Queer Jams of the Week

Spring has officially sprung, which means it’s time to freshen up your warm weather playlists with some new tunes from you 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 Remi Wolf’s groovy new single to Adrianne Lenker’s stunning new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Remi Wolf, “Cinderella”

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Everybody needs a good fairy godmother in their life — so, Remi Wolf decided to be her own. With “Cinderella,” the first single off the star’s upcoming album Big Ideas, Wolf breaks down all of her different moods into colorful subcategories, narrating the rollercoaster of emotion she constantly finds herself on. As you listen, the ’70s-inspired groove will slowly ratchet up, giving you ample room to dance off even your greatest worries. And that’s largely the point, as Wolf sings on this deliriously fun song; “Baby girl, won’t you dry your eyes?/ Don’t stress because you’re doing it right.”

Trending on Billboard

Adrianne Lenker, Bright Future

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In a music landscape where overproduction can feel like the new norm, Big Thief star Adrianne Lenker is offering something antithetical. On Bright Future, the singer-songwriter’s latest solo project, Lenker gives fans a direct line to the creative process — every song on the new track was recorded directly to tape, live in studio. Typically armed with her voice (as well as the voices of a few collaborators) and delicate guitars, Lenker proves her less-is-more thesis is well worth listening to, especially when paired with her phenomenal songwriting skills. Bright Future makes a big promise with it’s title; fortunately for us, Lenker delivers in spades.

Fletcher, In Search of the Antidote

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Fletcher’s ready to sing about something else. After a career’s worth of songs about love and heartbreak, Fletcher’s latest LP In Search of the Antidote sees the singer-songwriter turning her gaze inward, asking herself questions about identity (“Ego Talking”), self-defeating mentalities (“Attached to You”) and yes, occasionally, romance (“Crush”). With her lyrical skills honed to a new level, Fletcher proves throughout Antidote that she’s ready for the next challenge life throws at her, whatever it may be.

Girl in Red feat. Sabrina Carpenter, “You Need Me Now?”

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What happens when you take two headline-making openers from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and put them together on a song? It sounds like you get a pop banger. Girl in Red teams up with Sabrina Carpenter on the cutting “You Need Me Now?,” a driving pop-rock single that sees the pair of pop singers going for their respective exes’ jugulars. With powerful guitars and frenetic drums, the duo let their former flames know that talk is cheap, and their time is officially up. So, to answer the titles question — yes, we definitely need more Girl in Red and Sabrina Carpenter right now.

Gossip, Real Power

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Nearly 12 years after they released their last album, pioneering indie rock group Gossip is back and ready for more. Real Power sees the trio taking on a wide spectrum on sound, be it disco-pop (“Give It Up For Love”), funk (“Don’t Be Afraid”) or sheer rock (“Real Power”). But even with a variety of sonic textures, the group remains committed to what makes them Gossip — high camp aesthetics and powerful lyrics meant to challenge what you accept as the “norm.

King Isis, Shed

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After giving fans a panoply of pop songs on their EP Scales, King Isis would like to dive into something a little bit darker. Throughout Shed, that is exactly what the up-and-coming artist does, turning up the grungy punk aesthetics but keeping the artistry that fans have come to love, crafting a breif, affecting tour through the angstier side of their musical output.

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

In between streams of the newest Ariana Grande album, why not listen to some new tunes from your favorite LGBTQ 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 Girl in Red’s new pop-rock jam to Maggie Lindemann’s latest EP, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Girl in Red, “DOING IT AGAIN BABY”

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Get ready to rock out with Girl in Red’s latest feel-good anthem. “DOING IT AGAIN BABY,” the titular song off the singer-songwriter’s forthcoming album, is a picture-perfect slice of pop-rock drama, as Girl in Red basks in her own self image. Celebrating her fashion, her sound and even her taste in vintage wines, this instantly irresistable jam is sure to help you party your way through the weekend.

