15 LGBTQ+ Albums Were Looking Forward To This Fall
It already feels like the year of the monolith for gay musicians, and as we head into fall, 2023 shows no signs of slowing down. Our playlists are released monthly ensuring LGBTQ+ artists are at the forefront. Whether you listen to pop, dance, rap, indie rock, R&B, electro or experimental music, LGBT people are moving forward. This fall, you can expect a series of multi-genre experiments alongside timeless albums and impressive debuts from well-known artists.
The floods come in September shortly after winter ends. Romy Croft of XX fame will release her highly anticipated solo album Mid Air earlier this month, featuring the tearjerker dance tracks 'Lover' and 'Stronger'. Chicago-based singer-songwriter Jamila Wood brings a dose of liquid serenity to We Made Water this October. And in November, Dolly Parton asked gay artists to help her cover some of rock's most iconic songs. Check out these and other exciting fall releases below:
King - Angamel (8 September)
After his breakthrough album in 2020, musician Angimil Chitampa released his new record , The King, via 4AD. Chitampa said in his artistic statement, " Muti is an album of prayers and Raja is an album of curses". The new album, with its baroque and choral sounds, marks an ominous tonal shift for Angemile, reflecting the anger, fear and confusion of our present.
Moderate Air - Rome (September 8)
After the release of Romy Croft's debut album in 2020, fans of The XX indie pop star are eagerly awaiting the release of the singer's debut album. Three years later Med Air arrived. Free from soulful minimalism, the record is a Eurodance masterpiece that does not betray Croft's signature romanticism.
Updated - Demi Lovato (September 15)
Following their visit to S. Fvik , which features rock versions of Lovato classics, released the singer-exclusive Revamped, a full-length album with a rock take. "Breathing new life into the songs that have played such a huge role in my career has made me feel closer to my music than ever before," Lovato wrote on Twitter. To make sure they didn't hang around in the bush, Lovato enlisted Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash to cover "Sorry Not Sorry" from her 2017 album Tell Me Tell Me . The combination of the heavy metal vibe with Lovato's powerful vocals makes for a truly inspiring song.
Sweet Conflict - Lauren James (September 22)
Glitch provocateur Lauren James will release her new album Gentle Confrontation via Hyperdub in September. Known for their stripped-down and often heavy electronic compositions, their new album veers into softer territory with references to the emo-tronic bands of their youth like DNTL. On "2003," James sings earnestly as Animal Collective, recalling her experiences on the music circuit in the 2000s. If it's true that what's old is new again, Lauren James could be at the forefront of a new twee-tronic revolution .
Dream Big - LSDXOXO (September 22nd)
Immortal LSDXO released their Fantasy Audio Group (FAG) label earlier this year with a new mini-album titled Delusion of Grandeur (DOG). Lead single "Double Tap" leads into a dark industrial techno track reminiscent of Miss Kitty. And hopefully hacker LSDXOXO will return in 2023 to crack an electric roar.
Stress - Kylie Minogue (September 22)
Favorite singer Kylie Minogue needs no introduction. His latest hit, Badam Badam, took pride of place this summer. Her upcoming 16th studio album, Tension , will be released on September 22 and is the perfect follow-up to Minogue's extensive body of work, Glamorous CEO of 2020, Disco . Minogue may not be gay either, but she maintains her status as a beloved LGBTQ+ icon.
Starfucker - Slytherin (September 22)
Bisexual pop star Slater has released her second album, Starfacker , an album "about the loss of love and the pursuit of fame that feels like a pop dream sequence." The first single from the forthcoming album, Miss Belladonna, is a star-studded single that marks Slater's rise to Hollywood stardom.
Fanfare - Dorian Electra (October 6)
Queer hyperpop duo Dorian Electra to release their new album Fanfare in October According to the press release, the new record challenges "what we expect — or want" from audiences. Their new single, titled "Anon," adds some haunting guitars to Elektra's hyperpop palette, exploring the ultimate connection to the internet.
If You Want, I'll Be Good - Mickey Razzola (October 6)
Indie trance duo Mickey Ratzula will release their second album I'd Better Looking For You in October. The Southern California musician's debut single "If I Blame Myself" is a pop rock ballad that effortlessly combines soulful lyrics with a uptempo rhythm. More big things are in store for Ratsula when she joins Australian drummer G Flip on tour this fall.
Honey Pot Hand - The Open City (October 6)
Queer punk label and hardcore label Get Better Records has been at the forefront of releasing some of the hottest and most emotional albums from LGBTQ+ artists. Honey will be thrown into Open City's bowl of sharp hands on October 6th. Led by Rachel Rubino, lead singer of Bridges & Cave, the Philadelphia band's motto, "Reclaim Your Stolen Property," is a brutal way to take responsibility and engage in the atrocities of generations past.
We Made Water - Jamila Woods (October 13)
Jamila Woods' forthcoming third album We Made Water is inspired by Toni Morrison's quote about the Mississippi River: "Any water has a perfect memory and is always trying to get it back." It's fitting, since the Chicago singer-songwriter's new album is all about self-reflection and coming home. On lead single "Little Paradise," Woods sings with refreshing ease, letting the proud R&B track flow like a stream of water.
Give Each Other Something - Troye Sivan (October 13)
Australian pop star Troye Sivan, who debuted his new role as Xander on Sam Levinson's controversial HBO series , is playing the '90s Rush anthem from his upcoming third studio album. According to the artist, the song is about "kissing a sweaty stranger on the dance floor, a two-hour weekend date, a breakup, winter, summer." And if the sexy accompanying music video is any preview of what we can expect from Sivan's next record, I guess the summer heat is about to subside.
The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess - Ron Chapple (September 22)
It's always exciting to see a pop star on the verge of breaking up. This September, many people will learn the name Chapelle Royan. Earlier this year, Rohan killed us with his single "Red Wine Supernova," which featured his yodeling vocals. The rising star will release his highly anticipated debut album , The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess, on Island Records. “Four years later, my 14-track album explores my true self and fearlessly embraces weirdness,” the Million Hair singer said in a statement. Without a doubt, Midwest Princess has to be the most exciting queer album of the year.
Johnny - Drums (October 13)
Indie-pop favorite Johnny Pearce, who has been releasing contemporary bubblegum popper The Drums since 2010, will release his sixth studio album in October, titled Johnny . The record is a return to Pearce's softer side after 2019's brutal pop experimentation. "I Want It All," from the forthcoming album, showcases Pierce's signature rock-rock guitar riffs and bel boy, all lifted by a powerful new wave beat. Hurry up and release this Johnny album because we all want it.
Rockstar - Dolly Parton (November 17)
The only thing Dolly Parton is known for is great things, and the legendary actress won't disappoint in her first foray into rock music with her upcoming 47th studio album, Rockstar. The gorgeous co-star and beloved country legend has released the Queen singles 'We Are The Champions' and 'We Will Rock You' from her much-anticipated album. Needless to say, he got it right in Freddie Mercury. A younger vocalist would be hard pressed to pull off these two groovy tracks, but Parton's light ballad adds a refreshing edge to this classic gymnast. The 30-track album features collaborations with some of rock and roll luminaries such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Joan Jett, as well as several LGBTQ+ artists including The Reverend Rob Halford, Brandi Carlisle and Elton John.
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