As summer begins to officially wind down, why not start updating your fall 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 Ethel Cain’s long-awaited sophomore album to Lucy Dacus’ surprise new singles, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Ethel Cain, Willoughby Trucker, I’ll Always Love You
With Preacher’s Daughter, singer-songwriter Hayden Anhedönia introduced the world to the tragic, brutal story of Ethel Cain, the first in what she promised would become a trilogy of stories about her family. But Willoughby Trucker, I’ll Always Love You, the long-awaited follow-up to Cain’s breakout album, zigs where audiences thought Cain might zag. Telling the story of a doomed romance earlier in her character’s life, Cain spends this expansive album touching on the fragility and intensity of young love over a set of songs that create a sense of warm — but still somewhat sinister — ambiance for you to bask in.
Lucy Dacus, “Bus Back to Richmond” / “More Than Friends”
Who doesn’t love a set of bonus tracks? After releasing her critically beloved new album Forever Is a Feeling in March, Lucy Dacus decided to give fans a little something extra with the release of her new pair of singles, “Bus Back to Richmond” and “More Than Friends.” Over gentle harmonies, Dacus continues her songwriting hot streak with some truly heartbreaking lines on both her new tracks. Whether insisting that “You said, ‘please give me a chance’/ You didn’t know that I already had” on “Richmond,” or singing that “When you die, I’ll be a wreck/ When I die, don’t pine until you’re dead” on “Friends,” Dacus continues to show what a generational songwriting star she is on these lovely new songs.
Sasha Keable, Act Right
Projects about heartbreak may be all too common in R&B, but Sasha Keable is bringing her distinct voice to the well-trodden format. On her stunning new project Act Right, Keable places her extremely expressive voice front and center, as she charts a path through betrayal and rage to find herself again on the other side of heartbreak. With smart production choices and a unique perspective, Keable wastes no time getting to the heart of the issue on Act Right, solidifying herself as a name to watch.
Big Thief, “Los Angeles”
In hard times, it’s good to celebrate the good in the world around you. That’s exactly what Big Thief sets out to do on “Los Angeles,” their sun-soaked, beautiful new ballad that sees the band offering a simple, uncomplicated song about an enduring, powerful love. Lush live instrumentation and vocals (courtesy of Adrianne Lenker), “Los Angeles” feels instantly enchanting as the band jams their way through this stunning track.
Daya, “Agnostic”
Daya is back, baby. With her latest single “Agnostic,” the pop singer is trading in the bright sound that defined so much of her early career for a moodier, alternative take on the format. Crooning over a slick bass line, Daya paints a vivid portrait of a loss of faith in love, as she declares to her ex that the end of their relationship has her questioning everything. For all the uncertainty that “Agnostic” revels in, we can’t help but feel the opposite as the singer sets her sights on a new musical era.
Big Freedia, Pressing Onward
New Orleans bounce icon Big Freedia has never been shy about creating communal spaces out of every audience she performed in front of; so it should come as no surprise that the performer knows how to make an excellent gospel album. On Pressing Forward, Freedia manages to blend her iconic dance sound seamlessly into the worship genre, while also leaving space for her to grieve the loss of her long-term partner earlier this year. From top to bottom, the album is emotionally arresting, sonically ambitious and a phenomenal encapsulation of everything that makes Big Freedia the celebrated artist that she is.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
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