Trending on Billboard

Maggie Lindemann, HEADSPLIT

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For all the folks who get caught in their own head, Maggie Lindemann’s new EP HEADSPLIT is for you. On this eight-track collection of absolute bangers, the rising star takes her classic pop-punk sound and elevates it with ease, blending in some goth-rock, hyperpop and industrial for good measure. Singing about everything from red flags (“Deprecating”) to crippling anxiety (“Taking Over Me”), Lindemann makes sure that HEADSPLIT lives up to its title, in both ear-splitting sound and mind-bending lyrics.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise, “Superstar”

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Following the departure of their bassist Charlie Holt earlier this week, indie rock group Rainbow Kitten Surprise is ready to move forward into their fantasy with their latest single. “Superstar” sees the group taking a more pop-focused approach to their well-established sound — tightening the production and layering in some delicate guitars that build to a pounding chorus, where lead singer Ela Melo finds reassurance from her partner. From start to finish, there’s simply no denying that “Superstar” delivers on its promise.

Allison Ponthier, “Skin”

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Leave it to singer-songwriter Allison Russell to deliver a series of heartbreaking confessions with a soft smile. Throughout “Skin,” the singer drops lines that will make your heart drop (“She’s the people’s princess, pitchfork songstress, and I’m a gross fly on the wall” lands like a gut punch), all while delivering her dreamiest, most blissed-out sound to date. It’s a strange dichotomy that works in perfect synchronicity, as Ponthier yearns for the idealized version of herself over her most ideal song to date.

Jon Foreman feat. Joy Oladokun, “In Bloom”

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You might not immediately think that the lead singer of Switchfoot and a fast-rising folk singer would make a good pairing on a song — yet with “In Bloom,” Jon Foreman and Joy Oladokun prove that they most certainly do. The soft strums and gentle drum beats underscore the duo’s introspective lyrics throughout the gorgeous new song, as they look for hope in a world where it often feels in short supply, beautifully playing off one another’s voices with each passing verse. Spring may not quite be here yet, but with “In Bloom,” it might as well be.

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

With Leap Day officially behind us, let’s use the extra time we’ve been given to jam out to some new songs from our 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 St. Vincent’s furious new rock song to Fletcher’s latest pop confessional, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

St. Vincent, “Broken Man”

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“What’re you looking at? Who the hell do you think I am?” When you hear St. Vincent snarl those lyrics on the chorus of her bombastic new single “Broken Man,” you understand that there’s no “character” here — it’s Annie Clark, in all her glory. But the star’s scornful lyrics are just one piece of the puzzle that is “Broken Man,” as the self-produced track gradually ramps up its industrial furor with each passing moment. Guitar chords become blown out sirens, drums invade like an approaching phalanx of soldiers (thanks to all-star assists from Mark Guiliana and Dave Grohl) and Clark’s voice growls with intensity as she asks again; what are you looking at? The answer, it turns out, is an artist at the pinnacle of her craft.

Trending on Billboard

Fletcher, “Doing Better”

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What happens in the aftermath of releasing a much-discussed breakthrough hit? Fletcher would like you to know exactly what goes down on “Doing Better,” her latest pop banger dedicated to the fallout from her last pop banger, “Becky’s So Hot.” Written in the form of a letter to her ex, Fletcher immediately establishes the myriad ways Fletcher’s been doing better since “making [your girlfriend] go viral” — new cars, “bougie IVs,” performing with Miley Cyrus — before declaring that, at the end of the day, it didn’t change as much as she’d have liked. “My tummy still hurts,” she opines. “Why does better feel worse?”

Olly Alexander, “Dizzy”

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Eurovision is about to get flipped on its head thanks to Olly Alexander’s new single. Shedding the Years & Years label and moving forward as a solo artist, Alexander’s new single “Dizzy” — which will serve as the United Kingdom’s entry in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest — spins his established electropop sound up to new heights. The It’s a Sin star’s remarkable voice remains as clear as ever, while the production from Danny L Harle elevates the song into vertiginous reverie, mimicking the lyrics’ giddy passion in flowing scales that keep the song in a state of perpetual, blissful motion.

