It’s a great time for queer music.
Demi Lovato is non-binary and maybe dating Noah Cyrus. Lil Nas X is making out with dancers at the BET Awards. Melissa Etheridge is back, baby. Pop-star-style covers of RuPaul B-sides are weirdly catchy.
No matter your spot on the LGBTQ2S+ continuum, there’s something to be excited about in music today. And while we’ve all talked about Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video and its stripper pole to hell, it turns out there’s a lot of fun new queer music videos to devour from lesser known, emerging or throwback icons.
Every Pride Month, everyone from bedroom indie artists to the worlds’ biggest pop stars plant their feet and their rainbow flag by releasing new music. And while some summer so-called “queer anthems” are lacking, there are some real bangers amidst the noise.
Here are six picks—both mainstream and more off the beaten track—from last month’s music video releases for every post-Pride mood you might have this summer.
For your post-Pride joyful dance party
RALPH – “Love Potion”
Toronto-based pop singer RALPH has been on the scene for a while now, creating Kylie Minogue meets Carly Rae Jepsen meets Katy Perry branded pop. Her latest single, “Love Potion,” and its space-themed accompanying video, continue that trend in a delightful way. Forget rich billionaires going to space in their dick rockets, give me more queers in space on dick rockets!
For angsty queer yearning
Breagh Isabel – “Girlfriends”
“I wanted to be girlfriends but we were just girlfriends.” Hit me right in the feelings, why don’t you?! This video from artist Breagh Isabel captures the unrequited love many queer folks feel at some point in our lives, but especially as teens. The video will take you back to high school and throw your heart through the ringer.
For the vaxxed and waxed country gays
Curtis Braly – “That Should Be Me”
The likes of Lil Nas X and Orville Peck are redefining what masculinity can and should be—particularly queer masculinity in country music. This video from Curtis Braly exists within that canon too, but takes a specific lyrical and sonic spin on mainstream tractor-loving, cowboy boots country à la Toby Keith or Garth Brooks. Of course there’s a queer twist in this track—and there is nothing better than a big queer twist!
A soundtrack for your big dick energy
Todrick Hall – “D!ck This Big”
I mean, the song’s name accomplishes a lot here. But beyond that, the track is unbelievably catchy. The production value is off the charts. The dancing, as to be expected from the beloved Drag Race choreographer, is stellar! And the sentiment of celebrating a big gay dick? Frankly, we love to see it!
For clapping back at your haters
MDL CHLD – “Funk (About You)”
Chris Corsini is a gay former competitive dancer and ASL interpreter who’s intrepeted live shows for artists including the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift and Jay Z. But in his own musical and artistic practice as MDL CHLD, he works to integrate the LGBTQ2S+ and Deaf communities while creating non-stop bangers. The video for “Funk (About You)” features a mix of LGBTQ2S+, Deaf and BIPOC artists from Europe, Africa and North and South America both in front and behind the camera, and it’s the perfect clapback to any hater in your life.
For throwin’ it back to the ’90s
Melissa Etheridge – “For the Last Time”
She’s back! The lesbian icon responsible for “I’m The Only One” and “Come To My Window” is still pounding out anthems. This track is from her upcoming album One Way Out, a collection of songs Etheridge originally wrote in the ’80s and ’90s but didn’t have a place for. “For The Last Time” features the singer’s characteristic foot-stomping anthemic belt, and the accompanying video full of soft focus and a Nurse Jackie poster is ’90s-dipped sapphic perfection.
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