Queer Artists to Listen to in Every Genre
The only playlist you’ll need to celebrate this Pride Month
By Beth Petrunak
““Do you listen to girl in red?””
What once was an inside joke among the sapphic community now illustrates the recent boom in queer music over the last few years. queer music has always existed because queer musicians have always existed. However, now more than ever, artists are writing songs and lyrics that explicitly name queerness. Sure, artists like Sam Smith and Demi Lovato came out in the 2010s (what a time to be a baby gay), but they weren’t necessarily making “queer music.” Whether it was the culture of the industry at the time or the shackles of being “mainstream,” they continued to make palatable music for an assumed heterosexual audience.
More recently, queer music has been having a moment thanks to musical acts like Chappell Roan, Lil Nas X, and boygenius, who are breaking through niche queer internet spaces to Top 40 success. Whether you’re looking for sad girl songwriters, or music to pregame your Pride celebrations, here are some queer artists to add to your playlist this month.
Country: Orville Peck
With a voice from another time and haunting melodies that could transport you to the Wild West, Orville Peck is transforming the country genre. His voice has a rich blues tone to it, and his music evokes old country music known only to outlaws and cowboys— in particular the mlm kind. He brings a much-needed queer perspective to country, but really isn’t country the gayest genre of them all?
Song recs: Dead of Night, Midnight Ride
Alternative: Ethel Cain
Speaking of haunting, please welcome to the stage: Ethel Cain. She is known for her Southern Gothic aesthetic and captivating storytelling. Preacher’s Daughter is a narrative album that weaves the tragic story of a girl who falls victim to generational family abuse, religious trauma, and cannibalism, so proceed at your own risk. Inspired by her own life as the daughter of a deacon and navigating America as a trans woman, her music scratches an itch for queer kids raised in the church and the South.
Song recs: Strangers, Crush
Rap: Doechii
If you haven’t listened to Doechii yet, quite frankly, what are you doing? She has been on the scene for a while, but her most recent album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, absolutely broke the internet. Known for her clever lyrics and her unforgettable live performances, she is taking the world by storm. On her rise to fame, she has been consistently open about her queerness and has called for more queer perspectives in music and media.
Song recs: Nissan Altima, Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
Punk Rock: Green Day
While definitely not a new artist to anyone, I had to include Green Day on this list. They’ve been making music since the ‘80s and have never been afraid to speak their minds, their music often bringing catharsis to outsiders. Some of their most popular songs tackle political themes, such as criticism of the American government and capitalism. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong identifies as bisexual and often speaks about his support of the trans community and other human rights organizations, most recently using the band’s headlining show at Coachella to condemn Trump and share support for Palestine.
Song recs: American Idiot, Holiday
Pop: MUNA
Calling all sapphics! Look no further than MUNA for your summer gay pop anthems. You may be familiar with their iconic song “Silk Chiffon” with Phoebe Bridgers that blew up in 2021, but they have plenty more wlw songs where that came from. Their synth-driven indie pop music feels both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. They are perfect to listen to as you get ready for a night out, or scream-sing with the windows down in the middle of the night.
Song recs: One That Got Away, What I Want
Electronic: Ashnikko
No one defies genre quite like Ashnikko. Their music incorporates elements of rap, metal, and rock, to name a few, but I am affectionately putting them into the electronic category for the purpose of this article. Their futuristic, daring aesthetic, iconic fashion moments, and blue hair are all essential to their performance. Think of them as the love child of Harley Quinn and Jinx from Arcane. Probably most known for their song “Stupid” feat. Yung Baby Tate, their music has expanded plenty since 2019, namely to include quite a few sapphic anthems.
Song recs: Itty Bitty, Slumber Party
Latin: Kali Uchis
You’ve definitely heard Kali Uchis’s hypnotic music before. If you’ve been on TikTok at all in the last few years, chances are you’ve watched a video featuring her songs “telepatía” or “Moonlight.” Born in the US, she has made a point to incorporate her Latin heritage into her music, singing in both English and Spanish. Her femininity and bisexual identity inspire a lot of her music.
Song recs: After the Storm, Muñekita
R&B: Victoria Monét
If somehow in the year 2025 you still have not been turned on to Victoria Monét’s music, you definitely know some of her writing credits (think Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK, etc.). With sensual beats and authentic lyrics, she is a master of the R&B genre, winning Best New Artist and Best R&B album at the GRAMMYs in 2024. She has described her music as a “playground for her sexuality,” music often expressing what she can’t do with words alone. She came out as bisexual, crediting the late Whitney Houston, who hid her own identity, as inspiration to live authentically as herself.
Song recs: Touch Me, We Might Even Be Falling in Love
Indie: Vagabon
Laetitia Tamko, known as Vagabon, is a Cameroonian multi-instrumentalist. You may have heard her on the soundtrack of Red, White, and Royal Blue with “If I Loved You,” but that is just a taste of the expansive music chops she has to offer. Her songs range from soft R&B beats to indie rock anthems, with powerful and intentional lyrics to pull it all together. Whether you’re in the mood for a stripped-back, vocally vulnerable song or something to move your body to, Vagabon does it all, and she does it flawlessly.
Song recs: Water Me Down, Can I Talk My Shit?
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but hopefully this is a good place to start your Pride celebrations! Whether you’re pregaming a night at the club or crashing out after running into an ex-situationship, you can bet there’s a queer artist who has a song for anything life throws at you. Listen to all these songs and more on our Readin’ monthly playlist!