Mannequin Pussy, I Got Heaven

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Where desire and defiance meet, you’ll find Mannequin Pussy’s ridiculously good new album I Got Heaven. Equal parts protest and proposition, I Got Heaven sees the Philadelphia punk rockers hosting a carnival of raw emotion, between telling bigots to sit and spin on the album’s raucous title track and demanding nothing short of pleasure on the raging “Aching.” It’s that rare punk record that keeps juking right when you think there’s a left turn coming, perhaps best encapsulated by Marisa Dabice’s insistent affirmation on “Loud Bark”; “I want to be a danger,” she croons. “I want to be adored.”

Cat Burns, “Alone”

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Stuck in a dating rut? Cat Burns feels your pain on “Alone,” the UK singer-songwriter’s stunning new song detailing her struggle with loneliness. Diaristic lyrics detail Burns’ lack of dating experience, and her frustration with trying to catch up to her peers while still looking for love for the right reasons. With each passing lyric, her voice grows more emotive as she declares that “I don’t wanna be a pessimist, but I’m getting kind of pissed at this” — a feeling anyone in the dating scene can understand to their core.

Isaac Dunbar, “Backseat Girl”

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While he’s made a name for himself for his theatrical output, Isaac Dunbar is a performer of many different faces. On “Backseat Girl,” the singer takes on the persona of the titular background character, perennially pushed to the margins of the story, yearning for their moment in the spotlight. For fans of Dunbar, though, there’s still plenty of his signature flair in “Backseat Girl” — between an instantly-catchy ’70s rock melody and his campy vocal choices, the singer delivers plenty of drama through this tenderly written ballad.

Jade LeMac, Confessions (Deluxe Version)

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Jade LeMac would like to take a well-deserved victory lap. Following the release of her applauded EP Confessions, the singer’s new deluxe version of the project gives fans just enough new content to properly recontextualize the music they already love. Whether she’s literally critiquing her lover’s technique (“Bad Kisser”) or responding in kind to unwanted negging (“Pick a Fight”), LeMac leaves it all on the page as she proves yet again why she’s the name to watch in the pop space.

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

As spring draws near, there’s no better time to freshen up your season 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.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From Charlotte Day Wilson’s gorgeous new single to Hurray for the Riff Raff’s K, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Charlotte Day Wilson, “I Don’t Love You”

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Throughout Charlotte Day Wilson’s new single “I Don’t Love You” — the first offering off her upcoming album Cyan Blue — the singer-songwriter presents a sobering meditation on the healing power of heartbreak. Suffused with deconstructed production elements, slow-grooving bass lines and distorted background vocals filling the backend like a chorus of ghostly past lovers, Wilson commands your attention with a wistful vocal, resonating with soul-shaking emotion on every single note. Don’t let the song’s title fool you; you’re going to “Love” Wilson’s moving new single.

Trending on Billboard

Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Past Is Still Alive

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Leave it to folk purveyor Alynda Segarra — better known as Hurray for the Riff Raff — to release their best album more than 15 years into their career. The Past Is Still Alive, the star’s ninth studio album, stands alone as a triumph in its production, performance and songwriting and practically every other metric. This thoughtful, 11-song opus sees Segarra incorporating folk, rock, Americana and jazz into an elegy of what could have been, a sobering look at the way things are now, and a prayer for that which has yet to come.

Towa Bird, “B.I.L.L.S.”

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The end of the month is coming up fast, which means you’ve likely got some payments to make. If you’re dreading the mere thought of your banks statement, then Towa Bird’s “B.I.L.L.S.” is the song for you. The rollicking new anthem flips a massive middle finger in the face of late capitalism, bemoaning our money-fueled reality. With fiery guitars and a chant-along chorus, Bird will have you declaring that you’re just as “tired of life’s expense” as she is.

