Queer Jams of the Week

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

From Lady Gaga’s Joker-inspired new album to Willow’s new team-up with Kamasi Washington, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Lady Gaga, Harlequin

From what little we’ve seen of Harleen “Lee” Quinzel in the upcoming film Joker: Folie à Deux, it’s safe to say that Lady Gaga’s character is not so easy to describe. Yet Gaga sets out to do just that on Harlequin, her freewheeling new album that explores Harley Quinn’s psyche through a blur of genre-defying songs. Blasting her way through modernized, reimagined versions of jazz standards and classic showtunes (“Get Happy,” “That’s Life” and “Good Morning” among them), Gaga also takes a moment to deliver deeply personal, emotive original tracks, like on album standout “Happy Mistake.” As fans keep waiting for the singer’s long-awaited seventh studio album, Harlequin offers a moment of respite in the chaotic soundscape of her twisted character’s mind.

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Willow feat. Kamasi Washington, “Wanted”

One of the standout tracks on Willow’s new deluxe version of her excellent 2024 album Empathogen is “Wanted,” a flittering, frantic new song that perfectly encapsulates the singer’s experimental approach to her latest project. Calling up saxophone aficionado Kamasi Washington for an assist, “Wanted” sees the young singer flipping between tempos, genres and lyrical ideas as she insists that the “wanted to run” before falling back into the routine of a relationship: “I wanna be infatuated” she breathes on this head-spinning new song.

Sophie, SOPHIE

Trying to communicate all the Sophie was in a single album is a virtually impossible task — yet Benny Long, the late producer’s brother, does a commendable job on Sophie, the posthumous album comprising of 16 songs the pop iconoclast worked on up until her untimely death. Spanning techno, pop, R&B and industrial experimental sounds, this undulating project takes listeners on a journey all throughout Sophie’s many different sonic touchpoints, while offering slots to featured guests on the way — including Hannah Diamond, Kim Petras, Bibi Bourelly and more — to pay tribute to the icon one final time.

Michelle, Songs About You Specifically

Welcome to New York pop collective Michelle’s imperial pop phase. On their third album Songs About You Specifically, the group embraces the cult of personality built around boy bands and girl groups, alongside their off-kilter sonic stylings, to make a record that sounds like an instant classic from the moment it starts. The sweltering, talk-box assisted stylings of “Akira,” in particular, stand out as an all-timer in the band’s discography. Songs About You Specifically may not fit into a clean-cut genre, but that’s what makes Michelle’s new effort that much more fascinating to hear.

Towa Bird, “Rat Race”

In 2024, Towa Bird has been enjoying a new level of popularity among music fans — now, she’d like to talk about the work it took to get here. On “Rat Race,” the British guitarist goes out of her way to point out the troubling trend of streaming algorithms, label execs and nefarious external forces trying to dictate the way her career ought to go — “High notes when you’re singing my praise/ Low lows, I don’t get enough plays,” she seethes on the punk-inspired opening verse. Through fuzzy guitar lines and drum section that never relents, Bird makes her feelings clear: “Go f–k your stupid f–kin’ rat race.”

Katie Gavin, “Inconsolable”

When Katie Gavin said that she was inspired by Lilith Fair for her solo album, she was not joking. “Inconsolable,” the latest single off her forthcoming LP What a Relief, sees Gavin diving headfirst into the folk-forward singer-songwriter aesthetic, complete with devastatingly honest lyrics, beautiful banjo and fiddle orchestrations, and a vocal that conveys all the pain and wonder of choosing to keep trying in a relationship. Fans of MUNA’s stunning ballad “Kind of Girl” are in for a treat when they hear Gavin absolutely nail this gorgeous folksy ode.

Michaela Jaé, 33

Michaela Jaé is here to let you have it — on her debut album 33, the Pose and Loot star declares that she is a musical force to be reckoned with. Telling the story of her own journey of self-discovery through the lens of an android (named Model 33F7) re-integrating her own memories to find out who she truly is. Over a buffet of power pop (“I Am”), R&B (“Forever”) and funk (“Started From”), Jaé accomplishes her goal — and successfully re-introduces herself to the world.

