Hi there, Xtra readers! It is I, community coordinator Jordan Currie, and I’m back to offer you a tasty and diverse selection of finely curated queer songs for the April edition of Monthly Tune-Up. This month, I’ve got a lot of tracks on the softer and mellower side—with a couple of loud and chaotic bangers sprinkled in, too, of course. True, it’s not the most cohesive combination of sounds and vibes, but what can I say, I love bringing range to the table! Whether you’re in the mood for an introspective, slow-burning ballad or an up-tempo rager, I hope you’re able to find something that speaks to you in my humble little list.
“Jaws”—Lights
Bisexual singer Lights is back with a confident self-hype anthem. The Timmins-born artist’s new song, “Jaws,” fresh off of her latest album, PEP, is a synth lover’s musical dream. Lights switches effortlessly between low and fierce vocals in the verses, to a sweet and breathy tone in the chorus as she sings about baring her jaws and stepping into a new, self-assured version of herself. The jubilant melody of the synths bouncing along make this the perfect tune to blast during long summer drives with the windows rolled down. “Jaws” is calm and cool, but it’ll leave anyone who listens to it feeling big.
“Crazy”—Doechii
Much like the title suggests, it’s impossible not to break out into a wild, primal dance and kick your inhibitions to the curb while listening to Florida-based queer rapper Doechii’s new single “Crazy.” Since blowing up with the popular “Why don’t you introduce yourself?” trend on TikTok last year, Doechii has cemented her position as one of the most exciting rappers of 2022. A catchy, understated bass line steadily supports an explosion of blown-out percussion and Doechii’s bars about not being fazed by her adversaries. “Crazy” is sure to get anyone pumped, no matter what mood they’re in.
“Hollywood”—Mal Blum
L.A.-based trans singer-songwriter Mal Blum is widely known for their indie rock and folk sound, but their newest EP, Ain’t It Nice, showcases their country abilities. Birthed out of loneliness brought upon by the pandemic and inspired by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and John Prine, the EP features the song “Hollywood,” a broody, weary ballad about feeling like a fish out of water, and the yearning for connection and validation. Though the song’s tone is sombre, streaks of sunniness run through it, as well, like the warm, mellow guitar chords and a faster-paced tempo. “Hollywood” perfectly captures the atmosphere of a lazy, melancholic summer day, where all you want to do is lie out in the heat and meditate on life’s possibilities.
“Out Loud”—Syd featuring Kehlani
The narratives of secret relationships and the object of our desires not being ready to express their affection publicly are staples in queer music, and Syd and Kehlani are here to add another ballad to that roster. Syd, lesbian heartthrob and lead singer of the R&B/funk band The Internet, released her second solo album, Broken Hearts Club, this month, and teamed up with queer pop and R&B singer Kehlani on the song “Out Loud.” Golden harmonies, relaxing production, gorgeous vocals and comforting lyrics about reassuring a partner that it’s okay to love out loud—what more could you ask for in a lesbian love song?
“Sidelines”—Phoebe Bridgers
Everyone’s favourite skeleton-jumpsuit-wearing bisexual is back with an emotionally devastating but surprisngly hopeful ballad. “Sidelines” is not a brand-new song, originally co-written by Bridgers’s bandmate Marshall Vore and his partner Ruby Rain Henley a few years ago, but it officially debuted to the world as a single in the trailer for Hulu’s Conversations with Friends this month. Bridgers sings a sweet declaration of love to a person who has inspired her to step out of the sidelines and live fearlessly. Muted percussion and Bridgers’s signature ghostly vocals, enhanced by the use of a vocoder, wrap listeners up in a warm embrace as they reach for their tissue boxes.
“Evergreen”—Omar Apollo
The debut album by gay Indiana-born singer-songwriter Omar Apollo, Ivory is an eclectic melting pot of genres and styles. The song “Evergreen” is a Motown- and soul-influenced standout on the record that will have listeners deep in their feelings and reminiscing about that one heartache we’ve all had that we’ve never truly gotten over. Apollo pours all of his anguish and torment into his vocals as he sings about an ex-partner who mistreated him in the relationship. The doo-wop background harmonies and horns that bleed into a crescendo are achingly beautiful and give the track a hazy, nostalgic quality. “Evergreen” is a new comfort song, as painful as it is to listen to.
“i did this all for you!”—Xana
If you’re the type of person who would rather stomp around and scream after a break-up instead of curling up in bed and crying, might I suggest the last song in this roundup—a sassy, bitter, upbeat punk number called “i did this all for you!’ from queer British Columbia-based musician Xana. It’s the opening track on her new album, Tantrums, and Xana airs her grievances about being underappreciated and taken advantage of by someone she loves, channelling some serious early-2000s Avril Lavigne vibes, with angry guitars and chanting choruses. It’s the perfect song to throw up two middle fingers to after the end of a relationship gone awry.
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