King Isis, “MONKI”

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If you’re still in need of an outlet for your inner angst, allow King Isis to help. “MONKI,” the singer’s latest single, is an impactful melodic track that firmly takes up its own space, regardless of whether or not it’s “supposed” to. Defiant, but without overt aggression, King Isis lets her impressive voice do the heavy lifting, as she chants a tongue-in-cheek incantation to her would-be oppressor: “Spare me from those awful sounds/ Oh baby, can he save you now?”

Cavetown, Little Vice

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When figuring out where to go next with his music, Robin Skinner — known to his fans as indie star Cavetown — decided to mix the old and the new. The product of that experiment is Little Vice, a 5-track new EP from the singer-songwriter that sees Cavetown tackling the emotionally resonant topics his fans have come to expect with intriguing sonic twists. While each new track delivers the soft-spoken, carefully-written verses fans have come to expect, they also each come with unique left turns, from distorted guitars (“Alone”) to glitching vocals (“The Back of the Moon”). For 15 minutes, Little Vice asks you to embrace capriciousness — and after listening, you’ll agree that it’s 15 minutes well spent.

Monét X Change, “Body”

With her new single “Body,” Drag Race star Monét X Change is ready to show you the love you’ve been waiting for with a down-tempo R&B jam. Bursting with lush instrumentation (drums, bass and guitars are joined by an entire string section throughout the track), “Body” sees Monét leaning all the way into romance as her sonorous voice declares that she’s done chasing one-night-stands. Based on this fabulous new song, we won’t be looking for a one-night-stand with X Change’s music, either — there’s never been a better time to commit to this drag superstar as a recording artist on the verge of a breakthrough.

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

Looking forward to a long weekend? Spend it properly by 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 Kim Petras’ sexy sequel project to Serpentwithfeet’s club-inspired new album, check out just a few of our favorite new releases from this week below.

Kim Petras, Slut Pop Miami

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After stunning fans in 2022 her surprise, sex-positive EP Slut Pop, Kim Petras is ready to do it again — this time, in some warmer weather. Throughout Slut Pop Miami, the singer returns to raunchy lyrics, club beats and absolutely wild song titles. Whether she’s talking about the various things she’d be interested in riding (“Banana Boat”) or taking on her role as the girlboss of the bedroom (“Head Head Honcho”), Petras spends all 12 tracks of her latest project letting everyone know just how far she’s willing to go.

Trending on Billboard

Serpentwithfeet, GRIP

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Queer folks know what it means to find both safety and intimacy in the confines of a queer club — so Serpentwithfeet decided to make an album dedicated purely to that feeling. GRIP chronicles as many different iterations of queer-affirming encounters as the singer can, from diving into a full-blown relationship after a one night stand (“Deep End”) to the anxiety of feeling isolated on the dance floor (“Black Air Force”). Tinged throughout with Serpent’s “kinetic R&B” sound, GRIP is here to give you everything you could ask for from a night out on the town.

VINCINT, “Good II Me”

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If there’s one thing you can expect from a VINCINT song, it’s euphoric vocals over thundering dance production. “Good II Me,” the singer’s latest single, delivers just what you were hoping for as VINCINT shimmies off his problems and dances the night away. House pianos, electro drums, and a full choir join his stratospheric voice as the song reaches its climactic chorus — and any chance you had at resisting the urge to dance along disappears right along with it.

PVRIS feat. Tommy Genesis & Alice Longyu Gao, “Burn the Witch”

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If you’re feeling pessimistic about the general progress of our world, then PVRIS has a song for you to rage along to. “Burn the Witch,” Lyndsey Gunnulfsen’s hardcore collaboration with fellow female rockers Tommy Genesis and Alice Longyu Gao, is a pissed-off middle finger to an establishment of men who would rather bring the world crumbling down around them than stop persecuting women. The song’s relentless drums and gothic guitar lines serve as apt punctuation for the trio’s message to the misogynists of the world: “You f–ked the world for power, look who’s got it now.”

