true excellence of his writing. Dedicated to his mom Bonita Smith and the various lessons she taught him growing up, “Mother” sounds like Tyler’s entire Chromakopia run bundled into one glorious, messy, all-encompassing new track.
Reneé Rapp, “Lucky”
For her next trick, Reneé Rapp is turning a one-off song for the soundtrack of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t into a genuine pop-rock banger. “Lucky,” featuring credits from pop songwriting royalty like Ryan Tedder and Omer Fedi, sees Rapp strutting out a victory lap from her Bite Me era with a cheeky new single. As she flexes her accolades and taunts her haters, the singer comes to a simple conclusion with the track’s bridge: “Okay, got my way/ It’s almost like I’m Reneé.”
Orville Peck, “Drift Away”
After taking a light detour by starring in a Broadway show, Orville Peck is back in his full cowboy glory on “Drift Away,” the first single off his upcoming new album Appaloosa. Lamenting the state of life in a post-pandemic world, Peck offers an alternative to the dismay and disconnection of modernity with a dreamy, escapist country melody that offers to make like the title and simply float off into the distance.
Cat Burns, How to Be Human
She may be in the midst of a lying streak on The Celebrity Traitors in the UK, but Cat Burns is nothing but radically honest on her latest album How to Be Human. Throughout the magnificent new record, the singer-songwriter recounts in often excruciating detail how she got through a particularly trying period of her life. With raw lyrics, inventive production and Burns’ best vocal performance to date, How to Be Human is a must-listen for any music fans out there.
MIKA, “Modern Times”
As life in our current era gets more complicated and chaotic, pop singer MIKA is here to try and make a little sense out of “Modern Times.” On his first single in two years, MIKA takes an avant garde, dance-pop approach to the constantly-moving changes of the world today, all while constructing the kind of soaring melodies that made him a star in the first place. With new production flourishes bolstering his already well-established vocal talent, MIKA makes his comeback feel all the more glorious with “Modern Times.”
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
In need of some new tunes from your favorite queer artists? We’re here 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.
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See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Kehlani’s lovelorn new R&B track to Kevin Abstract’s confessional new collaboration, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Kehlani, “Folded”
Break ups don’t always have to be a hot mess. With her latest offering “Folded,” Kehlani isn’t aiming to put her ex on blast, but rather to extend them an olive branch. A breezy R&B melody helps the singer glide through this airy song of moving on after lost love, as she asks her lover if they can come pick up their clothes. “I have them folded,” she offers.
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Kevin Abstract & Dominic Fike, “Geezer”
We love it when a plan comes together, and seeing Brockhampton frontman Kevin Abstract reunite with his old friend Dominic Fike on their new duet “Geezer” feels like the best of plans. Over some indie guitars and a scattershot beat, the pair trade verses about finding their way to success, even when the people around them still feel stuck in the same place. It’s a tender take off Abstract’s upcoming new LP, and one that’s only bound to make you more hype to hear the whole thing.
Blondshell, “Diet Pepsi” (Addison Rae cover)
If you’re still jamming out to Addison Rae’s cult-favorite track “Diet Pepsi” from last year, then allow us to offer you a little bit more with a slightly different vibe. Indie star Blondshell takes Rae’s breakout alt-pop track and puts the emphasis back on the “alt,” as she translates the song into a shimmering alt-rock track that sounds like it could’ve come off her latest album. Add in Blondshell’s excellent live vocals, and you’ve got a killer cover on your hands.
Japanese Breakfast, “My Baby (Got Nothing At All)”
When it comes to soundtracking modern romance, there are few people more adept that Michelle Zauner. So it’s no wonder why A24 tapped the alt-rock star to pen her new Japanese Breakfast song “My Baby (Got Nothing At All)” for their new film Materialists. Throughout this sunny slow jam, Zauner takes some light shots at the gold-diggers of the world, opting instead for a tune about how little her lover has — and how special that makes their own connection in turn.
salute & Peter Xan, “Gbesoke”
The Yoruba word “gbesoke” roughly translates to “lift it up” in English — and after listening to salute’s latest collaboration with Peter Xan, you’ll understand why they chose to use that word as their title. With salute’s top-tier dance production working overtime alongside Xan’s alt-rock voice delivering commands to the listener, “Gbesoke” easily accomplishes its goal and will have you lifting it all up as you bounce along to this banger.
