Hello readers! I’m Jordan Currie, Xtra’s community coordinator. When I’m not busy scheduling content across Xtra’s social media platforms and battling trolls in the comment sections, I’m popping in my headphones and slipping on my music journalist shoes to review albums, scour the web for new tunes and put together perfectly themed and curated playlists like the deliberate Virgo that I am. And this is exactly what I present to you today: a collection of music—specifically the best new queer music from the past month.
Welcome to the first instalment of “Monthly Tune-Up,” a recurring column showcasing recent releases by LGBTQ2S+ musicians, selected and written by yours truly. Nothing is off limits: from the popular to the obscure, the big to the small, the minimalistic to the experimental. Whether you’re actively in search of new artists to add to your music rotation or simply in the mood to check out a tune you haven’t heard before, I hope you can find a gem or two in my recommendations. So, let’s kick things off with some February releases!
“Kissing Lessons”—Lucy Dacus
Following the release of her album Home Video last June, centring on friendships, first-time queer feelings, coming of age narratives and the growing pains of childhood, Virginia-born singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with a new lovelorn single. Like Home Video, “Kissing Lessons” is a nostalgic flashback, an ode to first gay crushes and kisses in which Dacus finds herself reminiscing about practicing her kissing skills with a friend named Rachel in the second grade. The short and punchy track has an early 2000s rock band quality to it, with Dacus’ signature alto voice floating over the crunchy guitar riffs and crashing percussions. Energetic and sweet, “Kissing Lessons” will have you thinking back to your first childhood queer crush and the rush of excitement that came with it.
“Green Line”—DijahSB featuring Terrell Morris
Toronto-based non-binary rapper DijahSB teamed up with Terrell Morris to make a song dedicated to weary, down-on-their luck GTA commuters. “Green Line” is an ode to the subway riders, highlighting the gritty reality of trekking through cities on public transportation. Soothing lo-fi beats and a synth that moves in a straight line (much like a subway) drone on as DijahSB and Morris lament about pricey fares, condo takeovers and how living in a city can be exhausting, even if you still have love for it. The next time you take your next fatigued ride on the subway, train or streetcar, consider listening to “Green Line” to make your commute a little less gruesome.
“Valentine, Texas”—Mitski
If a pink and red heart-shaped Valentine’s Day card were a song, it would surely be Mitski’s “Valentine, Texas.” The indie darling’s long-awaited album, Laurel Hell, dropped at the beginning of February, and the opening track oozes with pure tenderness. Caught in the stages of a new and shiny love, Mitski dreams of moulding herself into what she thinks her lover wants as they drive around an empty town. The burst of dreamy synths midway through feels like the most beautiful punch to the gut. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: no one quite captures longing in their music better than Mitski.
“C’mon Baby, Cry”—Orville Peck
Everyone’s favourite mysterious masked gay cowboy is back! The Canadian country singer-songwriter released the first five songs of his upcoming album Bronco this month, with the full project slated for April 8. Lead single “C’mon Baby, Cry” is a joyous gay comfort jam. With a classic country-pop twang and buttery smooth, Elvis-like vocals, Peck croons about crying boys and being there for someone you love. The track will make you want to put on a pair of cowboy boots and go dancing in a neon-lit dive bar. If any filmmakers are reading this and have plans to bring a queer cowboy/Western love story to the big screen any time soon, consider Orville Peck to write the original score, please and thank you.
“Flowers Are Dead”—Yeule
If you’re in the mood for a dynamic juxtaposition of harrowing lyrics and spacey ambience, look no further than “Flowers Are Dead” by Singaporean non-binary singer-songwriter and producer Nat Ćmiel, better known as Yeule, off of their new album Glitch Princess. There’s a ghostly and otherworldly quality to the track, from the wailing siren to Yeule’s whispered vocal quality and their lyrics about a dying love and feeling disconnected from their mind and body. It’s a futuristic, cosmic song that captures the feeling of loneliness while still managing to sound like a warped lullaby, both destructive and delicate all at once.
“Silver Into Rain”—Luna Li featuring beabadoobee
It’s been a little over a year since Toronto multi-instrumentalist and singer Luna Li released jams EP, a collection of short and sweet instrumental songs that established Li’s dreamy, fairy-like sound. Now, the rising star is getting ready to release her debut LP, Duality, on March 4, which includes lead single “Silver Into Rain,” featuring British indie pop/rock artist beabadoobee of the label Dirty Hit fame. The duo ruminate on getting older and convey a wistfulness for the past over the soft, breezy guitar before soaring grungy riffs kick in during the chorus, like a clap of thunder rumbling over a spring evening. The song perfectly blends the artists’ respective sonic styles, and is a tasty slice of what’s to come for Li’s debut.
“Abomination”—Shamir
We’re only two months into 2022, but we’ve already got a strong contender for the queerest album of the year: Heterosexuality. Philadelphia-based artist Shamir’s newest album is a versatile exploration and celebration of his non-binary identity and sexuality outside of the confines of societal norms. The glitchy, blown out and distorted track “Abomination” shows Shamir keeping his foot on the neck of institutions and governments that continuously let down and exploit marginalized groups. It’s unapologetic and abrasive—a giant “Fuck you!” to the establishment that serves as the perfect anthem for stomping around in the streets during the apocalypse.
That concludes round one of “Monthly Tune-Up.” I hope you enjoyed this small selection of new tracks. I know I certainly had fun collecting them like a magpie scavenging for shiny objects to attract a mate. I’ll leave you with that comforting image, and I’ll be back at the end of March with more music to share. Until then!
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