Laura Jane Grace, Hole in My Head

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After a lifetime of fighting against the machine, Laura Jane Grace is ready to take a look back. Her new album Hole in My Head serves as a series of reflective entries about the Against Me! frontwoman’s life of sheer punk rock chaos. Reexamining her origins (“Punk Rock in Basements”), her transition (“Dysphoria Hoodie”) and her beliefs (“I’m Not a Cop”), Grace embraces folk-rock to tell her story in the best way she knows how — through utterly excellent music.

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

As we head into Super Bowl LVIII, why not amp up your party playlists with some new tunes from some of 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 Girl in Red’s infectious new anthem to Shygirls’ exhilarating new dance EP, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Girl in Red, “Too Much”

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For everyone who has ever tried to dim her shine, Girl in Red would like to raise a defiant middle finger. “Too Much,” the singer-songwriter’s debut track off her forthcoming new album I’m Doing It Again Baby!, is a stunning pop-rock kiss-off to a lover who just cannot understand her idiosyncrasies. Girl in Red delights in her own dramatics, letting her partner know how much she hates being told that she’s overdramatic in the most theatrical and thrilling way possible.

Shygirl, Club Shy

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Don’t let her name fool you — Shygirl is ready for a night out with her latest project. Club Shy sees the English upstart diving headfirst into the world of electronic music, delivering a phenomenal tribute to East London’s club scene. Whether she’s waving off a former flame (“Mr. Useless” feat. SG Lewis) or on the prowl for someone new (“4eva” featuring Empress Of), Shygirl basks in the glory of her new sound for every second of Club Shy, inviting you to come and dance along.

Zolita, “Bloodstream”

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Zolita is here to give you a song that can help express just how much you want to be with your partner. Brandishing her unique brand of alt-pop artistry, Zolita spends much of “Bloodstream” penning her very own declaration of love. Declaring that wants to be as physically close to her partner as possible, the star’s hazy vocal and rollicking production sound like they could soundtrack the climactic moment of any late-2000s rom-com. And that’s just part of what makes “Bloodstream” so irresistibly good.

Brittany Howard, “Power to Undo”

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With a toxic former lover knocking down her door, Brittany Howard is ready to stand firm and take her power back. Her rollicking new single “Power to Undo” — off her new album What Now — follows the former Alabama Shakes frontperson as she refuses to let herself fall back into the arms of an ex, reminding them that “you have the power because I gave it to you” time and time again. Add in the chaotic production, from chest-pounding drums to haywire guitar riffs, and you’ve got a song that will put you right in the moment with her.

MICHELLE, Glow

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NYC-based alternative group MICHELLE isn’t interested in a bright burst of light; they’d rather just Glow. Their awaited 5-song EP fulfills on the promise of its title, highlighting the smaller — but still emotionally important — moments that make up day-to-day life. It could be a recognition that they’re stuck in a series of patterns (“Glow”), or just another phone call with a lover (“On the Line”) — MICHELLE makes use of the little things that can still have massive effects, and they’ve never sounded better.

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

Another week means another set of 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 Fletcher’s delicate new pop single to Lil Nas X’s introspective new song, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Fletcher, “Lead Me On”

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Throughout her short-but-lively career, pop singer-songwriter Fletcher has proven to be particularly adept at creating emotive pop ballads about the messiest parts of love. But with “Lead Me On,” the singer’s latest single off her forthcoming album In Search of the Antidote, Fletcher takes on new meaning. While the thrilling guitar-and-drum-led melody echoes back to songs of Fletcher’s past, the lyrics play double duty — the words let the singer fall down the rabbit hole of a new romantic interest, or they help her follow a path toward becoming a better version of herself. However you interpret the star’s new song, one thing’s for certain: it’s a bonafide banger.

Lil Nas X, “Where Do We Go Now?”