G Flip, “Big Ol’ Hammer”
What even is Pride Month without a big, campy, gay pop song to play? Thankfully, G Flip is here with just the right track for the occasion. “Big Ol’ Hammer,” the Australian star’s country-meets-synth-pop magnum opus, sees them embracing their butch side as they sing about a lover that makes the “feel like a man.” The music video only adds further context, with Flip dancing it out in a garage surrounded by fellow queers in coveralls as they declare that they’re hanging “in a tool belt, like a big ol’ hammer.”
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
Gay-dies and gentle-thems, happy Pride! With the queerest season of the year officially upon us, what better way to celebrate than with some new bangers 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 Ethel Cain’s plaintive new single to Cynthia Erivo’s emotional new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
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Ethel Cain, “Nettles”
After taking a brief detour with her droning EP Perverts, Ethel Cain is back to the task at hand with “Nettles,” the long-awaited first lead single off her forthcoming album, Willoughby Trucker, I’ll Always Love You. Taking fans back five years before the narrative of her critically-acclaimed LP Preacher’s Daughter, “Nettles” paints a gentle, melancholy of a young couple, deeply in love with one another for better or worse. The stunning country-blues production and Cain’s echoing, gorgeous vocal, makes “Nettles” yet another song in her growing discography you’ll keep going back for, picking out new details every time.
Cynthia Erivo, I Forgive You
After a career spent bringing others’ characters to life — whether it’s The Color Purple‘s Celie, Wicked’s Elphaba or dozens of others — Cynthia Erivo steps into herself with her stunning sophomore album I Forgive You. Over the course of 20 songs ranging from slinky R&B (early standout “Play the Woman”), touching adult contemporary, (“She Said”), or straight-up power ballads (“Worst of Me”), Erivo lets her voice do the work, showcasing her once-in-a-lifetime instrument at every given opportunity. As she told Billboard in our latest cover story: “People don’t know me as a musician in the way they’re getting to know me now.” So, get to know the real Cynthia Erivo with her lush new LP.
King Princess, “RIP KP”
What better way to kick off your Pride celebrations than with a capital-L Lesbian Anthem? King Princess returned with “RIP KP” this week, and she made sure that her first single back was a certified banger. Slinky guitars and a shuffling drum beat punctuate Mikaela Straus’ playful vocal, as the singer lists all the various ways the object of her affections can take her — “on the floor,” “up against the door,” you name it, KP is down. The title might suggest a passing on, but rest assured; King Princess is back and better than ever.
Big Thief, “Incomprehensible”
With their latest single “Incomprehensible,” Big Thief are touching on a universal theme — getting older — while still giving it enough specificity to make it feel like something brand new. Adrienne Lenker’s voice, in particular, cuts through this shimmering single, as she struggles with her own moratlity, and what that does to her identity. “And as silver as the rainbow scales that shimmer purple blue/ How can beauty that is living be anything but true?” she questions.
Scott Hoying, “PRAY”
How conversion therapy is still a legal practice in this country is beyond us — but Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying is here with a bit of a rebuttal to the folks claiming you can “pray the gay away.” On his infectious new gospel-tinged single “Pray,” Hoying sings (and believe us when we say that he sings) about his own experiences with the anti-LGBTQ+, before making it clear that the only thing we ought to be praying for is the courage to accept ourselves as we are.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
It’s official! Pride Month is (basically) here, folks! To celebrate the occassion, why not add some new music from you favorite queer artists to your summer playlists? 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 Miley Cyrus’ experimental new album to Girl in Red’s heartbreaking new single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Miley Cyrus, Something Beautiful
Miley Cyrus has been through it since becoming part of the public discourse in her Hannah Montana days. But instead of simply trying to move past the tribulations she’s faced, the singer is ready to make art all about it. Something Beautiful, Cyrus’ oscillating, fluid new visual album, sees the star embracing her own story — warts and all — through scintillating pop-rock (“Easy Lover”), disco (“Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved”) and dance (“Reborn”). The throughline, as it has been on each of her albums, is Cyrus’ unwavering commitment to telling a captivating story through her own artistic medium.
