LGBTQ+ Artists Who Released Bangers In 2023

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[December Update]: I'd like to apologize in advance for the big gap in updates. So much has happened in music by LGBTQ+ artists since then.

Troye Sivan dropped his album Something To Give Each Other and got nominated for a Grammy, Chappell Roan dropped her debut album and is opening up for Olivia Rodrigo on the GUTS World Tour, Kim Petras surprise dropped her scrapped debut album Problematíque, Billy Porter dropped his album The Black Mona Lisa, Sam Smith teamed up with Charli XCX, Slayyyter's new album STARF*CKER spawned bops that are already becoming go-to tracks for a night out, and that's just scratching the surface. This article also led me to Australia-based musician Chela, whose singles "Cool 2B Queer" and "Hard 4 You" should be Pride staples from here on out. All that to say, the artists featured on this list gave us a lot to celebrate and dance to throughout another difficult trip around the sun and I can't wait to start a new list in 2024.

Keep scrolling to see all of the bangers we were treated to in 2023. I've also added new singles that were released before December 14th by artists like TR/ST, Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief, Dove Cameron, Marika Hackman, and more!

[August Update]: We have fresh new releases from the likes of Chappell Roan, Shamir, G Flip, Mykki Blanco, Reneé Rapp, Slayyyter, Anitta, and more including another Sam Smith collab! Added to the top of this ever-growing article for your convenience!

[July Update]: Keep scrolling for new tunes by Troye Sivan, Chela, Kim Petras, David Archuleta, Becca Mancari, Claud, and more!

Pride Month 2023 has officially kicked off and that means I get to write about all of the trailblazing artists that don't get played on mainstream radio. This year's festivities feel a bit tenuous with all of the legislature attacking LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender youth and drag performers, in America. The goal of these bills is to force queer people back into hiding and repression, further muddling the nation's LGBTQ+ history.

Luckily, countless queer artists are speaking out in response to these attacks, living their lives out loud and proud, and making truly excellent music in the process. I promise you, once you hear these newly released songs from artists like MUNA, Arlo Parks, Hayley Kiyoko (who's performing at this year's Can't Cancel Pride on June 15th, by the way), Chappell Roan, Janelle Monáe, and many more, you'll be adding them to your daily rotation. Here are some of my favorite LGBTQ+ artists who have released absolute bangers in 2023 so far!

P.S. Keep this article bookmarked and come back when you need to infuse some queer joy into your musical diet. I'll keep adding to this list as Pride Month and the rest of the year continues. Whatever you get up to this June, take care of each other and have fun. Happy Pride!

"ruined" - Adrianne Lenker

"Slime" - Marika Hackman

From the forthcoming album Big Sigh. Out January 12, 2024. Listen to "Slime" and her previously released singles on iHeartRadio!

"Robrash" - TR/ST

"In the City" - Charli XCX & Sam Smith

"Drain Me!" - Towa Bird

"Say It Like You Mean It" - Sleater-Kinney

From their upcoming album Little Rope, out January 19th, 2024!

"Brittle" - Dove Armitage

From the new EP Concernless, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"White Glove" - Dove Cameron

From the first part of her debut album Alchemical: Volume 1, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"HOT TO GO!" - Chappell Roan

From her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Obsession" - Shamir

Off their new album Homo Anxietatem. Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Children (What Time It Is) feat. Lady Blackbird" - Billy Porter

From his new album The Black Mona Lisa

"Pretty Girls" - Reneé Rap

Off her debut album Snow Angel. Listen on iHeartRadio!

"You People Freak Me Out" - Tash Sultana

Off their new EP SUGAR. Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Used To Be" - Anitta

Off her new EP Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story. Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Snakelife" - Allison Russell

From her new album The Returner, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Erotic Electronic" - Slayyyter

From her forthcoming album STARF*CKER, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Holidays In The Sun" - Mykki Blanco

Off their new EP Postcards from Italia, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Real Life" - G Flip

Off her new album Drummer! Listen on iHeartRadio

"Desire" - Sam Smith with Calvin Harris

"One That Got Away" - MUNA

"A Good Thing" - Claud

"Hard 4 You" - Chela

"Don't Even Worry" [ft. Brittany Howard] - Becca Mancari

Off their new album Left Hand, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"I'm Yours" - David Archuleta

"King Of Hearts" - Kim Petras

Off her new album Feed the Beast. Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Lipstick Lover" - Janelle Monáe

Off her new album The Age of Pleasure, out now! Listen on iHeartRadio!

"VULGAR" - Sam Smith & Madonna

"Lick the light out (feat. Madonna)" - Christine and the Queens

Off his new album PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE' Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Out Of Time" - Slayyyter

"Greenlight" - Hayley Kiyoko

"Blades" - Arlo Parks

Every song on Parks' new album My Soft Machine is a standout. Listen here!

"Mystery" - Raveena

Off her 2022 album Asha's Awakening. Listen here!

"GAY BARZ (CYPHER)" - Bob the Drag Queen

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 winner, and soon-to-be opener for Madonna, changed the game with his February EP GAY BARZ. Listen here!

"Tears Can Be So Soft" - Christine and the Queens

Off his new album PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE' Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Not Strong Enough" - boygenius (aka Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Phoebe Bridgers)

Off their triumphant return the record. Listen here!

"Lord Have Mercy" - Durand Jones

Off his new solo album Wait Til I Get Over. Listen here!

"Cheerleader" - Liza Anne

"Red Wine Supernova" - Chappell Roan

"Alone (feat. Nicki Minaj)" - Kim Petras

"We're All Gonna Die ft. Noah Kahan" - Joy Oladokun

Off her new album Proof Of Life. Listen here!

"Crumbs" - Rebecca Black

From her debut album Let Her Burn. Listen here!

"Over And Over" - Becca Mancari

"Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous" - Trixie Mattel

"Яitual" - Arca

"Pinot Noir" - Saucy Santana feature on IDK's latest single

"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" - Adam Lambert x Sigala

Lambert soars on this cover of Sylvester's classic disco hit. Also, check out his new album High Drama here!

"What It Is" - Doechii

Be sure to check out her major label debut EP She / Her / Black Bitch here!

"Julia Fox" - Bebi Monsuta

"Use Me (Brutal Hearts)" - Dove Cameron feature on Diplo's new single

"Off the Record" - Kodie Shane

"4EVA" - KAYTRANADA with Aminé and Pharrell Williams

"NO B!TCH" - Todrick Hall

Off his new album Roach Killaz. Listen here!

"Enjoy Your Life" - Romy

Off her debut solo album, Mid Air. Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Plastic Envelope" / "Protect Him Always" & "Obvious" - The Drums

"Fashion" - Billy Porter

"I'm Not Here To Make Friends" - Sam Smith

From their new album GLORIA. Listen here!

"When We Dance" - PHENIX

"Loveher" - Romy

"CGI" - corook

Off their new ep serious person (part 1). Find out if they're coming to a city near you!

"Oversized Sweater" - Shamir

Of their upcoming album Homo Anxietatem, Listen on iHeartRadio!

"Oh The Glamour" - Aluna, Pabllo Vittar, MNEK, Eden Prince

"Dream Girl" - Baby Queen

"Because Of You (The Pride Edition)" - Gustaph

"That Kind Of Woman" - The Scarlet Opera


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