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Lil Nas X’s detractors love to claim that his songs lack substance — so the superstar decided to show them exactly what he’s capable of on “Where Do We Go Now?” The emotive soft-rock ballad, which appears in his new documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, sees Lil Nas X searching for meaning in the space he occupies — he’s already become a pop icon at age 24, so what is meant to do next? The song doesn’t provide easy answers to the star’s complex question, but it does show just how versatile Lil Nas X can be as a forward-thinking artist.

Brittany Howard, “Prove It To You”

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Brittany Howard wants you to dance — she just also wants you to think while you’re busy tearing up the dancefloor. “Prove It To You,” the latest single off the performer’s forthcoming album, breaks out from Howard’s past discograhpy, embracing pure dance aesthetics to create a deliriously fun sound. As bass bumps and synths flitter in and out of your ears, Howard’s voice reminds you that she’s also a phenomenally good songwriter: “I’ve never been good at saying what I mean/ Every time I try, it comes out incomplete,” she shares in the song’s opening lines. “Believe me, baby/ I will show you how I feel for you right now.”

Jade LeMac, “Narcissistic”

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We often get to hear songs of people figuring out their lover is toxic — but Jade LeMac is embracing her own toxicity on the thrilling “Narcissistic.” Throughout the pounding pop track, LeMac paints a picture of an imbalanced relationship where she is more than happy to play the part of the villain. With a set of moody synths permeating every inch of the song, LeMac directs the listener’s attention with a gentle touch and deliciously stern lyrics, perfectly laying out why she’s an artist to keep your eye on.

Cakes Da Killa feat. Stout, “Mind Reader”

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Leave it to an artist as multifaceted as Cakes Da Killa to give you a song that revels in its own volatility. “Mind Reader,” Cakes’ new track off his forthcoming album Black Sheep, follows the celebrated MC as he flexes his supernatural flow and reminds his listeners that he’ll “never code switch, I shape-shift, it’s drastic.” Much like his words, the song’s club production never confines itself to one space — moving between four-on-the-floor, house and even jazz as featured guest Stout croons over an ecstatic chorus, “Mind Reader” serves as yet another reminder that Cakes Da Killa is one of the best to ever do it.

Cavetown, “Let Them Know They’re on Your Mind”

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DIY artist Cavetown could have easily returned with a gorgeously-written, minimally-produced ballad, and fans would have loved it — instead, the indie star decided to give fans something unexpected. “Let Them Know They’re on Your Mind” is a chaotic little thing; a song that shifts effortlessly between Cavetown’s quieter indie sensibilities, and balls-to-the-wall pop-rock production that makes it a thrilling listen everytime you press play.

Isaac Dunbar, “Apartment A”

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There is a unique chaos that comes with attending a crowded house party in New York City — a chaos that Isaac Dunbar brilliantly bottles on “Apartment A.” The pop singer’s latest track basks in its own revelry, inviting the listener in the door for a bacchanalian celebration. Fuzzy production and relentless drums keep the song in a constant state of hyper speed, as Dunbar wails that he’s looking for “love, no ricochet.”

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

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6JaXyDN8L1aEuVZElWwAE4?si=ab85b8991a714491

With the weather getting colder, warm up your ears 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 Aurora’s stunning new single to Green Day’s bisexual anthem, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Aurora, “The Conflict of the Mind”

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Norwegian pop star Aurora is firmly in her empath era. With “The Conflict of the Mind,” the singer pushes every emotion she’s felt to the forefront, and embraces the feelings of those she loves dearly in a gorgeous, sharply-crafted melody. The production of her latest track retains all the dainty aspects of her past projects, while simultaneously pushing her sound forward into new sonic territory. Her voice, meanwhile, remains her strongest instrument, evoking pain and pleasure and love and heartbreak and every other emotion she’s left unspoken for this long.