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Girl in Red, “Hemingway”
During her Doing It Again tour in 2024, Girl in Red was in a dark place. Now, on her latest single “Hemingway,” the singer-songwriter is ready to give fans a glimpse of what she was going through. Over an entrancing melody, Marie Ulven sings about her struggle with addiction and depression with shocking honesty, before giving voice to the people in her life that helped pull her out of it. “You better give up this act you don’t know how to play/ And come back down before it’s too late,” she sings on the tearful chorus, once again showing fans what a stunning songwriter she really is.
Wet Leg, “CPR”
Sometimes there’s just that one voice in your head telling you that what you’re doing is maybe not the best idea. On Wet Leg’s slinky new track “CPR,” they tune that voice out and dive in head first to a relationship. Sure, Rhian Teasdale might be wondering aloud “is this love or suicide” over a bone-shaking bassline, but she makes her choice clear within the first line of the bombastic, excellent chorus: “Put your mouth to mine and give me CPR.”
Royal & the Serpent, “Euphoria”
Most people associate the phrase “euphoria” with the rush of sudden joy and pleasure — but Royal & the Serpent wants to access more than just that. With her new track of the same name, Ryan Santiago aims to “feel it all,” and proves as much with the track’s wide-ranging production. From tender, synth-assisted lows to explosive, beat-heavy highs, “Euphoria” feels, aptly, like an emotional rollercoaster. And much like those rides, you’ll be lining up to go on it again as soon as it’s over.
Kate Nash, “GERM”
The terf “TERF” has an elegant simplicity to it — it describes what it means literally (“trans-exclusionary radical feminist”), while also sounding like the simple put-down it is. Kate Nash would like to tweak the phrase just a little bit, though. On “GERM,” her experimental, spoken-word protest track, Nash looks to all the TERFs celebrating a UK court’s recent decision excluding trans women from the definition of “woman” and gives them a new name — “girl exclusionary regressive misogynists.” No, they are “not radical” or “rad at all,” Nash argues. They’re GERMs, trying to infect our public discourse with transphobic vitriol.
King Isis, “LATELY”
With their latest alt-pop anthem, rising singer-songwriter King Isis has had enough of the same routines. “Lately” sees the Oakland artist leaning into her own malleability, favoring change over stability on this angsty new single. Throw in some grungy guitars, a killer vocal performance and some smartly written lyrics, and you’ve got an excellent new track courtesy of King Isis.
Betty Who, “Sweat”
With Pride Month basically here, there’s no better time to find some songs to get you dancing this June. Naturally, Betty Who is here to deliver the goods on “Sweat,” her synthy pop anthem that’s practically built for your forthcoming Pride Month festivities. The driving beat keeps the pressure up, as Who’s voice reaches a new stratosphere, commanding you to get to the nearest dancefloor ASAP.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Before you head off on your three day weekend, take a moment to add some new tracks to your playlista 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 Renee Rapp’s cheeky return to St. Vincent’s Spanish-language reimagination, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Reneé Rapp, “Leave Me Alone”
For every fan of Reneé Rapp’s that’s been asking, ad nauseum, “where’s the single,” the singer has a definitive answer — “leave me alone, b—h, I wanna have fun.” On this rollicking, tongue-in-cheek meta-commentary, Rapp gives her fans everything they could have asked for with her return. The lyrics are just as unhinged and provocative as the singer herself, the production adds some rock vibes to her established pop’n’b sound, and the vibes are simply, immaculate. We don’t predict anyone will be leaving
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St. Vincent & Mon Laferte, “Tiempos Violentos”
While St. Vincent has already shared a Spanish-language version of her standout track “Violent Times” from All Born Screaming, the singer-songwriter certainly hasn’t done so with rising singer-songwriter Mon Laferte. Now, “Tiempos Violentos” is given a new edge, as the pair trade lines in English and Spanish, while expanding the jazzy, dark track to a new, broader world of sound that fits both artists like a glove.