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

With fall just around the corner, there’s no better time to update your autumn playlists with 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.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From Charli XCX & Troye Sivan’s amped-up new remix to Demi Lovato’s touching new ballad, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Charli XCX feat. Troye Sivan, “Talk Talk (Remix)”

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The best remixes are the ones that take the concept behind an original song and completely transform it into something new. Charli XCX and Troye Sivan accomplish exactly that on their thrilling rendition of “Talk Talk,” keeping a handful of memorable melodies from the original song while completely recontextualizing the track into a sweaty, bouncing club banger. Their vocals pair perfectly together as they talk their way into their respective lovers’ beds, making the hype around this remix much more than just talk (talk).

Trending on Billboard

Demi Lovato, “You’ll Be OK, Kid”

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In many ways, Demi Lovato’s new documentary Child Star is an opportunity for them to speak to their younger self. With the documentary’s accompanying song “You’ll Be OK, Kid,” Lovato takes that idea to its literal conclusion, singing a lullaby-esque melody to a younger, less-experienced Demi. She warns her former self to be wary of “sharks in the water” and “thorns on the roses,” but concludes with assurance that ultimately, things will work out.

Joy Oladokun, “I’d Miss the Birds”

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Joy Oladokun is ready to move on. On her stunning new single “I’d Miss the Birds,” the pop-folk singer-songwriter pens a bittersweet farewell to the city of Nashville, a place that has simultaneously helped her become the person she is, while also being the place that she has entirely outgrown. Throughout her brutally-honest track, Oladokun makes clear all the things she won’t miss, before admitting that leaving somewhere you’ve called home for so long is never easy. “But it doesn’t mean I should hang ’round and suffer,” she determines.

Arca & Tokischa, “Chama”

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What happens when you take two of the most fascinating experimental pop artists in the game and put them together on one song? You get something like “Chama,” the entrancing new single out courtesy of Arca and Tokischa. Throughout this pulsating anthem, the duo trade sexed-up verses in their native Spanish, which the shifting, percolating beat constantly switches, morphs, speed, slows and intensifies, making “Chama” yet another slice of thrilling music courtesy of two artists intent on changing things up.

Soccer Mommy, “Driver”

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If Taylor Swift was admitting she might be the problem with “Anti-Hero,” then Sophie Allison (a.k.a. Soccer Mommy) is thanking her lover for sticking around anyways on “Driver.” This classic, guitar-and-drum indie-rock track sees Allison embracing her role as the indecisive, spaced-out girlfriend, waiting for her partner to bring her back to Earth. It’s simple, effective, and a testament to Soccer Mommy’s staying power as a rock artist that she keeps you listening throughout this easy-to-enjoy single.

Pale Waves, “Thinking About You”

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Speaking of effective rock vibes, Pale Waves is here to once again prove just how good their new era sounds. “Thinking About You” follows previous singles like “Perfume” and “Gravity” in its ’90s goth-rock-meets-pop inspiration, as frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie finds herself stuck on a past relationship no matter how hard she tries to move on. The soft guitars and Baron-Gracie’s top-tier vocal sends “Thinking About You” to new heights for the band.

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

Summer might be over, but new releases from your favorite queer artists are still heating up. 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

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From Halsey’s ’90s-inspired new single to Mxmtoon’s dreamy new offering, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Halsey, “Ego”

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With an album title like The Great Impersonator, it’s clear that Halsey is ready to flex her range. “Ego,” the latest offering from the singer’s forthcoming new LP, sees them embracing a ’90s alt-rock sound to help them reign in their own psyche. Powerful drums and fluid guitar lines drive the new track forward, as Halsey declares that she “should try to kill my ego/ ‘Cause if I don’t, my ego might kill me.” Regardless of who is killing who, we can say for certain that Halsey definitely killed this song.

Trending on Billboard

Mxmtoon feat. Kero Kero Bonito, “The Situation”

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Getting older can be tough, and Mxmtoon would like the record to show that she’s handling it as best she can. Throughout “The Situation,” the singer-songwriter very simply laments the passage of time as another birthday comes around. The folk-rock sound Mxmtoon and guests Kero Kero Bonito employ give the track a boost of cheer, while lyrics like “we get older and then we die/ and there’s nothing you can do about it” even the mood back out, making for a delightful song about the inescapability of age.