Green Day, “Bobby Sox”

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Leave it to Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong to pen a grungy pop-punk song that doubles as a much-needed bisexual anthem. “Bobby Sox” plays as a punchy-yet-sweet love song, with the romantic lyrics asking if the song’s subject wants to be his girlfriend while sitting around and watching TV, while the chorus’ chunky guitars and pounding drums throw long-time fans back to the band’s Dookie days. But from the second verse on, Armstrong switches up the game, intermittently switching out “girlfriend” for “boyfriend,” giving everyone a new celebratory single to jam along to.

Adrianne Lenker, “Sadness as a Gift”

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Big Thief frontwoman Adrianne Lenker has always thrived at transforming complex emotions into revelatory pieces of songwriting. That trend shows no sign of ending on “Sadness as a Gift,” the singer-songwriter’s latest solo single. The spare indie-folk song pairs Lenker’s inimitable vocal with a simple guitar-and-violin combo, as she embraces the ending of a relationship. She wants it to be simpler than it is, but knows that nothing will make it easy right now; “We could see the sadness as a gift and still/ Feel too heavy to hold,” she sings.

Maggie Lindemann, “Hostage”

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For anyone who’s ever felt trapped in their own psyche, alt-pop singer Maggie Lindemann has just the song. “Hostage,” the singer’s volatile new single, follows Lindemann into the recesses of her own mind, as she explains the various ways her brain places her in a constant state of panic, even when the world around her does nothing to arouse those fears. Over a torrent of gothic synths, Lindemann begs the listener to “hold me close when my voice gets shaky, be patient with me.”

Sleater-Kinney, Little Rope

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When you live in a world where catastrophe is the new normal, how do you learn to keep going? That’s a central question posed on Sleater-Kinney’s phenomenal new project Little Rope, an LP that revels in its elusiveness at every given opportunity. Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker masterfully craft each song on the LP with enigmatic shifts in sound and theme, all while providing emotive new tracks for fans to dive deep into. Whether foreboding (“Hunt You Down”), fatalist (“Dress Yourself”), or frenzied (“Needlessly Wild”), Little Rope is an execellent ode to finding meaning — or the lack thereof — in pain.

Shygirl feat. Boys Noize, “Tell Me”

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Get ready to rave, because Shygirl and Boys Noize are here to heat up your next party. “Tell Me,” the latest single off of Shygirl’s forthcoming Club Shy EP, delights in it’s early-2000s Eurodance aesthetics — Boys Noize amp up every ounce of the song with out-of-this-world synths and a relentless beat. But Shygirl’s vital voice centers the track in the here-and-now, begging a lover to stay with her.

Gossip, “Real Power”

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Just when we need them, Gossip is back, baby. With their latest anthem “Real Power,” the alt-rock trio is calling on people to seize their own means of self-actualization, even in the face of controlling systems that would try and stop them. Inspired by frontwoman Beth Ditto’s hometown Portland and the city’s Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020, “Real Power” brings everything that makes Gossip great — advocacy-focused writing with infectious melodies and stratospheric vocals — into one glorious song.

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

2024 is finally here, meaning there’s no better time to start filling this year’s playlists with songs from your favortie 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.
From Lil Nas X’s long awaited return single to Kali Uchis’ gorgeous new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Lil Nas X, “J CHRIST”

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With the amount of not-so-righteous fury Lil Nas X created for the release of his newest single, you would be forgiven for expecting a controversial, buck wild track. But what the rapper’s new song “J CHRIST” exudes instead nothing short of unbothered confidence. On this bouncing new song, Lil Nas emphasizes his return to music after a year away, proclaiming “b—h, I’m back like J Christ/ I’m finna get the gays hype.” The star employs what works for him — high-camp delivery, simple beats and lots of flexing — in service of his long-awaited comeback (complete with another stunning video).