Cerrone & Christine and the Queens, “Catching Feelings”
It turns out when you take disco legend Cerrone and pace him with avant-pop chameleon Christine and the Queens, you get one of the most immediately enjoyable tracks of the year. On “Catching Feelings,” the pair lean into their strengths and create a guitar & drum-driven disco-pop track that will have you grooving along within moments.
Allison Goldfrapp, “Reverberotic”
Goldfrapp fans, wake up! We got a new banger from Allison herself! “Reverberotic,” the latest off the singer’s forthcoming new album Flux, sees Goldfrapp embracing synth-pop, trance and a touch of soul to make for one of her most unique-sounding tracks to date. “Reverberotic, wanna feel that again/ Vibrating light, a supernatural ascent,” she croons on the undulating chorus. “Reverberotic, all your dreams in the cloud/ Your sweet elixir is a part of me now.”
PINKNOISE, “Bittersweet”
It’s been a good week for rising heavy metal rocker PINKNOISE. Not only did the fast-rising artist (known off-stage as Kacey Foxx) sign with Nettwerk Music Group, but they decided to celebrate that fact with a new track. On “Bittersweet,” Foxx delivers the full range of their artistry, starting the song from a cool, quiet space before blowing up the premise and delivering a hard rock ballad that feels like it’s being powered by jet fuel. If you haven’t listened to PINKNOISE before today, let this be your official notice to go press play now.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
Pride Month is only two weeks away, so now’s the best time to start packing your playlists with queer bangers. 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 Kesha’s latest banger to Arca’s glitchy new track, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Kesha, “BOY CRAZY.”
While fans have been thrilled to see Kesha looking back on her early-2010s stylings with her new songs, the pop star decided to turn her eyes to the future for her latest offering. Sure, “BOY CRAZY” takes a few of its cues from glittering 80s synth-pop, but the majority of the track plays like a revved up hyperpop anthem, as Kesha whets her appetite for the male form in this thrilling new track.
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Arca, “Puta”
Throughout her career, Arca has prided herself on zigging where people thought she might zag. With her double single release, Arca gives fans a song they can dance to with “Puta” — but it’s her second song “Sola” that shines brightest here. Over a scintillating beat and with a vocoder-assisted vocal, Arca lets herself strip some of the artifice away to show her own vulnerability. “I don’t want any more damage in love,” she sings in Spanish.
G Flip, “Disco Cowgirl”
What says “it’s summer” more than some ’80s synths and an anthemic vocal? Australian star G Flip is ready to ring in the season with “Disco Cowgirl,” their glittering new track dedicated to hot nights, messy relationships and good music. Along with providing some of the cleanest production of their career, “Disco Cowgirl” sounds like a vocal level up for G, as they deliver a full-blown belt of the song’s thesis in the final moments of the chorus: “Could’ve been my disco cowgirl/ But you rode off into the sunset without me.”
Frankie Grande, “Boys”
Turns out vocals run in the family! Frankie Grande debuted his latest single “Boys” on Friday (May 16), a club-ready pop track that sees the singer setting his sights on … well, you saw the title! Using his airy falsetto over a hard-hitting beat makes Grande’s new track an immediate contender for “That Song You Keep Hearing at Pride Festivals” in 2025.
Orla Gartland, Everybody Needs a Hero (Extended Edition)
Who doesn’t love a victory lap? After earning critical acclaim for her excellent 2024 album Everybody Needs a Hero, the Irish singer-songwriter is giving fans five bonus tracks on a new extended edition of the LP. Ranging from post-punk rage-outs (“Now What?”) or indie-rock kiss-offs (immediate standout “Pest” with Tommy Lefroy), the deluxe version of Hero gives Gartland’s fans just enough new mixed in with the vibe sound they’ve come to love.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
In need of some new tunes from your favorite queer artists? We’ve got you covered — 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 Miley Cyrus‘ emotional new song to Kali Uchis’ introspective new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Miley Cyrus, “More to Lose”
With Something Beautiful’s first two offerings (the title track and “End of the World”), Miley Cyrus gave fans two unique looks into her forthcoming new project. “More to Lose” continues that trend, stripping back the art-rock and glam-pop artifice of the album’s other singles to deliver a lofi, stripped-back ballad examining the memory of a lost love. The pop singer’s smooth alto voice glides effortlessly over lush instrumentation as she bids farewell to a bygone relationship: “I knew someday that one would have to choose,” she sings. “I just thought we had more to lose.”