Sevdaliza feat. Anitta, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult, “Alibi Pt. 2”

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With her original track “Alibi,” Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar and Yseult painted a picture of a female bond so close that she could literally count on them to help her cover up a crime — for the latest remix of the track, the trio turns into a quartet to drive home that point. “Alibi Pt. 2” adds Brazilian superstar Anitta to the mix, making the queer anthem that much more palpable as the artists trade verses over this baile-funk track about women across the gender spectrum having each other’s backs, come what may.

Ashnikko, “Paint the Town Blue”

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Ashnikko has long relished her role as the anti-hero that alt-pop music needs — now, she’s ready to revel in that status on “Paint the Town Blue.” Release in concert with the trailer of season 2 of Netflix’s hit League of Legends show Arcane, “Paint the Town Blue” sees Ashnikko employing hard-hitting, rock-inspired production and bossed-up lyrics to give the series’ protagonist Jinx just that little bit of extra edge: “Oh, you want a villain?” Ashnikko asks. “Lemme show you how I evil.”

Lauren Auder and Wendy & Lisa, “I Would Die 4 U (Prince cover)”

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Reinterpreting a Prince classic is a risky choice, especially with a beloved single like “I Would Die 4 U.” But singer Lauren Auder’s team up with funk-rock icons (and former members of the Revolution) Wendy & Lisa not only pays tribute to the late icon’s work, but gives it new meaning when sung from a trans person’s perspective. Part of Red Hot’s forthcoming Transa benefit album for trans & non-binary communities, this glorious, exalted cover of “I Would Die 4 U” brings new life to a song that deserves it, from a trio of artists exceedingly well-equipped to deliver an all-time great cover.

Sleater-Kinney, “Here Today”

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Rock duo Sleater-Kinney have just a few more things to say. Off their upcoming deluxe version of this year’s Little Rope LP, “Here Today” sees Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein doing what they do best — recognizing life’s shortcomings on a truly delectable rock song. Over a thrumming melody of fuzzy guitars and crisp drums, the pair lament “a world that’s gone insane,” while simultaneously understanding the need to enjoy life while you can. After all, we’re all “here today and gone the next.”

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

In need of some new songs from your favorite queer artists? You’re in luck — 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 brash new album to Halsey’s rock-tinged new track, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Tinashe, Quantum Baby

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For the last few months, Tinashe has been loudly asking if somebody would please match her freak. Now, the pop star is ready to match her own freak with her brand new album Quantum Baby. Throughout her brief, 8-song album that serves as a follow-up to the viral success of lead single “Nasty,” Tinashe flexes her artistic dexterity, flowing effortlessly between moving R&B ballads (like on early album standout “Red Flags”) or gassed-up anthems (the ebullient “No Broke Boys” in particular). Don’t let the scientific title fool you — there’s nothing small about Quantum Baby.

Trending on Billboard

Halsey, “Lonely Is the Muse”

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For fans who were hoping to hear more of Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power rock sound, “Lonely Is the Muse” is for you. On this heartbreaking new goth rock track, Halsey rages against the cycle of inspiration-becomes-commodity that she’s experienced throughout her career, wondering at what point in this process she’s meant to find meaning or joy. Her accolades, myriad though they may be, don’t make up for the empty feeling she finds herself translating to this punchy rock song, as she boldly declares that she’s tired of being “reduced to just a body here in someone else’s bed.”

The Blessed Madonna feat. Kylie Minogue, “Edge of Saturday Night”

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Why let a good party end when you could just keep it going? That’s the vibe that suffuses The Blessed Madonna’s delectable new dance cut “Edge of Saturday Night,” featuring guest vocals from none other than pop superstar Kylie Minogue. Over a set of Madonna’s crunchy house pianos and a blistering beat, Minogue narrates the story of a party gone right, as the pair dive deeper into the evening with this excellent new single.