Kali Uchis, ORQUÍDEAS

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We won’t mince words — Kali Uchis’s fourth stuido album ORQUÍDEAS is a masterpiece. Throughout this 14-track instant classic, the Colombian star weaves her own Spanish-language tale of luxurious self-actualization, ranging from raging revenge (“Te Mata”) to doe-eyed infatuation (“Tu Corazón Es Mío…”). That fact is only further assisted by Uchis’s genre-spanning vision, bouncing between heartfelt R&B and fiery reggaeton with reckless abandon throughout the LP. Perhaps the most stunning example of her flirtation with new styles comes on “Igual Que Un Ángel,” where Uchis drops the disco ball and dances the night away with the once and future king of corridos tumbados, Peso Pluma. Make no mistake, Kali Uchis is here for the long haul, and ORQUÍDEAS is just the proof of concept to confirm that fact.

Serpentwithfeet, “Safe Word”

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In times of crisis — which have become invariably more frequent in recent years — there is a safety to be found in intimacy. Serpentwithfeet takes that concept and runs with it on his lush new single “Safe Word.” The undulating song sees Serpent reassuring his lover that as long as they’re together, all will be well — a gently strumming guitar underlines his message, lulling the listener into a sense of self-security within moments. Sweet, tender and doting, “Safe Word” wastes no time fulfilling the promise of its title.

MICHELLE, “NEVER AGAIN”

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Once you start listening to Michelle’s “Never Again,” you’ll find yourself stuck in a dichotomy of opposing tones. On the one hand, the song’s delicate melody and soft rhythms will immediately put you in a place of placid comfort, like a warm hug at the end of a hard day. On the other, the lyrics will tell a very different story — one of regret and firm boundaries, where the band tells their former flame that they’re done for good. “So never again, never with you/ I wanna rewind and undo,” they sing. Putting those seemingly competing concepts together, though, makes for yet another excellent track from the rising New York sextet.

Aaron Lee Tasjan, “Horror of it All”

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Growing up queer is rarely a particularly fun experience, and Aaron Lee Tasjan is ready to reflect on the “Horror of it All” with his latest single. Taking an 80’s, glam-rock inspired look at the LGBTQ high school experience, Tasjan carefully illustrates a portrait of hormones, anxiety, fear, delusion and ultimately self-confidence. If you’re concerned about the song lacking more modern flair, don’t fret — Tasjan sprinkles in just enough hyperpop, synthwave flair to make “Horror of it All” feel like a breath of fresh air.

Bright Light Bright Light, “You Want My …”

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If you’re still in the mood for some ’80s flair, then Bright Light Bright Light is here to deliver. With his new single “You Want My …,” Welsh singer-songwriter Rod Thomas embraces a Pet Shop Boys-esque sonic sensibility — complete with sinister synths, bombastic drums and a flair for dramatic lyrics. Waving goodbye to another lover while entering the dancefloor, Thomas makes sure to throw a cheeky wink to George Michael in as well, referencing his classic single “I Want Your Sex” as the delectable chorus makes touchdown.

K.Flay, “Carsick”

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Let’s amp up the angst, shall we? K.Flay fuels up her latest release “Carsick” with a lethal dose of the stuff from the moment she opens her mouth. Vivid imagery and drilling production create a perpetual state of unease throughout the opening lines, before exploding into a fiery chorus kissing-off a toxic ex. Sure, the metaphor of a brutal car crash for a failed relationship may have been done before, but rarely to this visceral an effect — something K.Flay has always excelled at.

Sarah Barrios, “Teenage Rebellion”

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To every person who once exclaimed to a parent that they just don’t understand, this song is for you. Singer-songwriter Sarah Barrios infuses her thrilling new anthem “Teenage Rebellion” — which also serves as the official theme song for Fantasy High: Junior Year, the latest season of the extremely popular Dungeons & Dragons actual play show Dimension 20 — with every ounce of insurgency a good pop-rock track can muster. Guitars rage and voices chant as Barrios recounts the frustration of those final years of youth, while reminding herself that things will ultimately be alright. After all, “it’s our time, it’s our year!”

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