The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to make the yuletide gay! We’re proud to present the latest edition of Queer Necessities, our monthly LGBTQ-driven playlist from Billboard Pride where we catch you up on the latest and greatest bops by queer musicians and fierce allies.
Each month’s selections will be curated by NYC-based DJ and tastemaker Jon ALi, who is the founder of pop music entertainment destination Jon ALi’s Blog. Don’t forget to follow Queer Necessities on Spotify to keep up-to-date on the best musical offerings from the LGBTQ community.
Greyson Chance, “Boots”
Less than a year has passed since the release of his album Potraits, and Greyson Chance is already back at it with a swaggering, rock-edged pop jam that sees him celebrating a bit of his Western roots.
Trending on Billboard
Neon Trees, “Used To Like”
Neon Trees are back from their hiatus with “Used To Like,” a soaring anthem that emerges as a mature new extension of their signature shimmering rock with perfect pop sensibility.
Carlie Hanson, “Side Effects”
Carlie Hanson’s latest pop escape “Side Effects” finds her unexpectedly catching feelings after diving into new love with a decidedly no-strings-attached attitude.
Bronze Avery, “Messy”
Retrospect, the debut EP from Bronze Avery, is jam-packed with pop gems — but it’s the undeniable “Messy” that is ready for its big soundtrack moment.
Jake Germain, “Heart in 2”
Indie newcomer Jake Germain continues to impress with his latest pop confessional “Heart in 2,” a thrilling pop shape-shifter that serves as one of his most vulnerable yet.
Elah Hale, “Posters”
NYC-based songstress Elah Hale breaks free from all of life’s many worries on her dreamy new slice of self-care, “Posters,” a song she says is about “the freedom of separation, taking space and saying, ‘Hey I’m focusing on me now.’”
La Roux, “International Woman of Leisure”
Electro-pop superstar La Roux’s first new song in five years, “International Woman of Leisure,” is a shimmering ‘80’s-esque thriller billed as “a playful riposte to the debonair lifestyle of male privilege but also, crucially, meant as an anthem about not taking any more shit.”
Tom Aspaul, “Close 2 Me”
London singer Tom Aspaul’s latest Black Country Disco teaser “Close 2 Me” finds him tackling a bit of imposter syndrome with yet another impressive blend of pop, disco and even some country-lite sonics.
Jodie Harsh, “Tuesday”
British DJ and producer Jodie Harsh has teamed up with SOPHIE to co-write her latest banger “Tuesday,” which is sure to keep you dancing well into the new year with its unstoppable disco-pop pulse.
Melanie C, “High Heels (feat. Sink in the Pink)”
Melanie C, a.k.a. the Spice Girls’ Sporty Spice, is celebrating freedom of expression in her new dance-pop single “High Heels,” which features the U.K. LGBTQ collective, Sink The Pink.
Captain Cuts & Parson James, “Heat”
Linking with the pure talent that is Parson James, DJ trio Captain Cuts lay down an array of thunderous disco handclaps and neon-soaked bass under a powerhouse vocal performance.
Pennywild, “Footsteps”
DJ/producer Pennywild’s latest club-filler “Footsteps” is a pulsating bass knocker that sees her highlighting the underground queer scene with a variety of caption-ready phrases laced throughout the production.
Big Freedia, “Louder (feat. Icona Pop)”
Big Freedia has teamed up with “I Love It” duo Icona Pop for a killer new single called “Louder,” a strong (and yes, loud) declaration of their mighty and unstoppable presence.
Kyan Palmer & nicopop, “Somebody to Someone”
Dynamic duo Kyan Palmer and nicopop are finally ready to bless us with their full-length project, It’s Called Branding, Sweetie — and the slick track “Somebody to Someone” is a very reassuring taste of what’s left to come.
Dai Burger & Baja Frequencia, “Vitamin P”
Brooklyn rapper Dai Burger delivers the fierce, female empowerment nourishment with need with her latest banger “Vitamin P,” featuring Baja Frequencia.
The Nico Show, “Look at Me (feat. Tokeyo)”
New indie queer talent The Nico Show kicks things off impressively with his confident “Look at Me,” which features a fierce standout verse from rapper Tokeyo.
Desiire, “Light Down Low”
Desiire returns with one of his most impressive outputs to date, “Light Down Low,” a smooth and hypnotic electro-R&B escape made for repeated late-night listens.
Cowboy Black, “Hosting”
A clear standout from Cowboy Black’s self-titled debut EP, “Hosting” is a complex yet focused production that conjures a calming kind of sensual-like meditation. The singer-producer places his understated soulful vocals against ambient textures and a thrilling electro-R&B thump.
SXMSON, “Smile”
London native SXMSON leaves his emotions bare on his most personal release yet, “Smile,” which doubles as a reminder that you can never really tell when someone is going through a really difficult time.
Brad Gibson, “What If We”
Brad Gibson, the Broadway star currently playing Simba in Disney’s The Lion King, dives into his music career with ease on his first original release “What If We,” an Afrobeats-driven bop.
Pat Reilly, “Adorable”
NYC-based indie talent Pat Reilly pleads for some respect and honesty on his impressive synth-pop confessional “Adorable,” a clear favorite from his Hissyfit double release.
Paul Usher, “Never Gonna Leave Him”
Manchester-based singer-songwriter Paul Usher finds him in a bit of a love limbo as he runs into an ex with a new flame on his crying-on-the-dancefloor anthem, “Never Gonna Leave Him.”
Ieuan, “Key Your Car”
Like it’s title suggests, the latest from Ieuan finds him releasing his frustrations on this cheeky, angsty pop anthem about unrequited love.
Myylo & Jordy, “Tuck Your Head Under the Covers”
Up-and-coming pop talents Myylo and Jordy join forces on “Tuck Your Head Under the Covers,” a beautifully devastating tune that focuses on issues of isolation that arise with the exploration of one’s sexuality and identity — resulting in some rather comforting musical medicine for all members of the LGBTQ family.
Thomas, “Hold Me”
On “Hold Me,” newly rebranded talent Thomas supplies majestic greatness wrapped in airy synth-pop with dream-like sensibilities. The song feels fiercely romantic, nostalgic and melancholy all at once.
Mary Lambert, “Write You A Song”
“Write You A Song,” a clear standout from Mary Lambert’s new album Grief Creature, is a blissful and joyful rush that sees her finding her peace in that special someone. It’s that love rush feeling captured in song form.
Peter Thomas, “View”
Singer-songwriter-producer Peter Thomas offers up a chance for a proper cry with his latest pop escape “View,” a devastatingly beautiful and heartbreaking diary-like entry that anyone post-breakup can relate to.
A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera, “Fall On Me”
“Say Something” hit-making team Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World have joined forces yet again for another healing, tear-jerking ballad.
Check out past Queer Necessities playlists below:
November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
Jon ALi is a NYC-based DJ and founder of pop music entertainment destination Jon ALi’s Blog, which celebrates its 13-year anniversary this year. He spends his weekends spinning tunes at gay spots in Manhattan.