November Queer Music Spotlight!
Charli XCX – Good Ones
Ms. XCX has been killing it this year. With no better example than Good Ones, which by now can surely be classed as a smash hit. Another example being her millionth collaboration with the international treasure Christine and The Queen, New Shapes. Now, this Halloween, Charli released a new version of Good Ones with a video starring Drag Race alumni: A’whora, Asttina Mandella, Krystal Versace, Cherry Valentine and Elektra Fence. Charli’s new sound brings together all of her musical strengths to make up her most artistic, yet commercial, album today. For fans of… great music.
ABBA – Just a Notion
Strictly speaking, these spotlights tend to highlight our favourite up and coming LGBTQ+ artists, and ABBA are definitely not that. However, we’d be remisited if we didn’t give their comeback album some love after all they’ve done for our community over the years. Voyage is their triumphant return, oozing with hook soaked ballads, 40 years on. Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus’ return brings all that we loved from the golden pop quartet and sprinkles in some modern production, producing what we expected: Timeless synthpop for their fans, for the ages, with all tracks screaming Europop to the back of the room.
Slayyyter ft. Big Freedia – Stupid Boy
Slayyyter has been on the cusp of the mainstream for a long time now. Not quite a household name yet, her latest album Troubled Paradise took her one step closer, though she’s not stopping there. The latest all new single, Stupid Boy, comes in collaboration with the iconic Big Freedia. For those unfamiliar, Big Freedia is a New Orleans bounce rapper who goes by She/Her pronouns and identifies as a gay man. The pair are a violent combo with a 4 minute club bop for the ages. Watch out stupid boys.
GIRLI – I Don’t Like Myself
We shouted about GIRLI last month and we’ll be doing it again, and probably again after that. In one of her most sensitive songs to date, GIRLI trades activism for introspection. Anger for sensitivity. Referencing Kate Moss and Rosa Parks in the same breath. This is a song that will sound track any gen z’er coming of age in 2021. Weighing up the new trials and tribulations of growing up with the new found pressures of the digital age.
Craig David & MNEK – Who You Are
MNEK has a proven track record of earworms, perhaps none more prominent than on their latest single Who You Are with R&B legend Craig David. While they’ve been around for a while now, MNEK became a bonafide household name with their summer hit Head & Heart. This year, MNEK performed Who You Are with Craig David, live on Strictly Come Dancing. Who You Are seamlessly feels familiar and uplifting, but authentic and contemporary. Everything needed to rustle up a hit.