Autumn is almost here, so start the celebrations by checking out these new tracks from some of your favorite queer artists. Billboard Pride is here to help with First Out, our weekly roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
From Troye Sivan’s return to queer love ballads, to Muna’s hotly anticipated collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Troye Sivan, “Angel Baby”
Two weeks ago, Troye Sivan told his Instagram followers that he had a new song coming, and that it was a “gushy juicy doting adoring power [bottom] gay ballad.” The song in question, “Angel Baby,” has finally arrived — and it delivers on Sivan’s promise. Filled with the cheesy, lush synths that defined love songs of the late ’80s, “Angel Baby” sees Sivan laying the romance on thick as he croons to his heavenly lover that he’s in bliss every time he’s around. “Started giving up on thе world forever/ Until you give up heaven so we could be together,” he sings. “You’re my angel, angel baby.”
Muna, “Silk Chiffon (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)”
Ever since indie-pop trio Muna signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ record label Saddest Factory earlier this year, fans have been clamoring for a collaboration between the group and their new label head. Enter “Silk Chiffon,” and glimmering ode to women loving women, with Muna bringing their sharp-as-ever songwriting and production, while Bridgers jumps on for a verse to give the song even more bang for its buck. To even further send home the LGBTQ-positive narrative, Muna delivered an excellent music video to the track, in which they paid homage to the 1999 cult classic film But I’m a Cheerleader — complete with over-the-top activities, color-coded wardrobes, and a storyline about finding yourself, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Girl in Red, “Stay (The Kid LAROI Cover)”
Girl in Red has always been an artist with a singular, well-executed sound — so whenever she takes on the challenge of covering a distinctly different song, fans are in for a treat. This week, for her Spotify Singles session, the Norwegian singer-songwriter took on The Kid LAROI’s chart-topping song “Stay” and made it entirely her own. Slowing down the tempo and turning up the reverb, Girl in Red overhauls the hit track, and turns it into a pensive, brooding alt-pop ballad that you’ll want to play on repeat for the rest of the weekend.
Deb Never
On her highly anticipated new EP Where Have All the Flowers Gone, up-and-coming singer indie-pop singer Deb Never isn’t afraid to let you know exactly what she’s feeling at any given moment. Throughout the mesmerizing new project, Never flows effortlessly from self-defeat (“Stupid”) to confidence (“Sorry”), from heartbroken (“Someone Else”) to smitten (“Coca Cola”), all while delivering haunting, beautiful vocals and pared-down production that will have you reaching for the replay button.
Remi Wolf
Sometimes, chaos can be beautiful. Nowhere is that more apparent than on Remi Wolf’s hilariously unhinged new single, “Guerilla.” Throughout the manic new track, Wolf strings together the loose ends of a party scene — singing about margaritas, bubble butts, etc. — with a sometimes grooving, other times glitching beat that only adds to the silliness of what she’s singing. “They good, they tight, they pull her under/ East side guys, they bring the thunder,” she sings under the echoing voices of the song’s chorus. If you’re looking for a carefree party anthem to kick off your weekend, then look no further.