Halsey & Amy Lee (of Evanescence), “Hand That Feeds”
Having already collaborated with Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for 2021, Halsey’s ready to take another spin around the block with a goth legend. On “Hand That Feeds,” featuring Evanescence’s lead vocalist Amy Lee, Halsey expertly blends her own pop stylings with the alternative metal that made her collaborator a star in the early 2000s.
Kali Uchis, Sincerely,
Kali Uchis has never been satisfied with fitting into just one lane. Sincerely, the singer’s latest album, takes yet another bold step in a new direction for the Latin star, as she explores soul, pop and even doo-wop (with a stunning bit of Amy Winehouse-esque flair on album stand out “All I Can Say”). It certainly doesn’t hurt that the unifying factor for all of Uchis’ projects — her flawless voice — continues to shine on this dreamy new album.
Maren Morris, Dreamsicle
“I was always too good for your a– anyway,” Maren Morris belts on “Too Good,” one of the immediate standouts off her vibrant new LP Dreamsicle. It also serves as something of a tone reset for an album that refuses to take itself too seriously; all throughout Dreamsicle, Morris explores a world post-divorce, as she dives back into one night stands (“Bed No Breakfast”), occasional meltdowns (“Cry in the Car”) and leaving the things behind that don’t serve her (“Lemonade”). Leaning hard into her pop sound, Morris has never sounded like she’s having more fun than on the sticky sweet Dreamsicle.
Snow Wife, “Sweat”
Need something to strut down the street to? Allow Snow Wife to assist with “Sweat,” her thrilling new Y2K pop jam. Blending together the stylings of Britney Spears with The Pussycat Dolls, the up-and-coming pop singer bounces her way through this sultry new song as she commands her listeners to dance along — and after your first listen, we’d be shocked if you managed to resist the call.
Jake Wesley Rogers, In the Key of Love
There’s a reason why Jake Wesley Rogers was heralded as a generational talent by none other than Sir Elton John. Take just one listen to his debut album In the Key of Love and you’ll hear that familiar brand of confessional, deeply personal songwriting filtered through a pop lens so inherently catchy that you cannot help but hit the replay button. Rogers’ commitment to blending pop and gospel sounds together into a harmonious new sound is a statement enough in and of itself — one that you won’t be able to forget after you’ve heard the words he’s singing on identity, spirituality and finding comfort in who you are.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
May is here, which means Pride Month is just around the corner — so start prepping your playlists with 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.
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See latest videos, charts and news
From Dove Cameron‘s flirtatious new pop song to Blondshell’s much-anticipated new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Dove Cameron, “French Girls”
Dove Cameron knows people are watching her closely — now, she’s giving them something to look at. On “French Girls,” the singer’s stunning new dance single, Cameron invites her fans to make like Jack from Titanic and paint her like one of the song’s titular Parisian women, all while promising to give them lots to work with. A thundering beat accompanies the star’s voice as she lets a campy affectation take over. “Everything I do,” she assures her audience, “I do it for you.”
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Blondshell, If You Asked For a Picture
Sabrina Teitelbaum is ready to have a conversation about boundaries. If You Asked For a Picture, the singer-songwriter’s latest album as Blondshell, takes a life’s worth of questions about existing in the public eye and expertly examines what it means to let people see you. Whether she’s exploring emotional burnout (on album standout “Event of a Fire”) or her own perceptions of sexual identity (“Model Rockets”), Teitelbaum never flinches with her lyrics or her well-curated production, making If You Asked For a Picture an immediate classic in Blondshell’s growing sonic universe.
Model/Actriz, Pirouette
The world is in desperate need of some excellent new rock music, and Model/Actriz is more than happy to fill in that gap. With its newest album Pirouette, the band levels up their sound in scale, scope and standing, making for a winning 11-track project that paints a portrait of a group ready for an even bigger breakthrough. From the staccato guitar lines of “Vespers” to the delirious beats of “Poppy,” Model/Actriz leaves no desire unfulfilled on this excellent new album.
Brooke Eden, “Giddy Up!”
“I don’t care where you come from,” Brooke Eden offers in the opening moments of her new song. “Just listen to the sound of the kick drum.” With just a few words, Eden delivers a thesis statement on “Giddy Up,” her queer-inclusive new country single. A proper hoedown ensues throughout the rest of the track, as Eden commands the listeners to scoot their boots onto the dance floor, while never letting them forget that this song — and even this genre at large — can be for everyone, not just those who’ve historically benefitted from it.
KiNG MALA, And You Who Drowned In the Grief of a Golden Thing
If Lady Gaga incited chaos upon the release of her critically-lauded album Mayhem in March, then KiNG MALA is here to keep that bedlam going with her debut album. Throughout And You Who Drowned, MALA self-destructs (“Ode to a Black Hole”), rebuilds (“Garden”) and deconstructs (“GøD”) just about everything that she can get her hands on, all while exploring some of her biggest and best sounds to date.
Maddie Zahm, “Mothers & Daughters”
With Mother’s Day coming up in just over a week, Maddie Zahm decided to share an early tribute to her own mom with “Mothers & Daughters.” Throughout the touching new track, the singer-songwriter doesn’t shy away from some of the harder truths about the familial dynamic, including the times she found herself “screaming ‘I hate you, and you’re ruining my life.’” But the gorgeously composed track comes around to the conclusion that, as difficult as the relationship can sometimes be, it doesn’t change the immense love shared between Zahm and her mom.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
If you’re looking to freshen up your playlists with some new tunes from your favorite queer artists, you’ve come to the right place. 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 Cynthia Erivo‘s dramatic new ballad to Betty Who’s empowering new anthem, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Cynthia Erivo, “Worst of Me”
Sure, Cynthia Erivo has proven time and time again just how good her singing voice is — but with her new single, she’s proving that she’s a singular artist, too. “Worst of Me,” the second single off Erivo’s forthcoming new album I Forgive You, takes her powerhouse vocal to new levels as she bids farewell to a toxic relationship. Sweeping strings and layered harmonies bring richness to the track, as Erivo sends her unparalleled voice to new heights on this dizzying new song.
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Betty Who, “Run”
Looking for a little hit of ’80s synth-pop? Allow Betty Who to help with “Run,” her electrified new song paying homage to the thrilling camp of the era. Over glittering synths, Who riffs and, well, runs her way through this upbeat homage to perseverance, and doing so with the kind of gusto that you can only hope for from a pop star of her caliber. “Don’t you give up on me,” she asks at the end of the chorus. “I just wanna run.”
Yeule, “Evangelic Girl Is a Gun”
To anyone still earnestly trying to put art-pop star Yeule in box; how’s that going? The titular track off the Singaporean star’s forthcoming new album Evangelic Girl Is a Gun is a masterclass in experimentation, as Yeule and producer Kin Leonn dabble in early 2010s electronica, trip-hop, rock and pop, all while creating one of the wildest-sounding new songs of the year thus far. After finding breakthrough success with Softscars in 2023, Yeule is clearly going for another immediate classic — and judging by their output thus far, they’re on the right track.
Trixie Mattel & VINCINT, “Supermodel (You Betta Work)” (RuPaul cover)
Who doesn’t love RuPaul’s classic house anthem “Supermodel?” What queer person hasn’t looked at themselves in the mirror at some point and yelled “you betta work?” For the uninitiated (and everyone else for that matter), drag star Trixie Mattel and pop virtuoso VINCINT are here to give you a modern take on the dance classic. With Mattel on DJ duty and VINCINT utilizing his silky-smooth voice, the updated rendition of “Supermodel” manages to pull off what every cover hopes it can by giving the original its flowers while standing out as a track of it’s own. To paraphrase fellow drag star Plane Jane: Kudos to Trixie and VINCINT for doing this. For spilling.
