The Best Queer Music of 2023

During this tumultuous year, LGBTQ+ music artists saw us through the highs and lows. They channeled celebrations of love and pleasure. They distilled the grief we experienced from war and neglect. They reflected the rage we felt and inspired hope and action for a better future.

And they looked damn good doing it.

In no particular order, here are 23 of the best songs by queer artists in 2023 and the Spotify playlist to listen along.

Hospital by Remi Wolf (feat. Madison Cunningham)

Remi Wolf is a sing-it-from-the-chest phenom whose refreshingly unedited vocals sail over her guitar. While Madison Cunningham is straight, Remi (a Los Angeles musician) is openly bi. Both are deeply respected in the musical community but today, we’re here for Remi and her chops of gold.

For fans of: Maggie Rogers, Benee, KT Tunstall

Bad at Letting Go by Leland

Some of you may have watched a niche reality TV show called RuPaul’s Drag Race. On this show, Brett McLaughlin serves as a music producer for many original songs with the cast. And some of those songs are even okay! But as Leland, this singer-songwriter delivered distilled, smart pop with agile vocals. It’s clear he saved the best for himself, as well he should. Originally from Mississippi, Leland is also based in LA. (We’re waiting for the Remi Wolf collab.)

For fans of: MUNA, Troye Sivan, Allie X

Devotion by Arlo Parks

She’s been on our radar for some time. But with her latest album My Soft Machine, Arlo Parks has soared to the forefront with rock instrumentals married into R&B rhythms and soft pop sentiment. If you haven’t been following her career already, this bi London native is one to watch.

For fans of: Syd the Kid, Frank Ocean, Banks

Reina Leona by Esteman

Hailing from Bogotá, Colombia, Esteman has been delivering tender-voiced Spanish pop music for over a decade. And his fifth studio album brings us this queer as fuck dance ditty. Esteman publicly came out as gay in 2019, but his queerness has always been present even his earliest music.

For fans of: Bomba Estereo, Bacilos, Kim Petras

The Bust of Nefertiti by Hand Habits

Performing as Hand Habits, Meg Duffy is queer and non-binary, originally from New York State. And they have delivered a sneaker wave of meaning in this song. An homage to a brilliant work of art and the famous pharaoh it depicts. A commentary on racist colonialism and artifact pilfering. A criticism of misogyny in the word of arts and science. A love poem to a traveling companion in a museum. And maybe—probably—so much more. No matter the lens through which view this song, it’s clear this journey begins with pain and reverence, and evolves into a triumphant celebration.

For fans of: St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, Big Thief

Illusion by Carlie Hanson

Without a label for her LGBTQ+ identity, Wisconsinite Carlie Hanson has delivered an undeniable earworm. She seems to effortlessly tap into Gen Z angst and despair in a surprising vehicle of accessible pop rock. In the spirit of queer female acts like Muna and Boy Genius, Carlie’s fraught vocal sound and her lyricism are both perfectly poised to succeed in this present musical landscape. With any luck, the future will bring her just as much success.

For fans of: Chelsea Cutler, Teddy Geiger, Hayley Kiyoko

Mapa de Estrelas by Majur

Hailing from Salvador, Brazil, Majur has a wonderfully cocky confidence around her music and performance ability. While that can sometimes be misplaced in other artists, she backs it up with undeniable charisma and exceptional vocals. An out trans Afro-Latina woman, Majur unnerves audiences with powerhouse pipes and magnetic stage presence. Her star is clearly on the rise.

For fans of: Luedji Luna, Gary Clark Jr., Nao

See It Through by Durand Jones

We don’t often hear of openly queer American blues singers. But Durand Jones (of Durand Jones & The Indications) is just that: publicly bi, ridiculously talented, booked, and blessed. The Louisiana native has been active on the music circuit since 2012, but with his first solo album debut just this year, it’s exciting to see what the future holds for the smoky-voiced singer.

For fans of: St. Louis and the Broken Bones, Meshell Ndegeocello, Emily King

Walking the Dog by Jackie Shane

Jackie Shane is queer history. Period. Born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1940, it wasn’t common for a young Black trans woman to find acceptance and a career in music. But with the support of her mother and her fans, Jackie migrated north to Canada at the age of 20. There, her R&B and soul music career blossomed, and she was considered a pillar of the “Toronto Sound” of the 1960s. Jackie passed away in 2019 at almost 79 years old, and while she never received as much notoriety as she deserved in life, her single “Walking the Dog” has been re-released on streaming services this year.

For fans of: The Impressions, The Meters, Nina Simone

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me by Adam Lambert

From American Idol fame to becoming the new front man for Queen to starring on Glee, Adam Lambert has been in the cultural consciousness – and openly gay to the public – since his stint on reality TV and the release of his debut album in 2009. And while he’s known for his big rock anthem voice, he gave us a soft, dark cover of this queer 80s classic by Culture Club. Lambert is originally from San Diego, and has used his extensive profile to create the Feel Something Foundation for LGBTQ+ causes.

For fans of: Jessie J, Kelly Clarkson, Freddie Mercury

Collect by Torres

Born into a conservative Christian family in Orlando, Florida, Mackenzie Scott (who is non-binary and lesbian) moved to Nashville, took the performance moniker Torres, and ground her axe. And while her expansive discography has achieved great critical acclaim, her star is just now starting to rise in a more public expanse. “Collect” gives us the grit and songwriting punch fans have come to expect and love.

For fans of: Julien Baker, Lingua Ignota, PJ Harvey

Forever in a Song by Rum.Gold

Relatively new to the distributed music scene, Delante Drumgold has been releasing official music since 2019. He is a queer man who lives in Brooklyn but is originally from Washington DC, where the distinctly Black history of his hometown influenced his newest album, U Street Anthology. Rum.gold’s airy vocals don’t betray the deep-rooted soulfulness of his singing. Instead they buoy his work and offer smooth melismas on soft-edged runs. A delight.