Pale Waves, “Gravity”

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Where Chappell Roan left off with “Good Luck, Babe,” Pale Waves is ready to grab the baton and run with it. On the band’s dream-rock-inspired new song “Gravity” tells the story of a girl frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie met who “chose Jesus over me,” as she explains in a statement. Despite her best attempts to not let this girl pull her in, Baron-Gracie can’t quite resist, as she belts about being pulled back to into her would-be lover’s orbit. And much like the lyrics state, you can try to resist the orbital draw of this song’s glimmering melodies, but we have a feeling you’ll find its pull too irresistible.

Hope Tala, “Thank Goodness”

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Hope Tala used to feel bad about her breakup — instead, she’s saying “phew.” On “Thank Goodness,” Tala’s excellent new track, sees the singer employing her honed neo-soul sound to let her former lover know that she’s doing way better without them. Over a light bass line and some kinetic drums, Tala celebrates dodging the bullet that would be a continued relationship with her ex. As she puts it, “Thought I’d go back, but I didn’t do it/ Thank goodness.”

Peach PRC, “Time of My Life”

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In a time when many pop artists are choosing to do less, Australian up-and-comer Peach PRC is swinging in the exact opposite direction. With her latest song “Time of My Life,” Peach offers a masterclass in pop maximalism as she reminisces on some complicated memories through her own, unique brand of rose-colored glasses. Add in the high camp music video — which sees the singer combining her fairy princess aesthetic in an all-women’s prison — and you’ve got a deliriously fun pop track on your hands.

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

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.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From Halsey’s heartbreaking new single to Mxmtoon’s country-tinged new track, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Halsey, “Lucky”

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Britney Spears’ beloved track “Lucky” has always been a song about the pitfalls of public approval — now, Halsey’s simply giving it an update. With her new track of the same name, the 29-year-old singer interpolates Spears’ hit into a softer, acoustic context to drive home the message of life under a modern microscope. Halsey dives deep into endless internet speculation about her life, from the dissolution of her relationship to her health struggles, before dropping her own twist on Spears’ words like a hammer: “But I’m so lucky, I’m a star/ But I cry, cry, cry in my lonely heart.”

Trending on Billboard

Mxmtoon, “I Hate Texas”

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Sometimes you get your heart broken so bad that you literally have to change genres. That’s the quandry Mxmtoon is living through on “I Hate Texas,” her country-adjacent new single that sees the singer moving away from her ex in order to find some well-earned peace. Over twinkling, acoustic guitars, the singer declares that she may not like her current circumstances, but she’ll take it over another day sweating over her former flame.

Katie Gavin, “Aftertaste”

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Fans of MUNA have known for years about lead singer Katie Gavin’s vocal prowess — but now, the singer is taking on her own spotlight as a solo act. With “Aftertaste,” Gavin’s debut solo single, the singer re-introduces herself with little in the way of fanfare. The track includes a few backing harmonies and some gentle acoustic guitars to bolster the true star, Gavin’s stunning voice and incredible lyricism. Telling the story of a meeting with a past lover and letting those repressed feelings take control, “Aftertaste” is just an appetizer for what promises to be an excellent solo project from the MUNA star.

Sophie feat. Popstar, “One More Time”

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Building on the fast acclaim of “Reason Why,” Sophie is back with another pair of posthumous singles. While “Berlin Nightmare” bears a lot of the signature, game-changing production that fans have come to associate with the iconic super-producer’s sound, it’s “One More Time” featuring Popstar that feels like something fresh. Undulating synths and glitching beats create a mechanical fantasy throughout this stunning, not-quite-ambient track, making for a song that feels as entrancing as it does unnerving — a winning combination for the late, great Sophie.

Orla Gartland, “The Hit”

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Empathy, we can all agree, is great. But rising Irish singer-songwriter Orla Gartland would like to point out that sometimes, empathy can self-destructive. “The Hit” tracks Gartland’s own struggle with being perhaps too empathetic, as she relates so hard to her significant other that it becomes unsustainable. Arpeggiating guitar riffs and off-kilter drums create a feeling of discombobulation to match the singer’s own psychic troubles, making “The Hit” as powerful a punch as you could hope for from this soon-to-be-star.

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

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.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

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.

Trending on Billboard

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.

Trending on Billboard

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:

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.

Explore

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.

Trending on Billboard

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: