Pride Month is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a playlist that captures the spirit, resilience, and joy of the LGBTQ+ community? Queer Voices: PRIDE 2024 is a collection of songs released over the last year by LGBTQ+ artists and allies—tracks that lifted us up, made us dance, and kept us going through the highs and lows. Each of these songs carries a unique energy, from anthems of resistance to pure, unfiltered queer joy. Here’s why they made the cut:
1. “Houdini” – Dua Lipa
Album: Single
Why it made the cut: Dua Lipa’s hypnotic dance track is a perfect way to open this playlist. With its pulsating beat and empowering lyrics about escaping and reclaiming oneself, “Houdini” resonates with the LGBTQ+ experience of self-discovery and freedom.
2. “One of Your Girls” – Troye Sivan
Album: Something to Give Each Other
Why it made the cut: A sultry, gender-bending track that explores desire and fluidity, Troye Sivan’s “One of Your Girls” is both a heartbreaker and a club essential. Plus, the video—where Sivan transforms into full femme fantasy—was an iconic moment of queer artistry.
3. “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
Album: Short n’ Sweet
Why it made the cut: This flirty, high-energy bop became an instant LGBTQ+ favorite. With its cheeky lyrics and caffeinated confidence, “Espresso” is the kind of song you blast while getting ready for a Pride night out.
4. “Not Strong Enough” – boygenius
Album: The Record
Why it made the cut: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus deliver raw vulnerability in this alt-rock anthem. The song’s themes of self-doubt and yearning for connection resonate deeply within the queer experience.
5. “Who He Iz” – Kaytraminé
Album: Kaytraminé
Why it made the cut: This genre-blending track fuses hip-hop and electronic vibes, offering a fresh, danceable moment that celebrates identity and confidence.
6. “Guess” – Charli XCX & Billie Eilish
Album: Single
Why it made the cut: A powerhouse collaboration, this track is pure pop adrenaline. Charli XCX has long been a queer icon, and “Guess” continues her streak of delivering high-energy anthems perfect for Pride festivities.
7. “My Forever” – SOPHIE ft. Cecile Believe
Album: SOPHIE (posthumous release)
Why it made the cut: SOPHIE’s influence on hyperpop and electronic music is immeasurable. “My Forever” is a bittersweet inclusion—honoring the late trans producer’s legacy while celebrating the boundless creativity she brought to the queer music landscape.
8. “Bloodlust” – LSDXOXO
Album: DOGMA
Why it made the cut: Dark, sultry, and dripping with underground club energy, “Bloodlust” is a reminder of how queer spaces have long been a refuge for self-expression through music and dance.
9. “Rim Job” – Kim Petras
Album: Slut Pop Miami (EP)
Why it made the cut: Kim Petras delivers pure, unapologetic camp with this cheeky and provocative banger. It’s a song that embraces queer sexuality with humor and confidence—perfect for a Pride celebration.
10. “Sadness as a Gift” – Adrianne Lenker
Album: Bright Future
Why it made the cut: Deeply introspective and poetic, this folk-driven track speaks to the complexities of queer love and loss.
11. “Lover’s Spit Plays in the Background” – Claire Rousay
Album: Sentiment
Why it made the cut: A dreamy, atmospheric take on a queer classic, this song evokes nostalgia, intimacy, and queer storytelling at its best.
12. “Balloon” – Tyler, The Creator & Doechii
Album: CHROMAKOPIA
Why it made the cut: Tyler, The Creator’s fluid approach to genre and identity shines in this playful yet introspective track, with Doechii’s energy adding an exciting new layer.
13. “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other” – Orville Peck & Willie Nelson
Album: Single
Why it made the cut: A stunning cover of the queer cowboy classic, Orville Peck and Willie Nelson bring a heartfelt, twangy charm to this song about love in unexpected places.
This playlist is more than just a collection of great tracks—it’s a reflection of the past year in queer music, culture, and activism. Through moments of celebration, protest, and resilience, these songs have been our soundtrack. So turn up the volume, hit play, and let the music carry you through this Pride season!
What are your favorite tracks from the past year? Let us know in the comments or tag us with your own Pride playlists!