Chrissy Chlapeck, “Cherry Do You Love Me”
After breaking through with her clubby 2024 EP Girlie Pop, Chrissy Chlapecka is ready to zig where you thought she might zag. Taking on the persona of “Nicole Vegas,” Chlapecka dropped “Cherry Do You Love Me,” her raucous, rocked out new single that trades in her pounding club beats for blown-out guitars. Her voice naturally fits this style, as she impressive wails her way through this fiery ode to the titular Cherry. If this is any indication of what’s to come for Chlapecka, then buckle up — her new era is already promising to be a wild ride.
Bells Larsen, “Might”
There is a moment on Canadian singer-songwriter Bells Larsen’s latest single “Might” where something magic happens. As his soft, falsetto voice descends from the song’s chorus, where he opined that his voice “might get deep,” Larsen’s old vocal comes in contact with his new, affirmed voice — a beautiful baritone — harmonizing with his past self. Having the foresight to create a loving tribute to the process of transitioning by duetting with your pre-transition self is one thing; but to execute that idea as deftly and lovingly as Bells Larsen does here is another, more profound accomplishment entirely.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Spring has officially sprung, meaning there’s no better time for you to update your playlists with some 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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From Japanese Breakfast’s stunning new album to yet another new Lil Nas X single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Japanese Breakfast, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
If Jubilee was Japanese Breakfast’s exploration on defiant joy, than consider For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) as the inverse — a meditation on the darker sides of the singer-songwriter’s internal life. Throughout her fourth studio album, Michelle Zauner leans into dour narratives about lost love (“Honey Water”), paralyzing anxiety (“Picture Window”) and much more, all while teaming up with co-producer Blake Mills to render those visions through lush, understated melodies that bear even further depth the closer you listen.
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Lil Nas X, “Lean On My Body”
In the world of Lil Nas X, more is more. A week after he dropped five songs in a row, the pop-rap superstar unveiled yet another new single, and it’s one his fans have been waiting on for three years. “Lean on My Body,” the latest track to be released in Lil Nas X’s Dreamboy rollout, sees Lil Nas flexing harder than ever on his detractors, letting them know that they can pray for his downfall all they want — but he’s not going anywhere, “My next move always gon’ be better than your best one,” he spits. “You b–ches couldn’t even see Lil Nas-y in a warmup, a tryout, a test run.”
Ashnikko, “Itty Bitty”
Ashnikko is back baby, and she’s ready to keep your attention with her risqué new single. “Itty Bitty,” much like plenty of Ashnikko singles before it, sees the singer doing on a sexy, self-destructive rampage in the wake of a breakup, as she puts on her most revealing outfit and goes hunting. The gloriously chaotic production and pounding club rhythm gives “Itty Bitty” that little bit of extra oomph, meaning this new track from Ashnikko will be a surefire hit at a gay club near you.
Shamir, “Neverwannago”
Even though Ten, Shamir’s forthcoming new album, is slated to be the pioneering singer-songwriter’s final album, that doesn’t mean we should cry because it’s over; in fact, he’s encouraging you to smile because it happened. “Neverwannago,” the lead single off his last album, sees Shamir employing ’90s alternative pop to convey his deep, unyielding love for his partner, as he begs them not to leave him alone. “I don’t wanna go back to feeling empty,” he sings. “‘Cause I’m not well.”
Big Freedia, “Take My Hand”
In a time where the concept of Christianity is being wielded as a cudgel by a nefarious group of bigots wishing to strip people of their fundamental rights and freedoms, Big Freedia is here to offer a rebellious and joyful alternative. “Take My Hand,” the first track off the Queen of Bounce’s forthcoming gospel album, is still fueled by the same spirit fans of Freedia have come to know over the last few decades. Over a turbo-charged beat, a series of samples and some gorgeous choral vocals, Freedia reminds everyone that the point is to invite each other in — not push each other away.
Jake Wesley Rogers, “Hot Gospel”
If you’re a little too burned out from the religious side of it all for Freedia’s new song, might we recommend Jake Wesley Rogers’ tongue-in-cheek new pop jam, “Hot Gospel.” The song follows the rising singer-songwriter as he narrates a lifetimes’ worth of expectations that have led him to a therapist’s office to unpack his trauma. While he does that, he pulls out pure ’70s pop nostalgia to make an exceedingly catchy, deeply fun song about working through religious emotional damage.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
