October is LGBTQ+ History Month and a great time to start listening to some new, on-the-rise queer artists. If you’re like me and want a break from blasting the same Clairo songs on repeat, make sure to add these lesser-known LGBTQ+ artists to your mix:
Jame Minogue
If you’re looking for new Latin jams to add to your playlist, take a listen to Jame Minogue, an on-the-rise, queer Latin pop/R&B artist native to North Jersey.
With tropical chords, brass stabs, and bongo rhythms inspired by NYC street performers, Minogue’s upbeat sound has all the classic hallmarks of your favorite Latin tunes while taking influence from pop, indie, and hip hop, particularly on his new album Principe Azul. Personal Favorite: “Hate Being in Love” is definitely the catchiest track on Minogue’s newest album, Principe Azul, with a particularly upbeat Caribbean vibe.
Arlo Parks
English artist Arlo Parks has the mellow vibes covered with her R&B/indie fusion sound. Her sound is uniquely melancholy yet danceable and features smooth R&B-style melodies accompanied by hip-hop-inspired drum beats. Park’s thoughtful yet relatable lyricism strikes an emotional chord within listeners while remaining catchy enough to sing along to. Personal Favorite: “Pegasus (ft. Phoebe Bridgers)” is one of Parks’ chiller tracks, but “Too Good” is a great bop if you’re looking for something more upbeat.
Saturn 17
For any indie lovers, look no further than the rising duo Saturn 17. The duo brags a succinctly indie sound, characterized by punchy guitar lines and dreamy synths. Their bedroom-pop jams feature a beachy, West Coast twist inspired by their residence in Los Angeles. Personal Favorite: I firmly believe that all indie lovers should listen to their debut single “could this be love?”
Mom Jeans
Midwest emo fans are probably already aware of Mom Jeans’ presence in the indie rock sphere, but may not be aware that front-person Eric Butler identifies as nonbinary and has taken to advocating for more queer-led bands. Mom Jeans’ first full-length album Best Buds is notorious for its catchy yet melancholic acoustic rock sound, all hidden behind quirky titles such as “*Sobs Quietly*”. Recently, in more upbeat releases like “Tie Dye Acid Trip”, Butler’s voice continues to capture the pain behind relatable stories of love and life. Personal Favorite: I’ve cried to “Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA” more times than I care to admit.
Lena Raine
If ambient music is more your vibe, you’re probably already familiar with the work of Lena Raine, a composer who’s made soundtracks for various popular shows and video games. Her work has been featured in indie games such as Celeste, Deltarune, and Minecraft, as well as films such as Steven Universe: The Movie. Personal Favorite: the Celeste soundtrack goes pretty hard while studying, in my opinion.
Hopefully, you’ve added some of these artists to your listening list or discovered some of your very own favorite queer artists to listen to this October. But remember, October isn’t just LGBTQ+ History Month — it’s also the last month that goes into this year’s Spotify Wrapped. So get those jams in, folks.