For fans of: Cleo Sol, Jamila Woods, Durand Bernarr

To This Day by Destin Conrad (feat. Musiq Soulchild)

Destin Conrad is a bright newcomer to the music scene. Even though he only released his first album in 2021, he has released an album every year since. In what feels like a historic move, he has teamed up with Neo-Soul legend Musiq Soulchild (who is not publicly out as LGBTQ+ at the time of this publication) to co-create what may be the genre’s first ever publicly released romantic duet between two men. Big news for a Vine-famous young person from Tampa, Florida, who has now launched himself into the spotlight.

For fans of: Mariah the Scientist, D’Angelo, Kehlani

For Granted by Yaeji

Boppy. Eccentric. Personally restrained and yet sonically bombastic, New York City’s Yaeji is a queer icon of rhythmic and melodic genius. Perhaps her time living and producing in South Korea influenced her approach to a more refined sense of pop. And perhaps her time in NYC has given her the jagged edge to challenge that refinement. Regardless, her brilliant artistry speaks for itself in the cutesy-turned-aggro-hyperpop banger “For Granted.”

For fans of: Grimes, Channel Tres, Peggy Gou

Muva by Angel-Ho

South African singer, rapper, and performer Angel-Ho is a force. And while her music may sometimes appear surface-level, songs like “Muva” offer a much deeper meaning about the societal need and even craving for confident, beloved trans women in our world. The Cape Town local gives us an industrial musical mindfuck and we thank her for it.

For fans of: Cakes da Killa, Sailorfag, ElyOtto

It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately by Joesef

He’s bi. He’s Scottish. He’s got the voice of an angel. This Glaswegian is relatively new to the music scene, but after a smattering of singles and EP releases since 2019, Joesef released his first full-length album called Permanent Damage this year. And holy shit, we’re ready for the tour.

For fans of: Jungle, Tame Impala, Bright Light Bright Light

Del Mar County Fair 2008 by Cavetown

YouTube has launched many a music career for Millennials and Zoomers. Robin Daniel Skinner, a trans man originally from Oxford, England, also found his success on this video-first path to publicity. And though his popularity is still modestly growing, he has released 5 studio albums since 2015 alone. Cavetown is aromantic, asexual, and an astoundingly good producer.

For fans of: Ricky Montgomery, mxmtoon, Conan Gray

So You Are Tired by Sufjan Stevens

If you had a wistful moment between the year 2000 and now, there’s a good chance you were listening to Michigan golden boy Sufjan Stevens. This year’s release of Javelin, his tenth studio album, brought a tender-yet-swelling production style that hearkens back to his earlier work. Sadly, it also brought forth a collection of songs dedicated to his recently deceased partner, Evans Richardson IV. This news of his partner’s passing was a heartbreaking way for the public to learn that Sufjan is LGBTQ+. But after decades of poetry and mystery, many long-time fans feel closer to him now than ever, in his loss and his openness.

For fans of: Girl in Red, Bon Iver, Iron & Wine

Ya Lel by Bashar Murad

As a gay Palestinian artist living in East Jerusalem, Bashar Murad’s musical commentary couldn’t avoid politicization even if he tried. Thank goodness he doesn’t shy away from heavy hitting metaphor and raw emotional vocal performance. Instead, he thoroughly leans into subjects of homophobia, spiritual conflict, and the ongoing systemic destruction of innocent Palestinian life by American-funded Israeli government/military powers. “Ya Lel” is an Arabic-language song about isolation, loneliness, grief, and healing oneself.

For fans of: Mohammad Assaf, Dam, Cheb Abdou

He’s Been Shining Forever Your Son by Christine and the Queens

For French performer Christine and the Queens, gender seems to be a voyage. And music seems to be a constant home. The avant-garde belt-voiced performer is genderqueer, currently uses he/him pronouns, and has delivered an exceptionally beautiful album this year in Paranoia, Angels, True Love. No 2024 tour is on the books for him thus far, but fingers crossed that changes soon.

For fans of: Anohni, Caroline Polachek, Patti Smith

My Love Mine All Mine by Mitski

Experimental and deeply thoughtful, Mitski consistently writes and performs songs that scratch the brain and tug the heartstrings. Born in Japan and currently living in Nashville, her LGBTQ+ identity is unlabeled but her lyrics and commentary include attraction across the spectrum of gender. This is particularly heartwarming in this new single “My Love Mine All Mine,” seemingly about a female love interest and the immense, protective feelings the singer has for her.

For fans of: Phoebe Bridgers, Lana Del Ray, Feist

Plain Jane by Chika

Jane Oranika, originally from Montgomery, Alabama, is a rapper’s rapper. Nigerian-American and openly bi, Chika has been nominated for a Grammy and an NAACP Image Award, and has won a GLAAD Media Award. This may be surprising since her first studio album only just dropped this year. But it’s clear her freestyle talent and writing skills will launch her to the top of the game in no time.

For fans of: Tierra Whack, Tobi Lou, Chance the Rapper

Farewell For Now by Greta Van Fleet

Hair metal is not dead. She just cocooned for a bit, and emerged triumphant in 2018 with Michigan-based band Greta Van Fleet and their debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army. Five years later, the group has grown in popularity and notoriety. But just this year, lead singer Josh Kiszka came out as (unlabeled) LGBTQ+ in a statement calling for an end to anti-queer and anti-trans bans happening in his new home state of Tennessee. “Farewell For Now” is the power ballad we crave after such a turbulent year, finally being able to put it to bed and step forward into whatever the future holds.

For fans of: Led Zeppelin, The Darkness, Heart